This coming week we have a wonderful opportunity to take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as we will have the Advent Penance Service on December 12^th at St. Valentine Church. This service will begin at 7 p.m. with a little preparation followed by individual confession.

Besides Fr. Kishore and myself there will be Fr. Rick Hartmann and Fr. Sal Briffa from the Clergy Village and Fr. Pat Brennan from St. Paul of the Cross. Advent is a good time to heal all that keeps us from experiencing the divine love and mercy.

A Christmas Gift for Your Parish

 I have mentioned it several times how I love being a priest and as a priest I have also mentioned how I dislike asking for money. While I firmly believe in the priority of spirituality over materialism, every year before Christmas I have to ask this of you because it’s something necessary for the parish. So here I come to remind you how important it is to make a generous gift to the parish at Christmas. The Archdiocese gives all parishes a special exemption from the 7% diocese assessment for the Christmas collection, so your Christmas contribution stays right here. And I assure you that every dollar you contribute will be used for the good and betterment of St Valentine  parish community. Thank you for your generosity this Christmas as well as throughout the year.

Fr. Socorro

For Families and Individuals

Prayer is the most powerful way each of us can prepare our hearts and minds to recognize Jesus in each of the people we will encounter at Christmas, and to extend his love and mercy to them. The following are suggestions for ways to pray as families and as individuals during Advent and beyond.

· Read and pray with Luke 2 and discuss how Mary and Joseph went from place to place in hope of being welcomed in Bethlehem, but could not find a room. Pray for the grace to welcome those they do not know, share their seats, smile, and encourage conversation.

· Pray for God’s grace to connect with a family who comes at Christmas, and to welcome them with radical hospitality.

· Pray for the courage to invite another family (or individual) to a Christmas liturgy.

· Pray intentionally for those who wills serve as liturgical ministers at the Christmas liturgies, for those who will assume particular hospitality roles, and for those who will attend the Christmas liturgies.

· For all Saturday/Sunday liturgies during Advent, invite parishioners to pray and fast for the guests who will attend the Christmas liturgies.

· Pray for protection for the parish during the Christmas liturgies. Ask the Lord to place a “hedge of protection” around the parish grounds, the building, all staff, parishioners, and guests: “Lord, place a hedge of protection around our parish grounds, the church building, all of our parishioners, and those who will join us for Christmas. Keep in what is holy and is of you, and cast out what is not. We ask this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.”

Taken from The AOD Radically Mission-Oriented Christmas Playbook

This Sunday we begin a series of seven Sunday Gospel readings from Mark’s account of the journey of Jesus and his disciples from northern Galilee to Jerusalem. Along the way Jesus gave
instructions about his identity and what it meant to follow him (discipleship). In training his disciples,Jesus realized that if his disciples did not know who he really was, then his entire ministry,suffering and death would be useless. Hence, he decided to ask a question in two parts. The first question: “who do people say that I am? Their answer was, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” The second question: “who do you say that I am?”or what is your personal opinion?” For the first time in their relationship, Peter, speaking for the other disciples, declared publicly: “You are the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the living God.” Peter was the first apostle to recognize Jesus publicly as the Anointed One, the Messiah. However, Jesus was quick to explain to the disciples that he was not a political Messiah who would re-establish the Davidic kingdom after ousting the Romans. Instead, he was the Messiah who would redeem mankind by his suffering, death and Resurrection. Then we see Peter trying to dissuade Jesus from such a course. Jesus makes use of this situation and addresses to wider audience of the crowd and explains the three conditions to his disciple. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus lays down three conditions of discipleship. Denying self: This means, with God’s grace, evicting selfish thoughts, evil desires and tendencies from our heart and filling it with God. Carrying of the cross with Jesus: The cross always means pain and suffering. Our sufferings become the cross of Jesus with its saving power when we suffer with him by dying to our self-centeredness through serving others selflessly, enduring physical or mental pain and illness without complaint. Following Jesus: This means that, as followers of Christ, we should live our lives according to the word of God, by obeying what is commanded by Jesus.  What does Jesus mean to me? Founder of a religion? Revolutionary Jewish reformer? One of the great teachers? “How do I really see Jesus? Is Jesus a living experience for me, walking with me, loving me, forgiving me, helping me and transforming my life and outlook?

Fr. Kishore Battu SAC

Having received from the Lord the charge to heal the sick, the Church strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick; and accompanying them with her prayer of intercession.

 Above all, the Church possesses a sacrament specifically intended for the benefit of the sick – the “Sacrament of Anointing”. It was instituted by Christ and is attested to by Saint James:

 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14-15).

 During the regularly scheduled, 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, September 29th, our parish will be offering the “Sacrament of Anointing”. This sacrament is intended for:

· Anyone who is seriously ill, including seriously sick children who are old enough to experience the sacramental benefits;

· Individuals about to undergo surgery due to a serious illness;

· The elderly, suffering the maladies of old age; and

· All individuals who are chronically ill or permanently disabled.

 If you, or a family member, fit any of the descriptions above, we encourage you to register your name; attend this Mass; and receive an anointing. All you need do is:

 Call the Rectory Office (313) 532-4394;

 Register your name by Wednesday, September 26th;

And attend the Mass on September 29th.

Part of God’s plan for each of us is that we should fight strenuously against all sickness; and carefully seek His blessings for good health. This special Mass on September 29, along with the Sacrament of Anointing, provide an opportunity to do just that.

– St. Valentine Worship Commission