Holy Family Church Detroit

"Increase our faith."-Luke

So often, like the apostles, we yearn for a deeper and stronger faith. Our world is full of violence, sadness, and loss that can erode faith. When a loved dies, when a child dies, and when war strips compassion from the earth we find reason to lose faith.

What will increase our faith? Perhaps a set of rules. Perhaps fasting or attending daily prayer service? Or certainly some sign from God, since surely it is God's responsibility to increase our faith.

Or is it our responsibility? And how do we measure faith? Maybe sometimes we need to lose faith in order to increase in faith.

On a rainy Sunday morning in downtown Detroit I pondered this homily message at Holy Family Church. All through the Latin Mass I struggled to keep up, always a few moments behind in the kneeling and standing. When it was time for the readings and homily I felt relief since it was back to English. 

Faith can be a struggle and the struggle is part of being Christian. We can follow all the rules, fast and pray and still struggle in faith. During the homily the priest explained that we must open ourselves to grace and open ourselves to God so that we may increase in faith.

And there lies the challenge.

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Pilgrim Detour - Vespers at Shrine of the Little Flower Royal Oak

A vespers service celebrating the Feast of Saint Therese, the Little Flower, prompted me to make a return visit to Shrine Church in Royal Oak. This wasn't my only return visit, since I love showing visitors this amazing Art Deco worship space. That evening I was excited to find out that the church is applying for designation as a Minor Basilica.

Attending vespers is new to me as a Catholic. While the Office of Vespers is rooted in the ancient church, I have somehow missed participating in this beautiful service. There is a sense of wonder when a lifelong Catholic experiences such a service for the first time. Wonder? maybe awe is a better description of the feeling, or better yet, joy! There is an intense flood of joy as the incense smoke billows heavenwards. A feeling of intense joy as we recite psalms and sing the Magnificat. Yes, a feeling of joy as we proclaim the greatness of God.

That evening Shrine Church was filled with many joyful voices praying as one. Indeed, it sounded heavenly. Catholicism celebrates the voice, an instrument given to us by God. We honor Him with song. We proclaim the Good News with our voices, lifting up our words joyfully in hymns.

Find vespers near you and attend. This is a tradition that must be rediscovered by the faithful.

 

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Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament - Detroit

My Year of Faith journey continues with a visit to the Cathedral.

I thought I would conclude my Year of Faith pilgrimage with Mass at the Cathedral. Instead, with quite a few more churches to visit, I participated in a tranquil Saturday morning Mass. Tucked away in the side chapel of the immense stone structure, a good number of worshipers had gathered on a brisk weekend morning. I could see the immensity of the central worship space between the delicate stonework making up one side of the chapel and the Mass began and ended with a song.

 During the homily the priest reflected on the presence of God in the Eucharist and then he paused and sat, allowing us to meditate on this.

Nestled below soaring stone arches and columns I reflected on this awesome truth. God is present in the Eucharist. In silence with other believers I contemplated the awesomeness of that presence. On a quiet Saturday morning in the Cathedral I found myself humbled.

SS. Andrew and Benedict Detroit

Living Votive

All eyes were upon me as I entered SS. Andrew and Benedict on a Monday morning. It's easy to spot the newcomer at weekday Mass since those attending are usually a tight knit group. Greeted by smiles from the parishioners, I was looking for a place to sit when  I spotted St. Dominic smiling at me from a church window. Then, a certain brightness filled the church as our prayers and smiles blazed like candles.


And then during Mass, as we prayed for parishioners and loved ones, the priest said that we are all "living votive candles". And now days later I keep reflecting on those words; living votive candles. The priest explained that we light votive candles so our prayers continue to be offered up as the candle burns. As a living votive our prayers never cease since we are like candles burning before the alter of God.  And like the flame of a votive candle our prayer brings light to the world.

I realized why it was so bright inside SS Andrew and Benedict. The church was blazing with the light of living votive flames. And here lies the challenge I have pondered in the days following Mass. How do we as Christians become living votive candles that light the world?

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