Welcome to our Missionary Priest! Every year we welcome someone who participates in our Lord’s command to all His disciples: “Go to the ends of the earth….” This weekend, we invite Fr. Francis Horn, an Augustinian priest who will be doing our Mission Appeal at the Cathedral. He will be sharing with us the work being done by his Augustinian brothers in the foreign missions in Japan and Peru. A special collection will be taken to support the missionaries serving the poor and forgotten of the world. Fr. Horn entered the Augustinians in 1967 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1975. He has served as principal of two high schools run by the Augustinians, has worked in the formation program of the Order, and has held several positions in provincial administration. He currently serves as Treasurer and Mission Coordinator of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and resides at the Augustinian monastery on the campus of Villanova University. I ask you to shine the hospitality we are known for here in our cluster with Fr. Horn, and to share generously of the financial blessings which God has bestowed upon you to enhance their ministry.
Fr. Joe Kirkconnell: Speaking of traveling priests, I want you to be aware that Fr. Joe Kirkconnell’s final Mass is this weekend at St. Moses and next weekend at the Cathedral. We will then welcome Fr. Tim Laboe who will help us out after Fr. Joe leaves. I have only heard great feedback from you about Fr. Joe; please make sure he hears it directly from you! Thank you Fr. Joe! It has been great having you and you have really helped us.
Fr. Solanus Anniversary: We are approaching the first celebration of the Memorial of Blessed Solanus Casey on July 30. When Archbishop Vigneron hosted the celebration of Blessed Solanus’ beatification last fall at Ford Field, he reminded us that God’s providence brought this saintly man to us and because of that we are renewed in confidence that “God loves Detroit.” I agree, and I love this amazing friar’s story. I invite you to continue to be in relationship with Blessed Solanus today, since many graces, healings, and miracles are continually being attributed to him. This may be a prayer you can utilize daily:
O God, who in your providence conformed
Blessed Francis Solanus Casey to the image
of your son making him tireless in service
to the poor, by his intercession and example,
grant also to us the same generosity and joy in
giving ourselves in service to our neighbor.
Also, leading up to the first-ever celebration of this feast day, the Solanus Casey Center is offering a nine-day novena series of prayers and Masses beginning today (July 22-30). Each day of the novena focuses on a particular area of Blessed Solanus Casey’s life and ministry. For more information, go to their website.
God Bless! Fr. J.J.