July 27, 2022
Dear Friends,
I wanted to update you on what is going on at St. Joseph Chapel & the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Yes, we are still projected to RE-OPEN early September. Progress in our renovation construction is being made. The lighting/electrical work is basically complete. We will have a much better illuminated (and safer) premises and thus will be able to host evening events. The concrete walkway for the outdoor Stations of the Cross has been set so that we can pray that devotion outdoors—even at nighttime. The concrete for the new handicap ramp and front steps is about to be poured. Thank you Heavenly Father for these blessings, and thank you St. Joseph for guiding everything. WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND DONATIONS. Please continue to pray since the Holy Spirit has helped us many time to make wise choices.
First Saturday is next Saturday, August 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration. It will be held at the Stone Chapel of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish. The schedule is …
(9:20-11:00 am) Confessions
(9:45 am) Exposition
(11:00 am) Holy Mass
(12:00 pm) Exposition & Rosary
(1:00 pm) Close
If you have Mass Intentions, please EITHER (1) bring them to Mass in a sealed envelope (with your donation inside) and give them to a volunteer, (2) fill out one of our white Mass Intention envelopes that will be in the pews or (3) mail them to us at St. Joseph Chapel, 400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341. Please make checks out to “Terra Sancta Ministries.” Your donations and Mass Intentions are VERY appreciated. They help us stay afloat in these times of skyrocketing prices. Thank you!
Michigan is contending with perhaps the most extreme pro-abortion bill in the country (“Reproductive Freedom for All”). Please inform yourself by visiting the website of Citizens to Support Michigan Women & Children (https://supportmiwomenandchildren.org/) and read through it thoroughly. I hope to start Pro-Life Holy Hours to pray against the proposed evils of the bill and that it be defeated at the General Election on Nov. 8 (assuming all its petition signatures are validated by the state).
Please mark your calendar for two Marian feasts that we will hold at my fellow Franciscans’ parish—Transfiguration Parish—in Southfield (25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033). Both feasts fall on a Monday and both Masses will begin at 7:00 pm followed by the Rosary. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a Holy Day, but not obligatory this year) is on August 15 and Obligatory Memorial of the Coronation/Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is on August 22. We will pray an Act of Consecration on the Feast of the Queenship.
We have many more wonderful events scheduled for September and especially October—the month of the Holy Rosary. If you know someone who would like to be on this email blast list, please let me know by at least providing me their name and email address. God bless you!
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. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries