From the Pastor’s Desk by Fr. Terry Kerner,

The Christmas season runs until January Twelfth – the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The celebration of Christmas seemed to have come so quickly this year and now is quickly exiting off our calendars. In the midst of all this we find ourselves observing Epiphany – the visitation of the Magi to the Holy Family. Bearing gifts, they paid tribute to the newborn King of the Jews. As Christians we are so blessed with so many incredibly beautiful images and striking scenarios taking place around the birth of our Savior. May we never fail to appreciate the beauty and message of Christmas and the blessings it brings.

With the same spirit of appreciation, I want to thank all of you for so many generous gifts you have given. I will be working well into the next several weeks with my notes of gratitude. Know that all your thoughtfulness is appreciated. Also, gratitude needs to be extended to our parish staff for all the multiple preparations they made to help us celebrate this beautiful season. All our liturgical ministers enable us throughout the year, and especially this season, to pray reverently. Thank you to all of you.

The new year will see some dramatic changes and challenges. Our Family of Parishes, which includes St. Alphonsus – St. Clement, and St. Barbara, St. Maria Goretti, and St. Kateri parishes, will have one less priest to serve us. On December 13th we learned that Fr. Greg Deters, primarily serving SS. Alphonsus & Clement and Allegria Village, is taking an early retirement for health considerations. Archbishop Vigneron has granted him Senior Status. As his parish Administrator and Family Moderator it fell to me to make some decisions and seek adequate priestly service for SS. Alphonsus – Clement. As of January fourth, Fr. Greg will reside at Marycrest in Livonia. Greetings and well wishes for him can be given through the parish office. We his brother priests, have all appreciated ministering with Fr. Greg through the years and will continue to appreciate his friendship.

With the loss of one priest in our Family of Parishes we now have only three to serve all four parishes. This has necessitated the following changes for

SS. Alphonsus – Clement Parish:

  • Saturday, 6:00 pm Mass at Allegria Village Chapel is discontinued.
  • Beginning the week of January 6th weekday Masses at SS. Alphonsus-Clement will be celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 am.
  • The Weekend Mass schedule remains the same, i.e. Saturday confessions at 3pm , Mass at 4pm and Sunday at I0am. Please pray for a smooth and gentle transition for all our parishioners involved with the changes.

On the feast of Epiphany there is an ancient custom of announcing the dates of the moveable feasts for the coming year. Let me take a moment to announce that Easter is celebrated this year on April 20th – just around the corner!

Have a good week.