Upcoming Event

The Epiphany of the Lord

Kathy Upcoming Event
Today is the feast of the EPIPHANY – the arrival of the wise men – the manifestation of God to all peoples of the world. Until now, God revealed His Son to shepherds and townsfolk – all Jews – but now, “foreigners” were shown the King and revered Him. Tradition tells us that there were three Wise Men.

Melchior – Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, GOLD I bring to crown Him again. King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.

Balthazar – MYRRH is mine: its bitter perfume, breathes a life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Caspar – FRANKINCENSE to offer have I; Incense owns a deity neigh. Prayer and praising gladly raising, Worship Him, God on High.

Following the star, they reached Bethlehem and upon entering the house, they found the Child with Mary. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage and presented Him with their gifts.

WHAT GIFTS DO WE BRING TO CHRIST TODAY? The Magi seek Christ but do not seek Christ empty handed. They each bring a gift to offer to Jesus as a sign of humility and as an act of worship.  Each one of us has unique gifts and talents that God has given us. We can use those gifts and talents to glorify ourselves, but this glory fades. On the other hand, when we lay our gifts and talents down at the feet of Christ we become a part of something greater. This is what the Magi did and this is what this feast invites us to do. 

At Mass, we are given an Epiphany each week when we receive Christ in the Eucharist. If we approach the altar as the Magi approached the crib and lay down our gifts and talents – and give them to Christ to glorify him, we will truly be blessed and we will not be the same. May this New Year be a special one for us – let us make an effort to grow in a closer encounter with Christ.

Blessing Your Home – Because this was the day the Three Kings visited the house of Jesus, the custom of blessing homes on Epiphany Day developed. After the blessing, the following was written in chalk on the back of the door: 20 + C + M + B +16.  The letters are the initials of the three Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) and are also shorthand for Christus mansionem benedicat, Latin for “Christ bless this house.” The numbers declare the new year, 2016, and the four crosses represent the four seasons. Bless your home by inscribing 20 + C + M + B + 2016 on the back of your door using the following prayer:

“Lord, Jesus, the three kings followed the star that led them to Your home. Help us to find You in this house through the love we share. Bless our home and all of us during this year ahead. Amen.”

 

A special Thanks:

At this time of the year Fr. Henry and myself would like to thank everyone who has treated us so kindly with love, greetings, gifts, prayers and best wishes. 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 parents for encouraging their children to take part in the Nativity Play and the children’s choir. We are always so appreciative of all those who attend our celebrations and make it so lively by actively taking part in it. Sincere thanks to all who have so generously contributed towards our 2015 Christmas offertory collection. May God bless each and every one of you, granting you joy and peace in your hearts and in your families always.

 

God Bless you.

Fr. Socorro

Blood Drive

Mary Upcoming Event

redcrossOur next blood drive is Sunday, November 15th from 8 AM to 2 PM, we have lots of appointment times to fill. Blood donations are down and we need to increase them, the hospitals need blood in our area. So you can sign up after mass, call me at 313-531-3220 or send an email to cgallredcrblooddrive@gmail.com.  Please donate if you can and if you can’t and would like to participate we will be feeding the Red Cross staff we need a main course, salad, rolls and a dessert.

 Thank you and God bless,
Cecilia Gallagher – Blood Drive Coordinator

World Mission Sunday October 18, 2015:

Mary Upcoming Event, Weekly message

World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. As described by Pope John Paul II, World Mission Sunday is “an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world” (see Redemptoris Missio 81). Pope John Paul II has also spoken of the Propagation of the Faith’s General Fund of support, calling this a “central fund of solidarity.” Every year the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow – as new dioceses are formed, as new seminaries are opened because of the growing number of young men hearing Christ’s call to follow Him as priests, as areas devastated by war or natural disaster are rebuilt, and as other areas, long suppressed, are opening up to hear the message of Christ and His Church. That is why the involvement and commitment of Catholics from around the world is so urgently needed. Mission dioceses- about 1,100 at this time- receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance, among other needs, for catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of Religious Communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels, churches, orphanages and schools. These needs are matched with the funds gathered in each year. The world’s national directors of the Propagation of the Faith vote on these requests, matching the funds available with the greatest needs. These funds are then distributed, in their entirety, to mission dioceses throughout the world.Your generosity makes it possible for local priests,religious, and catechists to reach out to communities, families and children in desperate need, bringing the light of Christ to the darkest of circumstances. Your prayers and generous support offered to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith on World Mission Sunday directly benefit the mission church. This in a way will also help deepen your relationship with Jesus by helping so many missionaries around the world.
The Pontifical Mission Societies

Hello Women of St. Valentine & Our Lady of Loretto Parishes!!

Here is another testimony of one of our retreatants from last years retreat:”I have been on St Valentine Women’s retreats previously and really enjoyed them. This time was especially nice. We were busierand different presentations.”Quietness was really pointed out” “.If you are ready to give yourself a great gift, this is the time to join us October 23rd through 25th! I am so happy I tried it and liked it! Again, any questions or comments please call Beth Nicola -248- 842-6621,  Colleen Masserang -734- 754-0718 or St Paul of the Cross -313 -535-9563.

If Today You Hear His Voice

Mary Parish Activities, Upcoming Event, Weekly message

The readings today condense much of the Scriptures to “the one thing necessary.” In the Gospel the rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. When the young man says, I have kept them all my life, Jesus tells him that he is lacking in one thing: “Go sell what you have and give to the poor. Our immediate response is that this is not possible. We know that the first Christians did not take this literally; they did not all go out and sell their possessions. In fact, Matthew’s Gospel qualifies the saying by having Jesus say, “If you would be perfect, go sell …”

What are we supposed to get out of this passage? Most of us are perhaps like the rich young man. We keep the commandments. We are not guilty of terribly bad actions but we may at times be very complacent. We may wonder if that is all we are supposed to do. At times like this we need to remember the words of Wisdom: “I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom came upon me and in her company all good things.” Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom and he says to us, “One more thing you must do.” It may be that he is calling us to greater self-giving. It may be something as simple as reconciling with a brother or sister, doing some volunteer work, being more patient with those who annoy us, more generous in sharing of our time and resources. In short, He says to us one more thing you must do; in short he, calls us to greater self-giving.

Lord Jesus, you gave yourself completely on the cross for us. Give us the grace and strength to give more generously of ourselves for others.

Fr. Henry Rebello SAC

Communion Cups and Chalice

Communion Cups and Chalice

   On behalf of St. Valentine Parish, we would like to extend a very special thank you to Linda and Bob Rybka for their donation of four very beautiful gold “Communion Cups” and Chalice. From now on we will be using these new cups. These cups are donated in memory of Bob Rybka’s mother, Helen Rybka. We thank the Rybka’s for their generosity. God Bless you.

 

Workers Needed Please!!!

 Our Fall Rummage sale is one  week away, please help us, we need workers on Friday, October 16th from 7 AM- 7 PM and Saturday, October 17th from 9 AM to 2 PM, if you are working on Saturday all workers need to be in the school gym by 8:30 AM.  Anyone that would like to work can call me on 313-531-3220.

We need YOU in order to make this a successful fundraiser for the church. Thank you and God Bless!

 Cecilia Gallagher – Rummage Sale Coordinator

 

Faith Formation Begins on Monday!

Mary Upcoming Event

Faith Formation classes will begin on Monday, September 28th at 6:45 pm for grades 1-8. All registered children and parents should go to the School Chapel for a brief prayer service with Fr. Henry. If you haven’t registered your child, please call Bonnie at the Faith Formation Office at 313-532-4394 x101 and we will register your child over the phone.

All 2nd and 8th graders who are making a Sacrament this year must provide a Baptismal Certificate if they were not baptized at St. Valentine.