February 12, 2024
Dear Friends,
Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, February 14. It begins our Lenten observance and renews the call to live the First Great Commandment to love God with all our heart. Valentine’s Day coincides with Ash Wednesday. Please plan ahead to give the primacy to the liturgical and penitential observance of Ash Wednesday.
St. Joseph Chapel (400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341) will be OPEN for Ash Wednesday with Mass at Noon. Ashes will be distributed only during Mass and will not be available out of Mass.
We will be open for the Fridays of Lent. (We will not be open for Good Friday which does not fall during Lent but during the Sacred Triduum.) The Rosary will be prayed at 11:30 am to precede Mass since the Stations of the Cross will follow Mass.
Tom Meagher will continue to teach “Catholic Matters Apologetics” after Mass from 1:00-2:00 pm on these following Saturdays: February 17, 24, (skip First Saturday), March 9, 16 and 23. The classes provide the Catholic perspective on issues upon which Catholics and Protestants differ—such as the nature of the Church or salvation. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME AND LEARN the Faith Jesus gave the Apostles because it is this truth through which Jesus leads us to Heaven and the full measure of holiness we are meant to have. A FREE brochure will be available for each topic for each attendee.
Our second “Come and See” Meeting (an informational meeting) to learn about becoming a member of the Franciscan Third Order as a “Secular Franciscan”—someone who lives in the world as a lay person but lives out the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi—will be on Monday, February 26. It will be at 7:00-8:00 pm in the lower level of St. Joseph Chapel. Franciscan friar Father Alex Kratz, and formator, Sandy McNeely, will provide a presentation followed by Q&A. IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND THIS MEETING AND MISSED THE JANUARY MEETING BUT ARE STILL INTERESTED (or for more information), contact Fr. Alex (see below).
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. Our Lady of the Cape, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries