Saint Peter Claver Detroit

No Such Thing as a Quick Goodbye

A visiting friend chose Saint Peter Claver as the next parish to visit on my Year of Faith journey. Nestled on the West-side of Detroit, the parish was called Precious Blood Catholic Church until merging with St. Francis de Sales a few years back.

Upon entering the church, we were greeted and hugged by those already gathered for Mass. Later, during  the Sign of Peace the entire congregation made sure no one person was left out of the peaceful tidings. And what amazed us more was after Mass there was no quick goodbye. You couldn't just get up and leave, rushing to the closest exit. Outstretched hands and embracing arms where all around ready to draw you into conversation. There was no quick goodbye as the entire congregation was eager to converse and inquire. I felt as though I was at a family reunion. Or like those childhood times when my mother would pick me up from a friend's house and announce "let me just say 'goodbye' and then we will be on our way". We knew then that we had at least thirty more precious minutes of play time because there were no such thing as a quick goodbye.

Here is a congregation gathered in the House of the Lord that desires to participate in Mass. Church is not an obligation to the congregation of St. Peter Claver. And yet so often church services are treated as just one more obligation in our week. Mass is often reduced to a time frame, a block of time in our schedules. Mass should feel more like those relished moments of childhood when your mother says goodbye and you know deep down it won't be a quick. It will be a goodbye where you can savor and love each and every extra minute.

Saint Aloysius Detroit

Prayer Break.
During my Year of Faith journey I developed the habit of scheduling prayer breaks into my day. On my quest to visit the Catholic churches in Detroit I have come to know the locations and Mass times of churches near and far. So whether I am working or just running errands prayer breaks have become an important part of my day.

Some days I need of a prayer break because work doesn't want to stop. I relish the silence of  the church and then head back to work refreshed and calm. Prayer breaks give us perspective and a moment free from worry.

Some days I need a prayer break because I need to talk to a stranger. At Mass there is always the stranger ready to say "hello" or eager to chat for a minute or two. The gentleman standing outside who says a greeting as you enter. The parishioner eager to greet a new face and explain a bit of the church history. These interactions connect me to the world and I relish every one I have.

Some days I need a prayer break because I want to tell God "thank-you". Often, I take a prayer break just out of habit and find myself in the quiet of church suddenly thanking God for creation.

Take a prayer break. A prayer break doesn't have to be in a church. A quiet corner at work is perfect for a prayer break. Even taking that moment to say a silent prayer before eating lunch is a perfect prayer break. Taking a walk around the block can be a prayer break. I particularly like reciting the Glory Be as I walk.

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.

I took a prayer break at St. Aloysius in downtown Detroit.  Their lunchtime Mass is something I really look forward to, especially when I have the time to walk along Washington Blvd. afterwards and reflect on the Graces of life. 

Saint Anne Detroit - Something to Celebrate

My Year of Faith pilgrimage

 I have celebrated Mass in the dining room of a rectory, volunteered at a soup kitchen and even sang Happy Birthday in Polish. Catholic Detroit is full of surprises and full of graces. My Year of Faith pilgrimage has done more than just teach me about our faith, the pilgrimage has brought me closer to God.

St. Anne Church is the mother church for Detroit. Established in 1701 just after the city was founded along a strip of water connecting the Great Lakes. The building has changed over the years as fires and the trials of human life have necessitated it being rebuilt. But the parish endures and thrives welcoming the surrounding neighborhood and Catholics from all over Metro Detroit.

The Feast of Saint Anne is just days after the birthday of Detroit and this is why Saint Anne is the patroness of the city. For 312 years St. Anne has watched over Detroit, interceding on our behalf.  The city has survived catastrophic fire, disease outbreaks, riots, economic decline and now a looming bankruptcy. Through all this Detroit has survived and our faith has never been stronger. 

A strong and faithful Detroit was gathered on this Feast of St. Anne. The pews were full with the diversity of God's children. Our voices erupted as one singing praise to God in union with the angels and saints above. We joyfully processed with the statue of St. Anne after Mass gathering outside to pray the rosary. Outside as dusk fell candles twinkled around us like the stars of the heavens. Our voices echoed as we prayed the Glory Be and the Hail Mary.

 For 312 years, Detroiters have celebrated the feast day of our patroness St. Anne. For 312 years Catholic Detroiters have gathered to pray and worship. For 312 years Detroit has endured under the patronage of St. Anne and the grace of God. And 312 years from now, God's children in Detroit will gather and pray together.

God sustains all creation. This tenant of faith is beautifully expressed in the prayer Glory Be. This is a prayer that I recite throughout the day. When I am happy, thankful and full of joy I recite this prayer. Also, when I am sad or confused I will recite this prayer. This is a prayer that espouses our Faith in God, our Love of God and our Hope in God. This is a prayer that had a special glow when we prayed it aloud outside St. Anne's church in Detroit. That evening I know, despite looming bankruptcy and decades of decline, Detroit had still had three things.
Faith in God
Love of God
Hope in God