A Letter from Archbishop Vigneron
Remembering the 1967 Civil Disturbance in the City of Detroit
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ~Matthew 5: 9
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This week marks 50 years since an early-morning raid on a "blind pig" after-hours bar at 12th Street and Clairmount sparked one of the largest civil disturbances in U.S. history, resulting in 43 deaths, nearly 1,200 injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. Although seeds of unrest were sown long before 1967, and solutions have proven elusive even 50 years on, we have made much progress in building up our community to be respectful of the rights of all its members. We can put our faith in Christ and remember His message to love one another.
As we recall these tragic events, let us lift our city, our region and one another in prayer. It is only by the grace of the Prince of Peace that we will find peace. Let us also pray for those touched by the violence of 1967, especially those who lost their lives and loved ones. Let us ask for the intercession of our patroness, Saint Anne as we mark this anniversary, and pray that the grace of healing, reconciliation and brotherhood take deeper root in every heart across our archdiocese. During the celebration of the Sunday Liturgies of July 22-23, 2017, I invite our parishes to offer several of the attached petitions for your community's General Intercessions.
Finally, as a visible sign of solidarity and brotherhood, I wish to draw attention to an opportunity to volunteer alongside men, women and youth from all faiths for a six-day Life Remodeled blight removal and beautification project taking place in the neighborhoods hardest hit by the 1967 civil disturbance. Visit
www.aod.org/liferemodeled
for more information or to register.
As Detroit's pioneer priest Fr. Gabriel Richard said following the great fire of 1805 that devastated the city: "We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes." As we recollect 1967, as we work toward healing, and as we move forward together in faith to unleash the Gospel in southeast Michigan, there can be no bystanders. As described in my pastoral letter, all of us in the archdiocese are to commit ourselves to building inter-cultural competency and breaking down barriers that still divide us. In reading the signs of the times in southeast Michigan, it is clear that we are a community that is ready for renewal. Let us make our remembering of 1967 a guidepost on that path to spiritual renewal.
As disciples of Christ, let us work together side-by-side to build a better City and region so that when people see our work, they will know us as His followers.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop Allen Vigneron
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Upcoming Event Registration
Vacation Bible School
August 7-11
Project Hope - 5k and Pray
August 12, 2017
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Thursday Faith Formation-Small Groups
The next Thursday Faith Formation Small Group gathering is listed below. The evening begins at 6:45. Refreshments will be provided (no dinner!) and feel free to bring a snack to share. Feel free to bring a comfortable chair on which to sit!
July 27-Solanus Casey (part 2)
This extraordinary film explores the heroic life of a remarkable, modern-day mystic, Father Solanus Casey, who was relegated to doing little more than being a simple doorman in his monastery. But God would transform the role his superiors assigned him, appointing it a far greater significance to be continued even beyond his earthly life: that of prophet, healer, and intercessor. Known as a wonder-worker and a powerful instrument of divine healing and hope, he touched countless lives. His untiring attention to the sick and poor, combined with his prayers, wise counsel, and burning faith brought an unprecedented outpouring of grief at his death in 1957. More than twenty thousand people attended the funeral of this selfless American-born priest. As a part of his canonization process, the exhumation of his body in 1987 revealed him to be "remarkably intact, and well preserved," seemingly defying corruption. One eyewitness was astonished to see a tiny glimpse of Fr. Solanus' piercing blue eyes again after being buried for thirty years!
A gripping story of this priest's simple and unshakable faith in God's goodness unfolds through interviews with his friends, colleagues, eyewitnesses, biographers, and direct recipients of his healing and prophecy. Rare, never-before-seen film footage and historical photographs are included with actual footage from the exhumation of this exemplary Servant of God.
Please see our website for more information and a complete
description
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Parish, School and Community News
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Christian Service Corner
The Capuchin's Detroit Legacy
The Christian Service Commission will be hosting our annual Capuchin Signature Drive the weekend of
August 26-27
to support their local Soup Kitchens. Envelopes will be on the church tables beginning August 12 if you would like to turn in a $20 donation and a signature early, otherwise, we hope you will consider making a donation after Masses in late August. Tables will be set up next to the carport, weather permitting.
While the Signature Drive supports the Meal Program, don't forget there are many other wonderful programs offered by the Capuchins. Allow me to share with you the opening paragraph on their website:
"Welcome to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, a ministry of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, we tend to people's basic needs, especially the need for food. We also stimulate minds, nourish spirits, and attempt to address root causes of social injustice. Founded in 1929 by Capuchin friars
Solanus Casey
and
Herman Buss
, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen serves the people of Metro Detroit. We welcome you...whether you are a guest in need of a hand up, a volunteer willing to assist, or a donor willing to support. Welcome to our ministry."
I know many of you support the Capuchins throughout the year. They have many wonderful fundraisers to support their work. The next one is
Benefit on the Bay
on Friday, August 26, in Harrison Twp. More info is available at www.benefitonthebay.org.
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Faith Formation
Happy Summer Vacation. May your days be bright and full of God's glory.
SUMMER BIBLE CAMP:
Coming soon. Summer Bible Camp-Superheroes of the Old Testament. We will begin at 9:30 and end at 12:00. There will be stories and lessons on Noah, Moses, David, Daniel, and Jonah. Along with a lesson there will be a craft, a song, a snack, and outside activities. Please come and join us. Registration forms were in the bulletin last week. They are also on the tables in the church. The cost is $25. Scholarships are available.
On the Parking lot wall is a list of craft and food supplies we anticipate that we will need. Please help us if you are able. Thanking you ahead of time for your generosity.
Children's Religious Education classes
Religious Education classes will resume on September 10 for Sunday family with a donut social and meeting with teachers, parents, and students in the school lounge.
Religious Education classes will resume on Monday, September 11 for Monday students at 6:30 for all students, parents, and teachers, for an ice cream social and a meet and greet with teachers.
Regular classes with students, beginning September 18, for K-4 will be 4:00-5:15 on Mondays and for grades 5-8 on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00.
Registration forms will soon be on the website, in the church, and in the rectory offices.
more...
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School News
OK St. Clare Students. How is your reading coming along? I hope you are getting your correct number of pages read throughout the summer. I will be sad not to have purple hair!
St. Clare moms and dads, St. Clare alum mums, and grad dads, and all friends of St. Clare. The book sale needs your help. Come Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:00 to assist in sorting books.
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Unleash the Gospel
The Archdiocese of Detroit & Catholic Charities of S.E. Michigan invites all Catholics to volunteer for a 6 day project from July 31 -August 5, as 17,000 volunteers are mobilized to remove blight & beautify 360 blocks near Sacred Heard Major Seminary. Volunteers will mow grass, cut overgrown brush, remove debris and paint. The scope is to transform the former Durfee school into a Community Innovation Center with Central High School & DPSCD.
Volunteers from the AOD parishes, schools, and ministries will help in this endeavor. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one 4 hour shift-9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1p.m.-5p.m. Parishes in our Vicariate are volunteering on August 1. For more information or to sign up, please go to www.aod.org/liferemodeled. Volunteers must be over 14 years.
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CSA
Metropolitan Tribunal
Each year, millions of Catholics suffer the pain and hurt of divorce. Many end up feeling separated and alienated from both the Church and their parish community. Gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal help the staff of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Detroit offer guidance, hope, and spiritual healing to divorced Catholics.
The annulment process brings divorced Catholics back into the sacramental life of the Church. The Metropolitan Tribunal receives more than a thousand formal annulment requests a year. While processing such requests accounts for a major part of its duties, the Tribunal also reaches out to those in need through presentations by its judges at various archdiocesan parishes throughout the year.
For information about CSA-funded ministries, programs, and services,
please go to www.aod.org .
Many Thanks to those who have already responded with a gift or a pledge, we have exceeded our goal! Remember that any amount over our goal is returned to St. Clare 100%, with no assessment. Excess CSA funds are put into savings for future roof or parking lot repairs/replacement. To make your CSA gift online, please go to http://stclarem.aodcsa.org.
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Events and Community Activities
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4th Annual Project Hope
5k and Pray
August 12, 2017
Proceeds benefit a local family fighting cancer
or contact Laura Bodien (313)720-1961
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The 60th Anniversary of Venerable Solanus Casey
The 60th anniversary of Venerable Solanus Casey's death is July 31. Traditionally, the Father Solanus Guild has conducted a Nine Day Novena in connection with the date of Father Solanus' death. All are welcome, Novena prayers will take place following the Noon Mass every weekday, July 23-31, at St. Bonaventure Monastery Chapel, 1780 Mount Elliott, Detroit, MI.
Archbishop Vigneron will be presiding at the 1:30 PM Mass on Sunday, July 30, to commemorate Solanus' death.
Novena prayer leaflets and more information is available at: www.SolanusCasey.org
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For all
Widowed Men and Women
Are you a golfer? We play golf every Monday at Cracklewood Golf Course, located at 24 Mile Rd. and Romeo Plank. Please arrive by 9:30 a.m. Golf begins at 10 a.m. To sign up or for more info regarding fees, etc. call Evelyn at 586-751-4172 or send an email to
evewilk@wowway.com
. Hope to see you there!
Sponsored by
Widowed Friends,
a "peer" support group in the Archdiocese of Detroit. For further information about Widowed Friends, come visit our website at
www.widowedfriends.org
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Preview of Upcoming Events
- Aug 7 - 11: Vacation Bible School - visit website
- Aug 12: Project Hope Walk - registration Form
- Aug 13 - Cemetery Sunday
- Aug: 20: Celebration of the Feast of St. Clare of Montefalco
- Sept. 10 - Feast of St. Michael in Canada
- Sept. 17: Parish Picnic
- Sept. 17: Mass Mob 11AM
- Oct. 13 - 15: Oktoberfest
- Oct. 18 - 27: Holy Land Pilgrimage
- Nov. 05: Closing All Parish Mass and Brunch
Knights of Columbus Summer Socials
Join us on the front lawn after 9:00 am and 11:00 am Mass
Open Gym
There will be a basketball Open Gym, Monday July 24
th
from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Open to boys and girls who play CYO basketball entering grades 4
th
-8
th
. All skill levels welcomed.
Open gym will be facilitated by Clare Conway.
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