May
2008
5/27/08
Three New Oblates of St. Benedict
This past Saturday, May 10, we were please to welcome three men into our Oblate group. Bob Alexander of Oxford, Andy Biondo of Sterling Heights and Lou Rondini of Grosse Pointe Park all pronounced their final oblation during our community celebration of Vespers. They are our newest companions on the spiritual journey we make to God, with St. Benedict as our guide. We welcome them and continue to ask God’s blessing on our community of St. Benedict Monastery and the men and women who have entered into this spiritual association with us over the past two years.
Congratulations!
5/20/08
First Communion at St. Scholastica Church
On Sunday, May 18th, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, three children received the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Eucharist for the first time at St. Scholastica Church, our parish in Detroit. Three of the first communicants, Brian Flanagan and Jonathan Martin were prepared for the sacrament by Mrs. Lenora Gardella and Br. Gregory-David Jones through the religion program at St. Scholastica Grade School. The other youngster, Alexandria Garland received his sacramental instruction from Mrs. Elizabeth Bey, a very active member of our parish. Earlier this year, these children made their first confession in the sacrament of reconciliation.
The presider at the Mass was our Sub-prior, Fr. Michael Green who reminded everyone present at the Liturgy what a special blessing it is to have our Lord come to us in the Eucharist. The children, in the presence of their family and close friends, participated in the Liturgy by bringing up the gifts, offering the petitions and, of course, partaking in the sacramental banquet. After the Mass, everyone present was invited to enjoy cake and other refreshments in the back of the church. Please pray for Brian, Jonathan and Alexandria that the Lord's presence in their hearts enables them to continually grow in the Catholic faith and share it with others.
Celebrating Life and Motherhood
Right to Life–Lifespan of Michigan held their
19th annual “Mother’s Day Banquet” at the San Marino Club in Rochester,
Michigan last Tuesday, May 6th. Included in the approximately 200
guests were our Fr. Mike Green and Br. Jacob Orcutt, who assist with
the planning and advisory aspects of the group. Also among the
esteemed attendees were Master of Ceremonies Theresa Tomeo who is a
Catholic radio host, keynote speaker Frank Turner, a former television
newscaster, now Christian evangelist, and Auxiliary Bishop Daniel
Flores who gave the benediction.
Right to Life – Lifespan is an
interdenominational group that promotes education and legislation for
the protection of human life at all its stages. As part of the
dinner the group honored their Mother of the Year, chosen from entries
submitted by local youth, as well as the winners of the annual Pro Life
Art contest which received paintings and sketches submitted by high
school students in the Metro Detroit area. A vital dimension of
Lifespan’s work has been promoting the awareness and involvement of the
younger generation in the great life issues of our day.
Ministry to the Young . . . and the Mature
The diversity of gifts and backgrounds in our community provides us the opportunity to minister to people in a variety of circumstances. This past Sunday, our Fr. Damien Gjonaj celebrated First Communions with the people of St. Paul’s Albanian Catholic Church in Auburn Hills. About two hundred second grade boys and girls received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. Fr. Damien’s own heritage – he was born and spent his early years in the Albanian region of Montenegro - has made his help most valued at the Albanian parish. Asked by the pastor, Fr. Anton Cira, to preach the homily, Fr. Damien explained to the children how the Eucharist keeps us alive spiritually by keeping us united with Jesus our Savior and Friend.
A few days before, on Wednesday, April 30th, our community welcomed twenty-five “mature” Catholics to Subiaco Retreat House for a day of recollection. Most of these men and women were members of the Senior Fellowship of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Rochester, Michigan. In two conferences, as well as Mass and a Penance service, our Fr. John Martin Shimkus offered insights on the topic of “Learning Forgiveness, Learning Christ”. The message of our great need to forgive and be forgiven, and the power of God to accomplish this, was well received and appreciated.