Every year we have done this since the Pallottines have served at St. Valentine – A Second Collection for the Pallottine Missions on Palm Sunday. This year too it’s on schedule.

 Next Sunday our Second Collection will go towards the Pallottine Missions. Whatever ways you can help us continue our work and missions back in India, we will be ever grateful. In the past years you have always been very generous and we thank you for that. Know for sure that your sacrifices will go a long way. If you are not able to help financially do not be disheartened, just offer a prayer for our works and mission and you will receive your blessings in return.

Back in India The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (ABVM), the Province we belong, is venturing into new mission areas and our formation houses are still growing with many seminarians at different stages of their formation. This April-May 2016, our Province will have 15 newly ordained priests. Who knows, in years to come, some of them may be sent to St. Valentine to serve.

 Pallottines are very blessed to have this opportunity to serve in this Archdiocese and especially here at St. Valentine Parish. Your prayers, words of encouragement and your support keep us getting stronger. Thank you once again for all the sacrifices you make for the good of the parish.

God Bless you.

Fr. Socorro

 An Invitation from Archbishop Vigneron

You will find a flyer in this week’s bulletin with Archbishop’s Message about “Unleash the Gospel” – It’s a reminder for us to continue our mission of evangelizing and how the Archdiocese is offering us so many opportunities to get involved and participate more fully in the greater mission of the Church. All of these initiatives are also leading us to pray for the success of the Synod 2016. The back of the flyer shows how the Archdiocese is helping us to “Unleash the Gospel.” In April, the 18, 19, 20th- 4 members of each parish and the Priest will be attending the “Amazing Parish Conference.” Within the parish itself we will be having “Parish Dialogue Gathering” the dates will be announced later – this is in preparation for the Synod—an opportunity for us to come forward and see what we as individuals, as a parish and as the Archdiocese can do “for our calling as Jesus’ disciples.” If you have not yet attended the “Come Encounter Christ” gatherings, take time to attend at least one. And then, before this Jubilee year gets over, find some time to enter through the Holy Door of Mercy at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

The more we push ourselves to be actively involved in our own parishes the more we will benefit and through us others. Pray for the Archbishop and for all the initiatives he is introducing for the good of the Archdiocese and for the good of the Church.

Throughout the jubilee year, Holy Doors will be opened including the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit and the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak. Faithful who make a pilgrimage and pass through a holy door receive a plenary indulgence. 

The Holy Door – 
The Door of Mercy is open to the public on the first Friday of every month 9:00am – 2:00pm and every Sunday afternoon 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Groups of 15 + may make an appointment for other times on the Cathedral.

What has to be done to gain an indulgence when visiting the Holy Door?

 1.  In order to be capable of gaining an indulgence one must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed works.

2.  To gain a plenary indulgence, in addition to excluding all attachment to sin,   even venial sin, it is necessary to fulfill the following three conditions:

A. Sacramental confession

B. Eucharistic Communion

C. Prayer for the intention of the Holy Father (one Our Father, one Hail Mary, or any other prayers)

A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day.

Doors leading to the Holy Door

   Some pilgrims to the Holy Door have requested the texts from the doors at the Cathedral leading to the Holy Door. These provide material for meditation during this Year of Mercy. They are attached at https://aod.app.box.com.

 From the Archdiocese of Detroit

 Paschal Candle: Thank You

 A sincere thanks to a parish member for writing a check of $350.00 to pay off the purchase of the Easter Candle. There were several others who came forward too, but we took the check that came first. I cannot thank you enough for being so willing and generous. For the other donors that were willing to give, as for now you, can hold on to your money, there will be many other opportunities in the future for certain things in the Church and we will surely bring it to your attention.

God Bless you all. 

 In order to participate more fully in this Year of Mercy initiated by Pope Francis, a nine month novena will begin at Our Lady of Loretto on the first Tuesday of the month starting March 1, 2016 and ending on November 1, 2016.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3:00 p.m. in conjunction with Eucharistic Adoration that takes place at Our Lady of Loretto.

 Please use this opportunity to join your fellow parishioners in embracing the message of Divine Mercy and spending time before the Eucharist.

 The Chaplet of Divine Mercy was directed to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, by visions she received from Jesus Christ and recorded in her diary. The Divine Mercy chaplet is an intercessory prayer, and its intentions are threefold: to obtain mercy, to trust in Christ’s mercy and to show mercy to others.

 Paschal Candle Donation—A new initiative

 Preparations are now underway for the Paschal Triduum. The celebration of the Easter Vigil begins with the solemn lighting of the Paschal Candle, the symbol of Christ’s light in our world. This candle burns brightly during the Easter season and is used throughout the year for the sacrament of baptism and the celebration of funeral liturgies. This year, we are offering you the opportunity to donate funds toward the purchase of the Paschal candle. We have already chosen the Paschal Candle and the price is $350.00. Your donation will be a constant symbol of the light of Christ shining within the St. Valentine Parish community for the year to come. If you are interested please call the parish office and let us know. 

Lenten Prayer Service—March 9th at 6:30 pm

 A Lenten Penance Service will be held on Wednesday, March 9 at 6.30 pm at Our Lady of Loretto Church. You are invited to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation – a sign of God’s merciful and loving forgiveness.  Five priests will be available to hear confessions, including Fr. Henry and Fr. Socorro.  We encourage you to take this opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Easter.