Fr. Socorro’s Christmas Message

Kathy From our Pastor

 When we entered into the New Year 2020 we were so excited to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Now as we are nearing the end of 2020, we are celebrating Christmas. Do we have the same excitement we had for the New Year months back, probably not. The year 2020 has changed our lives, and who knows what lies ahead. No matter what the future holds let us place our trust in God and in His Son Jesus. This Christmas let us Thank God anew for the gift of His Son Jesus, and the opportunity to celebrate the joy of this gift.

  But we may be asking ourselves what is there for us to celebrate? How can I find joy this Christmas when things are not so joyful in my life? It will all depend on how we look at Christmas. 

  Traditionally, we see Christmas as a time of peace and joy, a time to celebrate with family, friends and loved ones. Such joyful celebrations may not be possible for some, you may have lost a loved one since last Christmas, or you may be overburdened by worries, family problems or for many other reasons. As a parish community we want to help you and offer you our support. 

  Maybe the Christmas message this year is a challenge for all of us. Maybe we are just called to trust, to surrender and be more open to accept God’s plan. Maybe we need to give more of our time to our Lord and call upon Him often, individually and as a family.  

  Christmas must be a season when our faith is strengthened by reaffirming hope amid defeat, gratitude amid suffering, and compassion amid tragedy. Christmas belongs to believers, to those who believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary to reconcile us to one another and to the Father. May we as believers be blessed abundantly this Christmas and always.

  On behalf of our parish staff, I wish you gratitude, joy, love and peace this Christmas and always.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Fr. Socorro

Christmas Masses Online

Kathy Uncategorized

Fr. Sororro shares this exciting news. Here is a way for those who can’t make it to Christmas Mass in person to watch the live streaming Masses on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day from Our Lady of Loretto. He will be saying both Masses.

New Carpeting Adds Beauty to our Church

Kathy Faith Formation, Parish Activities

New Carpeting was installed in the Church after the roof was replaced.  These photographs show the sanctuary as well as the Memorial List of those Parish members who have entered into Eternal Life during the past year.  The last picture shows the beautiful banners for those students who will be receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion during the school year.   

Mass Dispensation Extended due to Covid 19

Kathy Archdiocese

November 13, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During these difficult months during the pandemic, I have granted a general dispensation from the grave obligation that we as Catholic Christians have to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation in the Archdiocese of Detroit, in part to help ease the conscience of those who are unable to be present for public worship due to risk of illness to themselves or their families. The most recent dispensation expires on November 22, at which point we had hoped the pandemic would have eased enough to allow all of us to return in an unrestricted way to our celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

Unfortunately, local and state health officials report that we not only continue to experience an increase in cases in our region and elsewhere, but that the rate of increase is rising dramatically and dangerously. I have been in communication with leaders in our Catholic hospitals and they are very concerned about the immediate future and the challenges they face caring for all those in need, not just those experiencing serious complications from COVID-19.

Dispensation

After carefully considering these and other factors, I am extending the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for people living in or visiting the Archdiocese of Detroit until Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021. As we have from the beginning, we will continue to closely monitor the situation in our region, with an eye on the day – hopefully in the not-too-distant future – when all of us are able to safely reunite in our normal patterns of worship.

Attending Mass

This extension is given so as not to unduly bind the consciences of those who are greatly troubled by the destructive potency of the coronavirus, and to care for the most vulnerable among us, such as the elderly. At the same time, one should not take advantage of the dispensation without a true need. Catholics who have already begun to engage in non-essential activities, such as widening one’s social circle or going out to eat, should return to Sunday Mass – an essential activity – as church capacity allows. Our souls greatly need the grace that comes from the re-presentation of Christ’s saving death and resurrection and this is what Jesus has entrusted to us in the celebration of the Mass. Just as businesses, schools, and other locations have opened safely, so have our parishes. Our pastors, parishes, and the faithful have worked diligently and adapted well in order to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who has been able to come to church for Mass, Confession, or to pray. I want to offer my sincere gratitude for the efforts that have been undertaken to implement and maintain the first-rate precautionary measures that have kept our parishes and schools safe.

Keeping Holy the Lord’s Day

Whether or not they are able to attend Mass, all baptized Catholics are reminded of the grave necessity they have to keep holy the Lord’s Day. This a divine law that neither I nor anyone else can ever dispense. Sunday is the day of the Resurrection of our Lord, and as such Christians from the earliest days have set it apart as a day unlike others. When it is not possible to participate in person in the Sacrifice of the Mass, it is vitally important for every member of the Catholic Church to observe the Sabbath by prioritizing prayer, time for God and for family, and works of charity. To that end, many of our parishes have been broadcasting their services over the internet during these last several months. While this virtual means of watching Mass can never replace the unmediated contact with the Real Presence of Our Lord we receive by being present and participating in Mass, these livestreamed Masses have been a way to help Catholics nourish their souls when they cannot be present for Mass.

Let us trust that the Lord accompanies us through all difficulties, including this pandemic. As we approach Advent and prepare for flu season, we should remember to pray daily for health care workers, first responders, including our priests, and all who are and will offer compassionate service and healing in the months to come. Let us also continue to invoke Our Lady of Lourdes, patroness for those who suffer illness, asking her to pray with us for healing and protection for the people of southeast Michigan and beyond.

With assurances of my prayers for you, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit