We will be OPEN TOMORROW, Friday, January 16, at St. Joseph Chapel & the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341). We are open EVERY Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with a Noon Mass. Monday, January 19, the Third Monday, is our Evening of Reparation: at 6:30 pm doors open with Eucharistic Exposition and Confession upon request; 7:00 pm Holy Hour of Reparation and a Mass of Reparation to follow. Come PRAY FOR OUR TROUBLED COUNTRY which needs your prayers NOW more than ever so Jesus can unleash His Mercy upon these United States.
When I was in Loreto, Italy, with my mom back in September, 2024, we visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto run by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars. One of the friars was an exorcist assigned just to the Basilica. In it is the famous “Holy House of Loreto” which is reputed to be the House of the Holy Family (I believe it)—perhaps the largest relic in the world. He only does his exorcisms in the Holy House because of its sanctity. Deeming him knowledgeable about Italy’s spiritual condition, I asked the friar-exoricst what, in his opinion, is the #1 pastoral problem in Italy. He said “ignorance of the Faith” and that we “should start with Jesus Christ and the Catechism and teach the Faith.”
My attempt to do this begins this Saturday, January 17, with catechesis on the Catholic Worldview. We will meet after Mass (not after the Rosary) in the Lower Level. Beginning with when Public Revelation ended and Creation to the Final End of time, we will discuss how we Catholics should look at the world to walk with faith and confidence no matter who tries to call it into question. After this, we will discuss Jesus’ Mission to “make disciples of all nations.” He established a Church “built to last” so we who follow Him can fulfill this Great Commission. If we don’t make disciples for the Divine Master, evildoers will make disciples for the Devil. This is the great cosmic battle we are engaged in. We have the Holy Angels, the Saints and the Blessed Mother on our side to help us make disciples for Jesus lest people become disciples of the Enemy.
Right now, and for some years, Jesus has been and is appearing to thousands of Iranian Muslims (as “the man in white”) in their dreams and supernatural visions. Jesus is bypassing the fanatic religious censorship of the Islamic Republic. He is taking matters into His own hands and appearing directly to Muslims who, after encountering Him, are becoming Christian. Christianity is arguably grower faster in Iran than any other country in the world (perhaps a subtext of the protests there). So knowing our Catholic worldview will help us understand what is going on (Ven. Bishop Sheen: “Only those who live by faith really know what is happening in the world.”), encourage nonbelievers to become Christian, welcome such seekers, and persevere unto salvation. We can discuss this phenomenon, if desired.
To communicate with me, please email me directly at abunaalex@yahoo.com 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