The Church places before our eyes

the “Four Last Things” during the month of November: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. Our earthly mortality and the great Mercy of God come together in perfect harmony as we prepare for death and judgment, and enter more deeply into the mystery of Purgatory. The saints prepared for death every day. Recognizing their sinfulness and unworthiness to enter into God’s kingdom, they threw themselves into the Arms of Divine Mercy with unbounded confidence and trust. With the Passion of Christ always before their eyes through the symbol of the Crucifix, they received divine grace and strength to carry their own crosses in a spirit of expiation for their sins and as a preparation for their death.

Marian Messenger News of the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Detroit Archdiocesan Division November/December 2014

Fr. John’s Journal Fr. John Hedges, Spiritual Director World Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima

The Word was made flesh…. And dwelt among us.

Father Benedict Groeschel, who died on the feast of his spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi spent his life with a strong sense of his mortality and God’s mercy. He was realistic about human weakness and inconstancy; but strongly aware of God’s love. In his book, Healing the Original Wound, Fr. Groeschel wrote: “Angels can say yes and no to God. (their decision

was final for all eternity). Human beings can say yes, no, maybe, contradict themselves, repent, go back on their repentance, commit ten thousand sins, and still die as saints! This peculiar human creature was loved by God so much, that the Son of God came into the world to save it. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).” For most of us who are serious about the spiritual life, we acknowledge that at the hour of death our spiritual journey will

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Groeschel

O Lord and let Perpetual light shine upon him! May he

rest in peace! Amen.

“For God so loved the world that

He gave His only Son…”

"I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus." St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

came to mind as I watched his funeral. I offered the Rosary for his soul and am now in the midst of 100 Masses for the souls in Purgatory with a special mention of this holy friar and Apostle for the Holy Souls! Father Groeschel also wrote extensively about the mystery of Purgatory. His favorite mystic was St. Catherine of Genoa who in her writings, refutes those who give dismal images of this great mystery. The Scriptures tell us that “the souls of the just are in the hands of God” (Wisdom 3:1) and St. Catherine writes from her experience: “I see the sufferings of the souls in purgatory are endurable because of two considerations. The first is the willingness to suffer,

the certainty that God has been most merciful to them in the light of what they deserved and of what God offers them. If God’s mercy did not temper His justice—that justice which has been satisfied with the Blood of Jesus Christ—one sin alone would deserve a thousand eternal hells. Knowing, therefore, that they suffer justly, those souls accept the ordinance of God and would not think of doing otherwise.

The other consideration that sustains those souls is a certain joy that is never wanting and that indeed, increases as they

come closer to God. Their rejoicing is for God’s ordinance, His love and mercy, into which each soul sees according to his capacity. These insights are not of the soul’s own doing, they are seen in God, in whom they are more absorbed than in their own suffering, for the briefest vision of God far surpasses any human joy or suffering.” We can hardly paint a horrible picture of Purgatory and still say that the dead who are on their spiritual journey toward their heavenly reality are safely in the hands of God. During the “Month of the Holy souls” pray for them unceasingly in the Rosary and especially at Holy Mass. The souls you help to “liberate” will be your friends forever!

“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord!”

continue into the next world in Purgatory. St. Claude de la Colombiere who was spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, at the time of her mystical experiences with the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1675, appeared to this holy nun after his

death in 1682, and revealed to her that he had to pass through Purgatory before being admitted into heaven. In one of the apparitions of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary our Lord referred to St. Claude as “My faithful servant and perfect friend.” Our Lord also told St. Faustina that she had to expiate her sins in Purgatory, but offered her the alternative of extending her life on earth where she could endure great suffering for poor sinners. She chose the latter! If this is the case with the saints, what will it be for us who don’t quite rise to the level of sanctity?! I watched Father Groeschel’s funeral on television and wondered what he would think about all the praise and adulation he received. I remember what he said on many occasions with regards to his own funeral. In his book, Arise from Darkness, Fr. Groeschel wrote: “Apart from such rare exceptions of holy souls, I dislike a funeral that’s a canonization, especially of people who, with the most kindly of

estimates, are going to have a long stay in Purgatory eating Twinkies and drinking room-temperature, bubble-gum flavored soda. Give me a break! When I go, cry a little bit, please. If you come, cry even if you have to pretend. At least look a little sad. Don’t sing “Alleluia,” whatever you do, I don’t want to be

commuting up from Purgatory to haunt people.” This humorous treatment of his own death

  Our Lady of Fa ma Shrine had a full house on Monday, October 13th as we celebrated Mass in honor of the Miracle of the Sun.  Many of our guests traveled from quite a distance to hear Father John’s homily on what he called ‘the greatest miracle since the resurrec on of Christ.’ Father led us in benedic on and the rosary, which added to the joy of the feast day.

  Students from each class of Gabriel Richard Catholic High School in Riverview visited Our Lady of Fa ma Shrine recently. Pictured below is the Junior Class.  The students prayed the rosary during their visit and learned about the messages of Fa ma.  Each student was given a blessed rosary.  Keep these students in your prayers and if you know a school who would like to visit, please let us know.

Pray the Rosary · Wear the Scapular

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The Holy Mass Schedule

November

November 1st, First Saturday Mass 8:00A.M. November 7th, First Friday, 7:00 P.M.

December

December 5th, First Friday, 7:00 P.M. Followed by all night Adoration

December 6th, First Saturday Mass 8:00 A.M.

Rosary and confessions begin 1/2 hour before Masses

Virtus Men’s Prayer Group

Virtus Men’s Prayer Group has regular meetings: 9:00 AM-10:30 in the Chapel on

2nd and 4th Saturdays.

St. Michael the Archangel holy hour: Third Thursdays, 7:30 P.M.

St. Joseph Bookstore hours

Before and after all Masses Wednesdays 11:00 A.M.— 4:00 P.M. Saturdays 11:00 A.M.— 4:00 P.M.

Our bookstore is staffed by volunteers so feel free to call in

advance to be sure someone is there to assist you. (734)281-1445.

If you would like to help at the bookstore please call Jane Lenart at (734) 413-3016

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart

like unto Thine!