We Are Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish

October 24, 2024

On October 21, 2024, Archbishop Allen Vigneron issued a decree that relegates Saint James Church, Ferndale, to secular but not unbecoming use; that is, the building will no longer be used as a church. The decision takes effect on November 4, 2024. A certified copy of the decree may be obtained by contacting the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Office, Oak Park. For additional information and assistance in understanding the details of this announcement, you may write to chancellor@aod.org.

St. James Church Closing Mass was Sunday, Nov. 3 at 11am.

Requests for Items from St. James Church

The parish office and Fr. Paul have received inquiries requesting items at St. James Church. All sacred and non-sacred objects are being inventoried by Sr. Esther Mary Nickel, Director of Sacred Worship for the Archdiocese of Detroit. ALL inquiries/requests should be put in writing, with a clear description of the item(s), and directed to Sr. Esther Mary and sent to:

nickel.esthermary@aod.org

Thank you for your cooperation.

Advent Giving Opportunity

Advent 2024 begins Sunday, December 1, 2024.  Once again, this year our Family of Parishes is doing a family wide giving opportunity – a Reverse Advent Calendar. Typically, Advent calendars are filled with candy and you open one each day starting December 1 and ending on Christmas Eve. A Reverse Advent Calendar allows you to donate or give something each day – Thus giving instead of getting. Franciscan Outreach will benefit from this giving opportunity. So, grab a box and begin filling it with the items listed on the calendar. Bring your filled box back to Church by January 6, 2025. Please make sure that food items are unopened and not expired.

Click here to download the Reverse Advent Calendar

Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18

7pm Advent Evening Prayer

Thursday, December 5

11am Senior Social Club Meeting

Christmas Lunch $5—Gathering Area

Sunday, December 8

9am—11am Advent Pancake Breakfast

In Bradley Hall

$7.00 Adults, $5.00 Children, Under 3 is free

Menu includes original & cranberry pancakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, pastries, and beverages.

All You Can Eat!

5pm Women’s Advent by Candlelight

Church & Gathering Area

We invite the women of our Family of Parishes to join us for this special evening. Take some time for yourselves. This is an opportunity for us to set aside the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations and focus our hearts and minds on the Advent Season. To help us with planning please RSVP by noon Tuesday, Dec. 3rd, by contacting Barbara Urbiel at 313.595.3054 or barbara.urbiel@gmail.com

Friday, December 20

7pm Blue Christmas Service

A Blue Christmas service is a quiet, contemplative service that usually happens on or near the winter solstice. The day, which has the longest night and the shortest day, is symbolic of our darker nights when we find ourselves grieving, lonely, or longing for something better. The Blue service is all about making space during a season that is noisy with celebration, to acknowledge the “both/and” of our emotions. It’s an avenue of making space for beautiful pastoral care and compassionate community for those who are struggling.

Is The Name “Blue Christmas” Connected With The Elvis Song?

Before you continue singing the song, the Blue Christmas service has nothing to do with Elvis, but it does have to do with missing someone or something. This service makes room for sadness, loneliness, or loss during the holidays.

A Fond Farewell….

I wanted to say a few words of farewell, before my last working day of December 1^st for our Family of Parishes ~ I’ve been so blessed to get to know you, work and minister with you, and I thank you all for your gift of friendship :) I will miss you all!

When I interviewed for the position, I did not yet know that I would be diagnosed with cancer – and when Fr. Jeff offered me the role, I felt I had to tell him about my diagnosis, and that I would fully understand if he and the priests decided to retract the offer. He smiled at me and said “no, we want you”! I’ll never forget this, and how the priests in solidum and parishioners welcomed me with open arms!

The support I’ve had from all of you during my cancer journey - your patience with me as we worked together while I recuperated - is something I’ll never forget… I’ve been so blessed in this role, and the Lord brought it to me at a time that was absolutely perfect.

I know everyone says let’s stay in touch when they have to physically part ways – but I truly hope that you will, and that from time to time we can check in and fill each other in on how our lives are going!

May God Bless You All,

Christina Ihlenfeldt

Director of Discipleship Formation

Family of Parishes Monthly Prayer Intention

Our Mother of Perpetual Help’s

November Prayer Intention

That we may be thankful for the blessings we have; generous to those in need; and hopeful to build a faith community committed to peace, justice and love. We pray to the Lord…

Action Steps:

To show gratitude for and acknowledge our blessings by giving back and helping others by sharing our time, talent, and treasure with organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, food panties, disaster relief agencies and organizations who support the homeless.

Our Lady of La Salette Parish

December Pray Intention for Family of Parishes

“Family Sent on Mission”

AN ADVENT PRAYER FOR WISDOM TO OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE

Queen of radiant Light, Blessed Lady of La Salette, grant us the grace to realize fully the great truth that God's ways are above our own.

Help us, through your loving example, to place before God our life and our talents, our time and our gifts.

May we always be ready to be used by God for all good things, great and small.

Grant that, through your loving intercession, we may be reconciled with God's gracious plan for us.

May your Son open our eyes in faith to see the path God bids us walk and may we be willing always to follow the Way that leads to life everlasting. Amen.

December Intention and Suggestions for the Universal Prayer:     

For our Family of Parishes: that,

For the grace of discernment: that we may have open hearts to hear God’s voice and faithfully say “yes” to the Lord’s call. We pray to the Lord.

For the healing of hearts and relationships during this holiday time: that our commitment to Christ may open paths to reconciliation within families, communities, and nations. We pray to the Lord.

 Possible Action Step:

• Go to confession. Celebrate God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Advent Evening of Reflection

Led by Fr. Jeff

This Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7pm

at Church of the Transfiguration

Click here for more info on Family Events, News and Information

Click here for map.

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Berkley KofC Council 3830

Annual Christmas Party fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul

FRIDAY DEC. 6^TH

6pm – 10pm

Holy Rosary Hall

2299 12 Mile Rd. Berkley

Admission is $5.00 per person plus a wrapped gift ($15 max value) for the raffles.

Dinner of ham and turkey will be served cafeteria style.  Up to three gift raffles will be held plus 50/50 drawings.  Please come and support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and help those in need.

Our vision is to be an extraordinary spiritual gathering place where people of all backgrounds and ages are welcome to question and learn, pray, worship, and serve.  In community through prayer and worship we hope to continue to grow together in our understanding and appreciation of God’s love.  We strive to change and improve our lives and the lives of others.

If you have not downloaded the parish mobile app please do so. For android products go to the Google Play Store WeConnect Parish App on your phone.  For apple products go to the Apple Store WeConnect Parish App on your phone. Or use the QR Code below.

Search for Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Remember to subscribe to the notifications you want to receive. 

The Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Office is located at 

13500 Oak Park Blvd. (on the northeast corner of Oak Park Blvd. and Coolidge Hwy.)

Oak Park, Michigan  48237

“If you want to destroy institutions or people, you start by speaking ill of them … watch out for slanderous communication.”