Our Lenten journey is coming to a close. This is the last week before Passion Week. Today as we begin the Holy Week, the church invites us to commemorate and reenact the suffering and death of Jesus and the event which immediately led up to it. It is a week were we are called to reflect more deeply on Jesus’ love for the humanity. He suffered, He died for the atonement of our sins. Are we grateful to Jesus for this great sacrifice? Then let us spend some time together in this week and take a moment to say – Thank You Jesus.

 Palm Sunday – This weekend we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the Blessing and Procession with Palms. He comes to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, which was an animal of peace. He came to bring peace. In a world where there is a lot of violence and war, hatred and enmity, let us walk with the King of Peace in this coming week and be peace makers indeed!

 The Great Three Days – Triduum – the climax of the whole of our Christian Year. It is the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. The Jewish Passover from slavery in Egypt, to freedom in the Promised Land anticipates and prefigures our Passover from the darkness and slavery of sin to the new life of the Risen Christ.

These three days make up one single celebration of our Passover from death to life. Each day we focus on different aspects of that one Passover. The Liturgy of the Triduum is the way we, as a community, celebrate publicly the Easter mystery. This commemorates not only historical events, but celebrates and makes present their saving effect in our lives and in our parish this year.

 Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Holy Thursday: We will begin this service at 7:00 pm During this Mass we have the Washing of the Feet and the Procession with the Blessed Sacrament. At the School Chapel Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue until midnight.  

 Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion – Good Friday: The most solemn day in the Christian calendar, the one day in a year on which the Eucharist is not celebrated – there is no Mass on Good Friday. It is also a day where the Church reminds us to do fasting and abstinence. On this day we have the Stations of the Cross at 1:00 pm, followed by the Passion Play performed by the 8th graders and the liturgy at 2:30 pm. The ministers enter in silence and prostrate themselves on the ground. The reading is taken from the passion of St. John’s gospel; we pray in a very deliberative way for the needs of the entire world; then we have the unveiling and Veneration of the Cross followed by Holy Communion.  

 The Easter Vigil – Holy Saturday: The Great Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 8:30 pm beginning with the Blessing of the Fire and Lighting of the Paschal candle. This will be followed with a procession into the Church with lighted candles and singing, ‘Christ the Light’. After the Liturgy of the Word we renew our Baptismal promises. We then continue with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

On this night we will also welcome our RCIA candidates and the Elect. We have  1 Elect who will receive the sacraments of initiation and 6 candidates who will enter into full communion in the Catholic Church. Let us continue to pray for them that they may keep walking faithfully in the ways of the Lord. Easter Sunday Masses will be at 9:00 am and noon.

May Jesus who gave His life for the world be resurrected in our lives.

Wishing you a Blessed Holy Week.

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.