Today we are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, one of the ancient feasts. It is celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles 20:16 and St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 16:8. If we count both Easter and Pentecost, it is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, and it succeeds the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover.

History

 The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of the original Pentecost (Acts 2). Jews from all over were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast. On that Sunday, ten days after the Ascension of Our Lord, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where they had seen Christ after His Resurrection: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

 The Birthday of the Church

That is why Pentecost is often called “the birthday of the Church.” On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s mission is completed, and the New Covenant is inaugurated. It’s interesting to note that St. Peter, the first pope, was already the leader and spokesman for the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday (see Acts 2:14ff).

In years past, Pentecost was celebrated with greater solemnity than it is today. In fact, the entire period between Easter and Pentecost Sunday was known as Pentecost (and it still is called Pentecost in the Eastern churches, both Catholic and Orthodox). During those 50 days, both fasting and kneeling were strictly forbidden, because this period was supposed to give us a foretaste of the life of Heaven. In more recent times, parishes celebrated the approach of Pentecost with the public recitation of the Novena to the Holy Ghost.

To end this, let us pause for a while and pray this prayer to the Holy Spirit: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

On May 28/29 weekend we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – This year on this solemn feast we will be having a procession with the Eucharist after the 12:00 noon Mass. I would like to encourage as many as possible to take part in this celebration. This is a time when we as faithful Catholics can show our love for Christ in the Real Presence by honoring Him in a very public way. It is also a wonderful way in which we can show our love for our neighbors by bringing Our Lord and Savior closer to them. So many conversions are a result of Eucharistic Adoration experienced from inside the Church. How many more there would be if we could reach those who only drive by the church by demonstrating our love for the Eucharist, by devoutly taking part in this procession. Children who have received their First Communion this year are encouraged to attend in their suits and dresses. It will be even nice to have as many altar servers dress up in their altar servers robes. Please join me in making this solemn procession a very important occasion for our parish.

“The 2016 CSA theme is Celebrate the Joy of the Gospel. Celebrating the Good News is both a challenge and a joy for Christians who, through baptism, are called to witness our faith in Christ by serving others.” The annual Catholic Services Appeal is a wonderful opportunity for us to be joyful ministers by sharing what we can through our contributions towards the CSA.

You may ask, “How does the CSA benefit me?” The answer is that the CSA touches us all in ways we may not realize. We are the Body of Christ, and the CSA funds ministries, programs, and services that every day in some way affects the lives of thousands in southeast Michigan and beyond.

“By sharing the blessings God gives us through our gifts to the CSA, countless people enjoy the fruits of the work of the Central Services Departments of Communications, Evangelization, Catechesis and Schools and Parish Life and Services. The CSA also supports the Office of Priestly Vocations, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and the Metropolitan Tribunal. When we make our annual pledge to the CSA, we join with all of our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit to do the work that no one individual can do.”

Thanks for all your support in the past. Our CSA goal for this year is $40,504.00 During the weekend of May 7/8 and 14/15, 2016 we will place the envelops along with a letter and pledge cards at the back of the Church to be picked up, after that we will mail all the rest. 

If God has blessed you please be generous in sharing your blessings with others. Thank you in advance. My prayer is that we may continue to grow stronger in our faith and build up a community that reaches out in love.

 Peace and Blessing of the Risen Lord,

Fr. Socorro Fernandes, SAC

First Holy Communion

Today at the Noon Mass 18 children from our school and religious education program will make their First Holy Communion. It’s about that final night of the Eucharist as the way Jesus continues to feed his people. I congratulate these young members of this faith community as they will be receiving Our Lord in this most personal way. For them, as it was for us on our special day, receiving Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is the beginning of a new level of a relationship with Christ. May you always realize that Christ is present in the Eucharist, and that in your faithful reception of our Lord, he will always be present to you. On behalf of Fr. Socorro and the Staff I want to express my gratitude to the teachers for their many efforts in preparing our children for this special occasion.

Fr. Henry, SAC

Congratulations to Fr. Henry and Fr. Socorro

We send our congratulations and prayers to Fr. Henry and Fr. Socorro. Both are celebrating the anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood this month.

Fr. Henry: May 1st—10 years

Fr. Socorro: May 12—17 years

We thank the Lord everyday for these two fine priests who have come to serve us at St. Valentine Parish. May God continue to bless you

When will this Synod take place, and where?

Synod 16 will take place November 18-20, 2016 at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit.

Who participates in Synod 16?

Hundreds of clergy and laity will be participating in Synod 16. All of the faithful—whether they are participating directly in Synod 16 or not—are encouraged to pray for Synod 16.

How were the lay members of Synod 16 chosen?

Each pastor was asked to prayerfully nominate three people from his parish who he thought could be flexible, creative, and discerning to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council prayerfully considered the nominations and elected the members. 

Clergy and religious have been elected by their peers and invited by the Archbishop. Eileen MacDonell  will be representing St. Valentine Parish.

 Tell me more about Synod 16

What we are attempting is nothing less than a radical overhaul of the Church in Detroit, a complete reversal of our focus from an inward, or maintenance-focused church, to outward, or mission-focused church.

 What changes do you anticipate as a result of Synod 16?

It is difficult to say because we do not know where the Holy Spirit will lead us. But, much of the conversation is expected to center around how we can make our parishes, schools, hospitals, charitable organizations, families, etc. more joyfully missionary-based.

 What will happen at Synod 16?

In November 2016, clergy, religious, and laity will gather to pray and discuss how we can help everyone in our Archdiocese encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and witness to the glory of a life lived in God’s love.

Is there a way for me to play a role in the process?

Yes! Most of our parishes will be hosting Parish Dialogue Gatherings. At these sessions, the faithful will have facilitator-led conversations. A scribe will capture the content of the discussion, which will be brought to the synod for further discussion. The dialogue sessions will be taking place between March and June. The faithful may attend a session at their parish or at another parish. As announced before, the Dialogue Gathering for St. Valentine Parish will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 beginning at 6.30 pm.  Please sign up to attend this session!