Priest Convocation

 On October 13th after our Sunday duties, most of the priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit will be heading towards Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan to take part in the Convocation which will be from Sunday, October 13 through Thursday, October 17.

The theme for this Convocation will be Unleash the Gospel: Sent on Mission. Cardinal Joseph Tobin will be the main presenter and Archbishop Michael Byrnes will be the spiritual director for this year’s convocation.

 Fr. Kishore and I will be attending the Convocation as well. There will be changes in the daily Mass schedule as I am not able to get help to fill in. There is no Mass at Val’s or OLL on Monday, October 14. On Tuesday, October 15, there is no Mass at St. Val’s but a Communion Service will be held at OLL  at 8:30 a.m. followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction at 6.45 p.m. There will be Mass on Thursday, October 17 at St. Val’s School Chapel. Fr. John Wheeler will be the celebrant, but there is no Mass at OLL. On Friday, October 18 we will have Mass at both parishes, 8.30 a.m. at OLL and 8.15 a.m. an All School Mass at St. Val’s.

 Thursday October 17 through Sunday October 20 all the Deacons will be attending the Convocation at the same place. Please remember to keep us in your prayers and be assured of our prayers for you.

 Kindly take note of the changes in the Mass schedule for that week.

 Thank you and God bless you.

Fr. Socorro


Diaconate Program Information Night:

Are you being called to the Diaconate Program? An information night will be held on Wednesday, November 13th at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak.


Rosary Coast to Coast: October 13th 4 p.m.
Join your fellow “prayer warriors” from around the nation as we pray for peace in our nation and our world at the Detroit Renaissance Center on the Riverwalk.

MASS OF ANOINTING – SEPTEMBER 28

The Lord instructed the Apostles to heal the sick; and the Church strives to carry out His instruction by taking care of the sick and accompanying them with prayers of intercession.

 One way the Church does this is through a very special sacrament, one intended for the benefit of all who are sick – the “Sacrament of Anointing”. This sacrament, instituted by Christ, 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 our regularly scheduled, 5:00pm Mass, on Saturday, September 28, our parish will be offering the “Sacrament of Anointing”.

 We wish to encourage parishioners to receive this sacrament. Often, people are reluctant because they believe “the sacrament is only intended for those who are dying”. Be assured, that IS NOT the case. While the Sacrament of Anointing is given to those who are dying, it is also meant to be given to individuals who are:

· Seriously ill, including children old enough to experience the sacramental benefits;

· About to undergo surgery, due to a serious illness;

· Elderly and suffering the maladies of old age;

· Chronically ill or permanently disabled.

    So, if you, or a family member, fit any of the descriptions above:

CALL THE RECTORY OFFICE AT (313) 532-4394; REGISTER YOUR NAME BY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25; AND ATTEND THE 5pm MASS ON SEPTEMBER 28.

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 28, along with the Sacrament of Anointing, provide all of us an opportunity to do just that.

– St. Valentine Worship Commission

Feast of the Holy Family

This weekend the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This feast reminds us especially of the role of the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph in God’s plan of salvation for us. These principal figures, the Holy Family, continue to inspire us and guide us in their faithfulness to the will of God and their loving fidelity to our New Born Savior. Let us ask the Holy Family to pray for all families, especially those most in need.

Here’s a beautiful prayer I found which can be said as a family on this feast day.

 Good and Gracious God, from the very beginning of time you made man and woman to live in loving relationship with you and one another. The family, created to be a reflection of your fruitful love, is meant to continue your mission of love in the world. Be with us today as we reflect on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, who are models of faith for each of us. Help our families to be holy, even in the midst of struggles and challenges, knowing wherever two or three are gathered in your name, you are present. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.


Happy New Year!

January 1st, The New Year begins with the observation of the Holy Day of Obligation of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This Holy Day brings to a close the eight day celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. On this eighth day the focus is on Mary, the Mother of the divine Savior. As we continue to celebrate Christmas, let us ask the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all us, to pray for us that we may be increasingly more grateful for the salvation and redemption of her Son and to be faithful to His Gospel way of life. And May Mother Mary assist us to be joyful messengers of the Good news.

    Being a Holy Day of Obligation we have the Vigil Mass on December 31st at 5.00 pm and on January 1st at 9.00 am.

 On behalf of Fr. Kishore I wish you a Happy and Holy New Year. May the New Year find us all receiving the graces offered by God and may we be open to almighty God’s blessings and graces upon us; may our troubles be few; our challenges not overcome us; and our joy increase throughout 2019.

 


Vacation Time

Fr. Kishore will be going home for vacation and he will be leaving on January 11th to be back on February 11th. We wish him a safe journey and a relaxing time with his loved ones.  So with him gone we will have changes in our weekday Mass schedule as we have done it for the past several years. Monday’s and Tuesday’s 8.30 am Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Loretto Church and Thursday’s and Friday’s Mass at 8.30 will be at St. Valentine. This schedule will begin on Monday, January 14th and end on Wednesday February 13th, 2019.

Just want to let you know specially to those who are new to this schedule that Thursday’s Mass will be in the school chapel and Friday’s Mass will be in the Church on School days as it will be Mass with the school kids. Thanks for adjusting to these changes.

 


A special thanks:

At this time of the year along with Fr. Kishore we would like to thank everyone who has treated us so kindly with love, greetings, gifts, prayers and blessings. We also extend our thanks to all those who have contributed to make our Advent and Christmas liturgies so meaningful.

The simple beauty of our parish celebrations comes together because of the rich personal gifts, talents and dedication of many in our parish, including decorators, Musicians and Choir Members, Ushers and Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Sacristans. Thanks to the parents for encouraging their children to take part in the Nativity Play and the Children’s Choir. We are always so appreciative of the all those who attend our celebrations and make it so lively by active participation. Sincere thanks to all who have so generously contributed towards our 2018 Christmas offertory collection. May God bless each and every one of you, and may Christ’s peace reign in your hearts and in your homes.

God Bless you,

Fr. Socorro