Sunday, May 2, officially kicked off our 2021 CSA.  We thank all the parishioners who made it possible for our church to reach its C.S.A. quota last year. You deserve commendation for enabling our parish reach its goal. May you be blessed by the Lord! It is our hope that we will make our target again this year. Please, send your contribution to the parish office, collection basket, or directly to the Archdiocesan C.S.A. office. Kindly indicate on your check it is for C.S.A.

Dispensation has Ended

Archbishop Vigneron announced that the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days expired on Saturday, March 13, 2021. In its place, he is granting a number of particular dispensations for the faithful who may find themselves in specific circumstances.

PARTICULAR DISPENSATION INFORMATION

The general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (including the anticipatory Mass at 4:00pm or later on the previous day) is to be reinstated in the Archdiocese of Detroit effective Saturday, March 13, 2021.

Considering the grave obligation we have of being physically present with our brothers and sisters at Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation for the Eucharist, each of us is asked to make a good and sincere judgement as to whether these circumstances apply or not. Where doubt or confusion persists, consult any priest for clarity.

While the general dispensation is removed, there are specific instances where the dispensation will continue, as well as those circumstances where there is no obligation in the first place. One does not have an obligation to attend Mass on Sunday in the following circumstances:

1. You are ill or your health condition would be significantly compromised if you were to contract a communicable illness (i.e., you have underlying conditions or are in a high-risk category). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
2. You exhibit flu-like symptoms. Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
3. You have good reason to think you might be asymptomatic of a contagious illness (e.g., you were in recent contact with someone who tested positive for a contagious illness such as COVID or influenza). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
4. You care for the sick, homebound, or infirmed.
5. You are pregnant.
6. Those 65 years of age or older (per the CDC’s recommendation of high-risk individuals).
7. You cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own (e.g., no Mass is offered, you are infirmed, or, while wanting to go, you are prevented for some reason you cannot control (e.g., your ride did not show up, the church was at capacity).
8. If you have significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.

For questions about the application of any of these, please contact your pastor.

These categories will be reviewed in due course and revised as needed.

Those within categories #1-8 above must still observe the Lord’s Day and are encouraged to spend time in prayer on Sunday, meditating on the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection; an excellent way to do this is through participating in a broadcast of the Sunday Mass.

Spring Cleanup

Thank you to Arland, Jerry, Donna, Henry, John and Cy for attending and cleaning up the church grounds on May 8. Blessings to you all.

May Millennium Raffle Winners
$250 Chris Mannino #2373
$50 Mark Skalski #1165
$50 Marty Gleason #3778
$25 Amy Yednock #2611
$25 Jim McHale #2481
$25 Ryan Stewart #3583
$25 Amy Yednock # 2611
Congratulations to the winners this month. You still have 49 more chances to win. If you want a ticket contact: carol_bissa@yahoo.com

Thrift Store



Who is my neighbor??? Know someone struggling??? See a Vincentian and take them some food.....
 
Need Help?  Want to Help?
 
PLEASE CALL 313-372-0437
 St. Vincent de Paul Conference

(St. Raymond-Our Lady of Good Counsel )
Community Center , 20055 Joann Ave.
Tues. 9:30-11 am;        Thurs. 4:30-5:30 pm .  

St Raymond-Our Lady of Good Counsel has resumed in-person public mass. Social distancing and AOD guidelines will be observed. 

Any questions about St Raymond-Our Lady of Good Counsel please call 313-527-0525. Leave a message as office hours are limited until further notice or email:
infosaintraymond@gmail.com

St Vincent de Paul Emergency Services are still available (Tues 9:30-11am Thurs 4:30-5:30pm)
Call 313-527-0437

Bulletins are produced last Sunday of the month 


Please Note: If you are dropping off donation envelopes please use the mailbox outside the rectory. Thank you.
 

" ARE WE DRAWING CLOSER TO THE LORD?"    

In our previous reflections last month, we wanted to know whether or not we were there yet in terms of conquering the Covid-19 pandemic. After looking at the situation realistically we admitted that we were not there yet, despite the impressive progress we have made so far in the area of vaccination and other measures. This explains why we have thought it prudent to continue mask wearing in our churches for the time being as we continue to make progress in the defeat of the ugly Virus. Admittedly, the Center for Decease Control (CDC) has given their recommendation that those fully vaccinated may do away with masks unless they are flying or using other means of public transportation, nonetheless, we have opted to err on the side of over caution since the number of vaccinated people in the city is only 36% (as of 5/25/2021), and we may not easily identify those who aren't vaccinated yet. Hence, it is prudent to continue our mask-wearing at all our masses and other church indoor activities until further notice. Hopefully, before the end of summer we may be able to go mask-less by God's grace. As soldiers of Christ, let's make sacrifice for one another, especially those among us with compromised health condition. Thanks for your continued cooperation.     

     Our Gospel last Sunday (Trinity Sunday) reminds us of our call to spread the good news. Scripture scholars commonly describe today's Gospel as, "the great commission." In a military language, it can be called, "the marching orders to the church." This is because the church which comprises of every follower of Christ Jesus, including you and me, is mandated to go forth to proclaim the Gospel to the world. What a mission! And, what a mandate!

     The Church in every age needs to heed this mandate and embrace the marching orders to evangelize. But, are we doing that? Are we heeding the Lord's command to go out and bring people to Him? Do we see evangelization as central in the life of the Church today?

    My fellow reflectors and friends, one of the beauties of Families of Parishes is the emphasis on EVANGELIZATION and OUTREACH to lax Catholics, as well as the unchurched. But, to evangelize, we must first learn to draw closer to the Lord through personal prayer, selfless sacrifice for the well-being of our faith-community, and above all, through dynamic faith and compassion. Simply put, we ought to speak less and do more for Christ Jesus. By doing that we would increasingly draw closer and closer to the Lord.

     St. Augustine once said that we Christians cannot follow Christ with double talks. In other words, our "Yes" must be our "Yes", and our 'No" must be our "No."  A Christian of double talk is nothing but a counterfeit, an embarrassment to the Lord Jesus. 

      Edgar Guest puts it even better. According to him, "Fine words may be confusing, but example is always clear." I agree. Therefore, let us lead by example, not words. That's what our Lord and Master did.

       Think about it, and have a great month of June. Stay blessed!

        FR. MICHAEL CHIDI NKACHUKWU
 
PS: please check the website, social media, and email for any updates…




As we temporarily participate at Mass in this different way, each of us and our families are encouraged to make a daily Spiritual Communion by praying the following prayer:

My JESUS,

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
 
I love You above all things and I desire to receive You in my soul.
 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
 
I embrace You as I know You are already here with me,
and I unite myself wholly to You
 
Never permit me to be separated from You.
 
LORD, JESUS CHRIST, You are Alive
and we trust in Your unfailing love, grace, mercy, and care!
 
Amen

Online Donations can now be made at:

give.aod.org

(Weekly giving or CSA donations)

 

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