Our Lady of Refuge Parish

Bishop Walter A. Hurley

Assisting Priests
Fr. Banazak, Fr. Brooks, Fr. Sabadell

Street Address

3700 Commerce Road
Orchard Lake, Michigan 48324

Mailing Address

3725 Erie Drive
Orchard Lake, Michigan 48324

Telephone

248.682.0920

View/Download the Bulletin

Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Livestream Mass: Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

Link to Livestream

Weekday Mass Schedule:

8:15 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Adoration of the Eucharist Fridays following the 8:15 a.m. Mass until 11:00 a.m.

Holy Days:

8:15 a.m. during school, otherwise
9:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

facebook

Update my email address online

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Holy Day of Obligation

Mass Times

Friday, December 8th
8:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Notes from Bishop Hurley – December 3rd

December 3, 2023

Advent:

This week we begin our celebration of season of Advent. It is a time of hope and expectation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Lord and His final coming in glory. Again this year the parish is making available “The Little Blue Book” which this year consists of six minute reflections on the Infancy narrative of St. Luke. These booklets prepared by the diocese of Saginaw are based on the writings of Bishop Kenneth Untener. They are prepared seasonally and have been an inspiration for many. Each family is welcome to take a copy for Advent reflection and prayer. There is no charge or offering expected for these booklets.

I have mailed an Advent Christmas letter to all registered parishioners and have included the Advent/ Christmas schedule (pdf) for your convenience. You will also find a copy of my letter as well as the schedule in this weeks bulletin.

This Friday is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the United States. It is also a holyday of obligation. Masses are at 8:15 am and 7:00 pm.

Mass Schedule:

You will note that with the multiple masses scheduled for Christmas we have not scheduled an 8:00 am Mass on Sunday, December 24th and December 31st. It is also my understanding that this was the practice every Sunday during the recent pandemic.

All parishes in the Archdiocese have been asked to review their Mass schedules, and looking at Mass attendance, consider consolidation of the number of Masses offered in each parish where it is possible to do so.

In October of each year all parishes are asked to do a Mass count on two weekends and to review the need for those presently scheduled. For the past year these Mass counts at Our Lady of Refuge were done on:

October 14th and 15th
5:00 pm 114
8:00 am 119
9:30 am 194
11:30 am 223
Total: 630		October 21st and 22nd
5:00 pm 118
8:00 am 119
9:30 am 217
11:30 am 223
Total: 728

As you may know the seating capacity of the church is currently 700 per Mass. Presently and for some years the church is generally about half filled at any weekend Mass. From our records we know that these numbers have not changed significantly over the past number of years.

Effective December 24th we will discontinue the 8:00am Mass as part of our regular Sunday Mass schedule. While I realize this will represent an inconvenience for some, we will continue to have 3 weekend Masses (1 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday) which is consistent with the neighboring parishes we work with.

I am grateful for your understanding in this matter as you are in so many others.

Retirement fund for Religious: Each year there is an annual collection to assist religious communities (mostly women) meet the expenses of providing for the sisters who served in our schools and parishes years ago on minimum wages and no provisions for retirement. This collection is a way to thank the religious women and men who gave their lives to serve in our schools and parishes over the many years. The Church in the United States despite all it’s weaknesses is still strong and vibrant. Much of this strength and vibrancy is because of the dedication and commitment of religious serving in our schools and institutions in the past. They now need our support in their old age. Their absence in our parishes and schools today is a great loss. Envelopes for this collection will be found in the pews and I invite your generosity. Please return your envelopes in the Sunday collection.

Wishing you God’s every blessing,
Bishop Walter A. Hurley

Liturgy of the Word for Children

Children between the ages 4 and 7 are invited to attend this program through the school year. During the 11:30am Mass, children between the ages of 4 and 7 will be dismissed to the Social Hall to hear the Word of God proclaimed specifically to them and at their level. This is a great way to introduce your young children to Bible stories and to get them participating at Mass.

Families of Parishes

Link to more information

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This