Today is Sunday of the Word of God

Today we celebrate the first ever Sunday of the Word of God. Today we let Jesus open our minds to the beauty of the Scriptures, so we can proclaim the truth of the Good News that they contain. The Scriptures are not dead letters on a page, but living words that have been given life by the Holy Spirit, who also gives light to our minds when we read them. Nor is the Word of God a list of rules, but an invitation to share the life of the living God, their author.

 In his letter establishing today’s celebration, Pope Francis shares, “It is fitting, then, that the life of our people be constantly marked by this decisive relationship with the living word that the Lord never tires of speaking to his Bride, that she may grow in love and faithful witness” (Aperuit illis, 2). Every story told in the Scriptures, even the most challenging, reminds us that God loves his people and will always be faithful to the covenant he has made with us. God sent us his Son, the Word Incarnate, not only to speak these words of faithful love, but also to show us the depths of faithful love by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. Every word of Scripture points to this message of love enacted in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the Word himself.

 In honor of today’s celebration, thank the lectors at your parish who proclaim the Word of God and the priests and deacons who preach it. With your family or other parishioners, find a time today to re-read today’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12-23) and plan a time this week to read next Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 2:22-40). What does God need to teach you and cure within you so you can proclaim the Good News of his kingdom to others?

 

 Reverend Brian Meldrum


St. Valentine Catholic School Open House

St. Valentine Catholic School welcomes all families to our Open House on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 from 5:00-7:00pm. Please join us to find out the many benefits our school can provide for your child. Our school offers faith based educational excellence for Preschool through Grade Eight. At our open house you will have the opportunity to tour the school, meet the teachers, and gain valuable information about how our school can help your child. Our school is located in Redford on Hope St. just off of Beech Daly between Schoolcraft and Five Mile.  If you would like more information please call 313 533-7149 or visit our website @

www.stvalentineschool.com

 

Sunday of the Word of God

         Next week, on the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, we will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God for the first time. Last year Pope Francis instituted the Sunday of Word of God, “so as to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in that constant dialogue between the Lord and his people” (Misericordi et Misera, 7).

  The Scriptures are treasures filled with countless riches! From Genesis to Revelation, God speaks to us in human language. By speaking to us, God reveals his part in this great love story: “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16). In the Archdiocese of Detroit, we hear a lot about the power of the Word of God. We speak of the Gospel as something to be unleashed. We recognize that the Word of God has the potential to change hearts. When we proclaim the Word to others, they encounter the power of the Word and the person of the Word: Jesus Christ. But have you personally spent enough time hearing what Jesus is saying to you through the Word? Pope Francis is asking everyone in the Church, every diocese, parish, family, and parishioner, to read and listen to the Word of God anew.

  In preparation for the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God, consider your favorite Scripture passage.

· How has God used it to speak to you, change your heart, lead you, or bring you peace?

· Ask yourself how can I be open in these coming days to receive the gift of loving the Word of God more?

· How can I make my own these words from today’s psalm, “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8-9)?

 

Reverend Brian Meldrum


 

Gratitude

     The true meaning of Christmas is giving and sharing the love and reaching to those who have touched our lives. It’s a time to count our blessings and be grateful for them. My heart is filled with joy and happiness to appreciate all of you for sending me beautiful Christmas cards and wishes. In a special way, I would like to thank you for your generosity and kindness. you are greatly appreciated. It’s been my pleasure to be with you celebrating Christmas and New Year. Wish you God’s abundant blessings on your families.  

 

Fr. Kishore Babu Battu SAC

Vacation Time

Some of you may be surprised that my vacation time has come up again so quickly. I had just returned back from vacation towards end of May 2019 with memories still fresh. This year I had to change my plans as my mother is going to celebrate her 85th birthday on February 23rd. It was in 2015 that I had gone to celebrate her 80th birthday. Time does fly by. I’ll be leaving on January 20th so that I can get the opportunity to attend the Feast of our Founder St. Vincent Pallotti on January 22nd, and will be back on February 25th, just in time for Ash Wednesday.

And so, while I am gone we will have changes in the daily Mass schedule beginning January 21st up until February 25 a day before Ash Wednesday – Monday’s and Tuesday’s Mass at Our Lady of Loretto at 8.30 am. Thursday’s and Friday’s Mass at St. Valentine. Although Thursday’s Mass will be at 8.30am, while Friday’s School Mass will be at 8.15am. 

Please keep me and my family in your prayers and be assured of my prayers for you.


Christmas Collection:

 Before Christmas I always try to write a note reminding you to be generous towards the Church while making the Christmas offering. And I want to thank you for being so kind in listening to me. I know you always do. Our 2019 Christmas collection was totaled to $101,363.67. My sincere THANKS to each and everyone for your generous contributions, towards the Church especially during the season of giving, “Christmas.” St Paul tells us that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2Cor.9:7). May God Bless you and your generosity, and reward you a hundred fold.


52 Sundays – A Guide to Reclaim the Lord’s Day For Faith and Family.

“A new reflection guide created by the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Department of Evangelization, Catechesis and Schools seeks to offer families a way to spend the Lord’s day together in prayer by focusing on the Scriptures, family conversations and meals together. The program, called 52 Sundays, is available in book form English and Spanish or online at 52Sundays.com, to guide families through weekly exercises based on the Sunday Gospels. It also includes reflections on the saints, a specific prayer activity and a recipe for each week. Families can also follow along with each week’s lessons and activities on the Unleash the Gospel Facebook page.”

Just to give you a taste of the book or online – On 52 Sundays – Here’s a Family Prayer that is taken from the Book.

Gather your children’s baptismal candles and light them during the prayer. Place a small bowl of holy water on the table. Choose a leader for the prayer.

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, you created all the people of the world, and you know each of us by name. We thank you for the gift of baptism and for making us a part of your family. Bless us with your love and friendship that we may grow in wisdom, knowledge, and grace. Grant this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

 All: Our Father… Amen.

 Leader will then use the holy water to trace the sign of the cross on the forehead of each family member.