January 30, 2023

Dear Friends,

All the three “firsts” fall this week—First Wednesday, First Friday & First Saturday.  We will observe all at St. Joseph Chapel & the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341).  First Friday, February 3, is also the Feast of St. Blase.  We will have the individual blessing of throats during the Mass.

Our schedule is the following: we open at 10:30 am with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions at 11:00 am, Noon Mass, followed by the Holy Rosary. Weekdays we close at 1:30 pm, and on Saturday we close at 3:00 pm with Benediction.  (On First Friday the Rosary is at 11:30 am due to Sacred Heart devotions after Mass.  On First Saturday, after the Rosary, we also have the 15 minutes of reflection on the Mysteries of the Rosary as Our Lady of Fatima requested.

Epiphany Water is still available.  It is the most powerful Holy Water the Church has (except water blessed by a bishop) and is highly recommended for dealing with demonic disturbance.   

2 events NOT at St. Joseph Chapel:

  1. married couples’ retreat is available at the Cardinal Maida Library at Orchard Lake Schools (3535 Commerce Rd., Orchard Lake, MI 48324).  It is not for marriages in crisis, but for good marriages that need enhancement.  Fr. “Jay” (Jaroslaw Szymczak), will be coming from the Institute of the Holy Family in Warsaw, Poland, to lead the 2-day retreat (Saturday, Feb. 18: 8:00am-9:00 pm and Sunday, Feb. 19: 9:00 am-6:00 pm) along with “trainer couples” who have been through the retreat and now assist Fr. Jay.  Please call (248-602-7579) or email ([email protected]Fr. Bernard Witek for more information or to register.
  2. To help fight against human trafficking, especially of young women, the Christian Service of St. Andrew Parish (1400 Inglewood, Rochester, MI 48307) will host Night Angels on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7:00 pm in their gathering space.  They are an incredible ministry that goes right to the streets to help rescue trafficked victims.

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.  St. Blase, patron of healthy throats, pray for us!

In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM                                     
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries