Prayer Opportunities

Commissioning Mass – October 10th, 7 pm

Kathy Parish Activities, Prayer Opportunities

This is an invitation for you to join us at St. Genevieve/Maurice Church on October 10th at 7 pm for the commissioning Mass, for the “Mother of Divine Love” Family of Parishes. Bishop Gerard Battersby will be the main celebrant and will celebrate the Rite of Commissioning for our Family of Parishes. This public recognition is a significant event in the Archdiocese of Detroit’s transition to Families of Parishes to become a more missionary archdiocese.

During this Mass, after the homily, Bishop Battersby will present the Deacons who serve in the Family of Parishes to the Priests, followed by presentation of the parish representatives to the Priests in Solidum. Then the Priests in Solidum will be making a Profession of Faith and an Oath of Fidelity to serve our Lord, the Church, and each member of this Family of Parishes. It is a responsibility that we as priests will be commissioned to do. Your prayers and your presence to support your priest in this endeavor is very much appreciated. So don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to come together under one roof as a Family for this beautiful celebration.

So, see you there on October 10th, 7 pm @ St. Genevieve/Maurice Church.

 

October: Our Lady of the Rosary

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7th. It was instituted to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful.

The development of the rosary has a long history. First, a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Mary’s. Soon a mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary’s giving the rosary to St. Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as “the apostle of the rosary.” He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century the rosary was developed to its present form—with the 15 mysteries (joyful, sorrowful and glorious). In 2002, Pope St. John Paul II added five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.

In this month of October, let us consider this beautiful prayer of the Rosary as a means that we too can use in order to draw closer to Jesus and Mary by meditating on the great mysteries of our salvation.

Friday, October 13, Evening Mass

October 13th is annually celebrated as the date of our Blessed Mother’s final public appearance to the shepherd children of Fatima and the occurrence of the “Miracle of the Sun” (October 13, 1918).

In honor of Our Lady of Fatima we will have Mass in the evening on Friday, October 13 at St. Valentine Church. There will be No Mass in the morning. We will begin at 6 pm by saying the rosary, followed by a short procession and Mass. Please plan on joining us. We need to have more devotions like these to receive more graces for us, our families and for our world.

 

The Miracle of Fatima

Kathy Prayer Opportunities
There are many devotions to Mary, the Mother of God. Consider the many titles that have been bestowed upon her – Mother Mary, Lady of Loretto, Immaculate Conception, Queen of the Rosary, Queen of Heaven, Virgin of Guadalupe, Our Lady of La Vang – the list is long. Starting in May, St. Valentine will begin a six–month devotion to one of the more well–known images of Mary, Our Lady of Fatima. 

On October 13, 1917, in the Portuguese town of Fátima, three children, Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were visited by an apparition of the Virgin Mary. She urged them to pray, to dedicate themselves to the rosary, and through these actions they could bring about an end to the war then ravaging Europe. A 2020 movie, titled Fatima. tells their story. It is a powerful and uplifting drama about the power of faith in three children who reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary. The year 1917 saw the western world in turmoil. Portugal sent troops into WWI in February, the war caused widespread poverty and death and over 50 million people worldwide died of starvation and the Influenza pandemic. The children’s revelations inspired believers at the time but also angered officials of both the Church and secular government, who try to force them to recant their story. As word of their prophecy spreads, tens of thousands of religious pilgrims flock to the site hoping to witness a miracle. What they experience will change their lives forever.

As a way to prepare for a 6–month Fatima devotion, St. Val’s Worship Commission will be showing the movie Fatima on Wednesday, May 10. The evening begins with pizza and salad, served at 6 pm; followed by the movie at 6:30 pm; and will close with a brief discussion after the movie. Please call the Rectory Office at 313.532.4394 by Tuesday, May 9th, to let us know you are coming and how many will attend. Your RSVP will help us ensure we have sufficient food.


On Saturday, May 13th, and continuing on the 13th day of every month until October, we will continue our 6–month devotion by coming together to pray the rosary and remember the promises of Fatima – “that prayer and sacrifice will lead to peace and an end of the war”. Much like during Fatima’s time, our society is experiencing increased violence, wars, destruction, and death. It is our hope that we, too, can see the fulfillment of the promises of Fatima in our lifetime. We look forward to seeing you at the movie on May 10th and at as many of the monthly rosaries as you are able to attend.