Guadalupe novena begins Dec. 3

A novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, is scheduled for Dec. 3-12, 2013 at St. Pius V Parish Church. Services each evening begin with the rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by 7 p.m. Mass and prayer throughout the night.

The preacher for the novena is Father Jose Gustavo Correa Parra who was born in Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico. He was ordained in 1997 in Morelia, Michoacan, and has served in the parishes of Holy Family, Salamanca, Gto., San Martin de Porres, Morelia, Mich., And San Jose de la Palma. He is currently rector of the Church of St. Carmen, Morelia, Michoacan, Coordinator of Social Ministry in the Archdiocese of Morelia, chaplain at the Lasalle University Campus, Morelia, and president of Santa Fe shelter for women victims of domestic violence.

We would be honored by your presence.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of our parishioners at St. Pius V, our friends, and all those you love: a very happy, peaceful, and safe Thanksgiving Day!

Thanksgiving Day at St. Pius V is one of my favorite events of the year. We celebrate at 11 a.m. with a Mass of thanksgiving for all of the blessings of the year, then we serve a big Thanksgiving dinner for our guests, most of whom are in need of a warm meal and a welcoming smile. It is one of those moments when the relationship between these events – Mass upstairs and soup kitchen downstairs – is abundantly clear: Jesus units us as friends around the table of Eucharist, tells us that we are all one in the Body of Christ, and reminds us that where our Eucharistic gathering ends the table of service to neighbor begins.

I hope you can join us on Thursday, but if you can’t, please be united with us in spirit and prayer.