From today’s Feast of the Triumph of the Cross to “the Woman” at the foot of the Cross—Our Lady of Sorrows tomorrow—we Christians are called to help people in their sorrows and suffering. I am going to Jordan this coming Sunday, September 21, and will help our fellow Christians there who have been adversely affected by the Gaza War. (The week of September 22-27 the Shrine will be open like normal with our Noon Mass on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.) Representing our ministry, Terra Sancta Ministries, I will help two parishes whose priests—Fr. Johny Bahbah & Fr. Firas Aridah—were pastors of the parish Terra Sancta Ministries has been helping: St. Joseph’s in Jifna (the West Bank). Both priests are now stationed in Jordan. I will also visit an orphanage and help some other Christians as much as possible. If you wish to give alms—to help Christians there who carry the cross of unemployment or underemployment, insecurity and an uncertain future—please let me know or bring your alms (cash preferably) to the Shrine (St. Joseph Chapel & the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) this week. I will give 100% of our received alms away.
Tomorrow, the Third Monday, Sept. 15, is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows and our Evening of Reparation. Doors open at 6:30 pm with Eucharistic Exposition and Confession available upon request; 7:00 pm Holy Hour and 8:05 pm Mass. How fitting to offer reparation in union with Our Lady who, after her Son, offered the greatest reparation in history!
Our Bible Study on Genesis 12-50 will continue this Saturday, Sept. 20 immediately after Mass (about 12:45 pm) in the Lower Level. The textbook we will be using is Curtis Mitch and Scott Hahn’s, The Book of Genesis, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
To communicate with me, please email me directly at abunaalex@yahoo.com or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries