September 27, 2024
Dear Friends,
Tomorrow for Mass at St. Joseph Chapel (400 South Blvd., Pontiac, MI 48341), I will report on my trip to Italy in connections with the readings for Mass. I will give a spiritual perspective and assessment, especially about my visit to the amazing Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto with the (I think) authentic Holy House of Our Lady from Nazareth. It is staffed by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars whom I got to know a bit. (They all knew about Blessed Solanus Casey of Detroit!) When her feast comes on December 10, I plan to give a full-fledged talk on Our Lady of Loreto.
Next week we have First Wednesday, First Friday and First Saturday (plus the Feasts of St. Francis of Assisi & St. Faustina). We need to observe these days more than ever since with Jesus, Mary & Joseph we can overcome any odds.
With elections coming up, I know there are different ways of praying for favorable outcomes. I plan to open up St. Joseph Chapel up in the evenings—more on that later. For now, I recommend praying (besides the Rosary and Eucharistic adoration, etc.) the 30 Day Prayer to St. Joseph which I always use for big intentions. I can email it to anyone, you can find it online or get a free hard copy from us at St. Joseph Chapel. Don’t wait but begin to pray immediately. I especially recommend covering Michigan—with all its counties and precincts—with fervent, sustained intercessory prayer but also PENNSYLVANIA since it is said to be the pivotal electoral state for victory.
COMING EVENTS include…
- Tuesday, October 1 we will begin to offer an 8:30 am Mass on days we don’t have a Noon Mass. Thus, Tuesdays, Thursdays & non-First Fridays we will offer it. (Mondays we will be closed). We will keep the Noon First Friday Mass.
- Friday, October 4 which, for Franciscans, is a Solemnity as we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi with a solemn Noon Mass followed by a reception (open to all) and a 7:00 pm Pet Blessing outside (weather permitting) in front of the shrine-grotto. (Please know that the WHOLE campus is actually “the shrine”—not just what we call the “shrine-grotto.”)
- Monday, October 7 we will be OPEN for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (normal hours).
- Saturday, October 12 I will begin a class on Catholic Social Teaching on Contemporary Issues based on Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, STD’s book, Sanctify Them in Truth: How the Church’s Social Doctrine Addresses the Issues of Our Time (TAN Books). Beginning tomorrow, September 4, we will have the book available for $15.00 (limited amount) at St. Joseph Chapel. You may, of course, also purchase it on your own. The class will run for 7 Saturdays. Green FLIERS are available with class dates and topic titles.
- Also on October 12 will have our outdoor Rosary Rally.
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 Loreto, pray for the United States of America!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries