Weekly message

The Feast of All Saints’ Day – November 1st

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This weekend we celebrate one of the great feasts of the Church, All Saints’ Day. On this day we honor, venerate (and petition) those disciples of the Lord who have gone before us into the kingdom of heaven. And we hope that one day we, too, will be counted among their number. The Feast of All Saints does not simply recall the “hall of fame” saints such as Peter, Paul, Francis of Assisi, Margaret Mary, and Stephen. In fact we also honor all those countless disciples who have lived lives of faith, service and virtue and have thus entered into the joy of heaven. We have great reason to hope that this number includes the virtuous friends and family members who have preceded us in death.

Most saints were ordinary people like you and me who struggled with difficulties and personal failings before “getting their act together.” Saints were real people who had strengths and limitations, virtues and failings. There were saints who were grave sinners before turning their lives around. But if they could do it, we can too. Sainthood is not perfection; it is growth and consuming dedication to Christ and his Gospel. Each and every one of us is called to holiness, not in some sterile, plastic way but amidst the messiness and trials of daily life and with the help of those around us. Holiness is a journey, not simply a destination. It is growing in the love of God and learning to do his will more completely. As we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, let us each embrace this journey and look to those who have gone before for inspiration and guidance.  All you Holy Saints of God – pray for us.

Remembering All Soul’s – November 2nd.
On this day we join you in remembering your deceased family members and friends, members of the St. Valentine Parish Family, and all those who share eternal life with God.  We just want everyone to know that the faithful departed are always in our minds, our hearts, our prayers. We remember their good lives! We rely on the mercy and compassion of God! We trust that, having been faithful to God here, we will join them one day in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our annual Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 7.00 pm on Monday November 2nd. This beautiful and meaningful Memorial Mass gives us the opportunity to honor our departed brothers and sisters in Christ who have died this past year. Although this Mass is celebrated in memory of our parishioners who had their funeral Masses held here, all are welcome! It will be yet another wonderful opportunity to gather and express our faith in God’s promise of eternal life.

Certainly, “On Eagle’s Wings” ranks high among the song choices made by family members for the Mass of Christian Burial. Along with other selections like “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “I am the Bread of Life”. I hope these and other images fill your hearts with confidence. Know that God’s grace is truly amazing! Have that heavenly vision of your loved one soaring high and proud with the Lord! Trust in Jesus’ own words “I am the Resurrection and the Life” and say with confidence: “My God, how great Thou art!”

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

World Mission Sunday October 18, 2015:

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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

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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