December 20, 2024
Dear Friends,
Tomorrow, December 21, is the first day of winter and the last day we’re open in 2024. Tomorrow’s “O Antiphon,” O Oriens (“O Radiant Dawn”), reminds us Christ is our coming Light. Thank you for helping our little shrine, St. Joseph Chapel & the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341), try to be a light in our neighborhood and for the wider Church during this past year.
Blessed rose petals will be available tomorrow on a limited basis (one per family). They can be used for healing. Praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, to obtain healing from her Divine Son, is the key component when using this sacramental that, with faith, can be applied to the ailing body part. If the whole family prays together—especially the Rosary—that’s optimal. “To you the entire order of mercy has been entrusted” St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe would say of Our Lady, and since Jesus displayed mercy in His lifetime by healing thousands, we can trust that His holy Mother will intercede to obtain similar healing for our intentions today.
We re-open on Wednesday, January 1, to celebrate the Solemnity and Holy Day of Obligation of Mary, Mother of God. We will observe our normal schedule: 10:30 am Open & Eucharistic Exposition, 11:00 am Confessions, Noon Mass followed by the Holy Rosary. The Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the foundational Marian feast. All other commemorations of Our Lady are based on this Dogma. What better way to begin the new year than by honoring the Queen of Peace and worshipping the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Blessed rose petals will also be made available on January 1.
In 2025 we will be open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
The Jubilee Year of Hope begins December 24, 2024 and lasts until January 6, 2026. Our shrine has been designated as one of 12 official Archdiocesan Pilgrimage sites. FREE Jubilee Year booklets will be available at the Shrine by January 1. Come visit us and obtain a Plenary Indulgence for a poor soul in Purgatory or for yourself.
We at Terra Sancta Ministries wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year full of faith, health and hope. Thank you for all your support. You are making a difference for the conversion of the world and for the salvation of souls.
To communicate with me, please DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL but email me directly at [email protected] or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. O Oriens, Light of the world, have mercy on us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries