The Department of Communications shares the following statements from U.S. bishops confirming the moral permissibility of two new COVID-19 vaccines, as well as a Detroit Catholic story about the statements and vaccines.
Pope Francis proclaims “Year of St. Joseph”
With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from today, December 8th, 2020 to December 8th, 2021
Click Here to read the full article from Vatican News!
APOSTOLIC LETTER
PATRIS CORDE
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCISON THE 150th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE PROCLAMATION OF SAINT JOSEPH
AS PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
WITH A FATHER’S HEART: that is how Joseph loved Jesus, whom all four Gospels refer to as “the son of Joseph”.[1]
Matthew and Luke, the two Evangelists who speak most of Joseph, tell us very little, yet enough for us to appreciate what sort of father he was, and the mission entrusted to him by God’s providence…
Click Here to read the full letter.
Church grants plenary indulgence for year of St. Joseph
The Apostolic Penitentiary issues a Decree granting plenary indulgences for the year of St. Joseph proclaimed by Pope Francis on Tuesday. The special year will last from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021.
Click Here for full information regarding plenary indulgence for year of St. Joseph!
Conditions for the plenary indulgence
The plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions) to Christians who, with a spirit detached from any sin, participate in the Year of St. Joseph on these occasions and manners indicated by the Apostolic Penitentiary:
– The plenary indulgence is granted to those who will meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer, or take part in a Spiritual Retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph. “St. Joseph, an authentic man of faith, invites us”, the decree reads, “to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew fidelity to prayer, to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God’s will.”
– The indulgence can also be obtained by those who, following St. Joseph’s example, will perform a spiritual or corporal work of mercy. St. Joseph “encourages us to rediscover the value of silence, prudence and loyalty in carrying out our duties,” the decree notes.
– The recitation of the Holy Rosary in families and among engaged couples is another way of obtaining indulgences, in order that “all Christian families may be stimulated to recreate the same atmosphere of intimate communion, love and prayer that was in the Holy Family.”
– Everyone who entrusts their daily activity to the protection of St. Joseph, and every faithful who invokes the intercession of St. Joseph so that those seeking work can find dignifying work can also obtain the plenary indulgence. On 1 May 1955, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph “with the intent that the dignity of work be recognized by all, and that it inspires social life and laws, based on the fair distribution of rights and duties.”
– The plenary indulgence is also granted to the faithful who will recite the Litany to St. Joseph (for the Latin tradition), or the Akathistos to St. Joseph (for the Byzantine tradition), or any other prayer to St. Joseph proper to the other liturgical traditions, for the persecuted Church ad intra and ad extra, and for the relief of all Christians suffering all forms of persecution. Because, the decree notes, “the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt shows us that God is there where man is in danger, where man suffers, where he runs away, where he experiences rejection and abandonment.”
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
What is the “St Vincent Pallotti Parish First Friday Memorial?”
The St. Vincent Pallotti Parish First Friday Memorial and Intentions is a special offering made by Parishioners of STVPP through which your intentions are remembered at a special Mass to be celebrated each month throughout the entire year.
*Please note sign up for FFML ends December 18th.
Why Start Such A Memorial?
This First Friday Memorial fulfills many of your requests for monthly prayer for your special intentions or for those loved ones who are deceased; your intentions will be listed each week on the back of the parish bulletin. Your offering of $70.00 per year will help to support the parish.
What is the Requested Offering?
A yearly offering of $70.00 is asked for the intentions to be remembered at this Mass, to be celebrated each month. You are all welcome to attend this Mass.
How Do I List My Intentions?
You may list your intentions one of two ways. As one individual name e.g. “Mary Jones” or you may list family groupings e.g. “The Jones Family.” Multiple names may be listed but require an additional offering of $70.00 for each line.
When Will These Masses Begin?
As the memorial begins to form, and intentions are submitted, we will begin the Masses in January of this year. The intention year will then be from January to January, then we begin again. If you wish to continue having your intentions remembered at these Masses, you will be asked to renew your offering each year.
How Do I Become Part of The St Vincent Pallotti Parish First Friday Memorial?
1.) Fill out the First Friday Memorial form either below, download here and print, or find in the back of both churches and return completed to the Parish Office.
2.) If you choose to fill out the form on our website below, please follow this link after to pay your offering for each line requested in the First Friday Memorial Mass League.
What if I have Further Questions?
Feel free to call the parish office at 734-285-9840, Ext. 100, during business hours. We will be happy to answer your questions concerning the memorial.
New or Renewal Application for First Friday Memorial
**After completing this form please follow this link to make a payment for each intention requested**
Sign up for First Friday Mass League Intentions.
Like so many other things going virtual this year due to Covid-19 we are having a “Virtual Giving Christmas Tree!” We are sponsoring young men and women through Vista Maria and younger children through Community Social Services.
Instead of taking a mitten from the tree, this year we have printed copies of stocking stuffer gift ideas acceptable for Vista Maria. Community Social Services is seeking gift cards specifically to Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy & Dunham’s. You may bring gift cards/gifts to the Parish Offce or mail directly to Community Social Services(90 Sheldon Street, Detroit, MI 48201 ATTN: Lynda Dandridge).
To make it even easier this year, you can order gifts online by visiting Vista Maria’s Amazon Wish List and ship your gift directly to Vista Maria!
*Vista Maria Wish Lists are available in the back of both Churches or online here.
If you’d rather shop for items, you most certainly can! Remember to bring items unwrapped and in gift bags only to St. Joseph or St. Patrick or the Parish office.
If you opt to shop, you must have your gift bag here no later than Monday, December 7th. The delivery takes place on Tuesday, December 8th.
Thank you for doing what you can to make this Christmas, especially this year, extraordinary for children and teens.
Important Notes:
No cash(gift cards are acceptable)
No sharp items, metal, or glass
No spiral bound books of any kind
Do not put your last name or other personal information on your gift
If you have questions please give us a call!
Ready to deliver your Gift?
- Be sure your gift is unwrapped
- Schedule your drop off time with Ganelle(313-271-3050 ext. 400 & glesnew@vistamaria.org)
Monday – Friday from 10am – 6pm - December 14 is the last day to drop off gifts
A Partnership of Churches Serving the Homeless
24356 Eureka Rd. Taylor, MI 48180 – Ph: 734-287-8890 www.christnetservices.org
ChristNet Services has been a partner in the downriver communities for over 20 years, providing services to the homeless, including food, shelter, counseling, ID assistance, training and advocacy. Included among the guests we serve are men, women, Veterans and young families. We are the ONLY overnight shelter provider in the Downriver and out Wayne County area.
The year has been a real trial for all of us. The COVID 19 pandemic has changed all of our lives. The impact on the ChristNet homeless guests has been even more significant. ChristNet has made significant adjustments to meet the needs of our homeless guests. Social distancing has reduced the number of guests we can service at any one time at the daytime program at Church of the Nazarene. The night time program is in a state of flux with most churches unable to house guests overnight.
As a point of celebration, we will soon be moving into our new day time center that will have more space for social distancing and provide showers and laundry, The Board of Directors is working diligently to close a deal for a “stationary night time facility” to house homeless guests during the pandemic, where the church volunteers can provide assistance (meals, supervision, Christian support, etc.) without jeopardizing the safety of their home churches.
As you can imagine, the costs for personal protective equipment, additional staffing, expenses of a second building (utilities, rents, transportation, etc.), move-in costs in two buildings, and temporary renovations to accommodate pandemic regulations are expenses ChristNet is not prepared to sustain………Without your help. Our financial shortfall is estimated to be over $150,000.
You can help us. Because of the pandemic we cannot host a dinner/auction as in recent years. However we can have a fund raising mail campaign. The campaign is entitled More Than Ever. Please make a generous gift to ChristNet. Our homeless guests do need our help more than ever.
Together we CAN make a difference!
Sincerely,
Linda Cleaver ChristNet More Than Ever Chairperson 29415 East River Road Grosse lle, MI 48138 734-675-5562 or 734-558-9912
All contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law. ChristNet is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt organization
“More Than Ever” Sponsorship Form:
Download form here.
All proceeds go to benefit ChristNet Charity and their goal to help house and care for those who need it most this year.
Ford Drive 4 Your Community Event – Virtual(Proceeds help ChristNet):
Take a FREE virtual test drive and Ford will donate $20 per household.
(up to 300 drivers) which come to $6,000!
It will be fun! Must be 18 or older,
Licensed and insured.
WHO? Ford Drive 4 Ur Community
WHEN? THURSDAY, November 5, 2020
What: Virtual Test Drive in the comfort of your home on your computer!
St. Vincent Pallotti
"The Love of Christ urges us on"
