February 2009

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2/24/09

 

Preparing for the Easter Sacraments

 

     This past Sunday, our Fr. John Martin Shimkus, O.S.B. spoke at a retreat for about fifty men and women who are preparing to celebrate the Easter sacraments, and their sponsors.  The day of recollection took place at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and was hosted by the Birmingham/Bloomfield/Troy Vicariate for member parishes.

 

     The gathering was planned around the theme of “conversion” and included music, prayer and two brief retreat conferences.  Fr. John Martin pointed to the life changing significance of conversion and that it is an ongoing process of “keeping our eyes on Christ” and continually moving in His direction.  He also reminded the candidates and catechumens who will be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil that the upcoming days of Lent came into existence because of them.  They lead the way as we all seek to “put on Christ” anew, by entering into His Passion, death and Resurrection.

 

     Please pray for all who are entering the Church this year through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist!

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2/17/09

 

The Archbishop Meets the Children

 

     On February 10th, the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrated a special Mass in honor of Catholic school’s and the people who make them special.  The Liturgy at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit was also an opportunity for the students from all the Catholic schools of the area to meet their new Archbishop, Allen Vigneron.  Teachers and student representatives from each of the schools came to be part of the joyous celebration.  During the Mass, his Excellence spoke of the important part that education has in helping us keep and fulfill our commitment to our Lord.  He also encouraged all the youngsters to consider the vocations to the priesthood and religious life and seriously pursue them if they feel the call.  Our grade school (St. Scholastica) was represented by Joissan Alesna and Kalif Collier of the 6th grade who presented a commemorative picture board that had photos of all our students along with a special message of welcome and greeting. 

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2/10/09

 

Welcome, Archbishop Vigneron!

 

     On Wednesday, January 28, the Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron was installed as fifth archbishop of the Detroit Archdiocese.  As part of his official welcome, Archbishop Vigneron is celebrating ten Masses around the six counties of Southeastern Michigan. 

 

     Our Frs. Dan Homan and John Martin Shimkus were privileged to celebrate Eucharist with the new archbishop at St. Clement’s parish in Romeo on Tuesday, February 3.  Although it was a snowy evening, a sizable crowd of about 700 joined in the bilingual English and Spanish liturgy.  Archbishop Vigneron observed that the gathering of so many priests and laity, despite the inclement weather, was a sign of their deep faith and hope in Christ.

 

     The 60 year-old Vigneron is himself a native of the Detroit area, born in Mt. Clemens and growing up in Anchorville; St. Clement’s was actually the place of his ordination to the priesthood.  In 2003, he was named bishop of Oakland, California after serving the people of the Detroit Archdiocese as an associate pastor and as rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary.

 

     We join the faithful in this area and people of all faiths in welcoming Archbishop Vigneron home and in praying for his ministry as chief shepherd of our diocese.

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2/03/09

 

Recognizing and Praying for Vocations

 

     This past Monday our Prior, Fr. Dan Homan, and Fr. John Martin Shimkus participated in a Eucharistic adoration service for vocations at St. Lawrence Church in Utica, Michigan.  The prayer service was organized by Fr. Don La Questa, associate pastor, and was presided over by Detroit auxiliary bishop Daniel Flores.  The evening included songs and reflections presented by people representing various vocations in the Church, including married and single life, ordained ministry, and religious life.  Fr. John Martin presented a prayer expressing gratitude for his vocation as well as appreciation for its many challenges (please see excerpt below).  An informal fellowship after the service gave the presenters and parishioners an opportunity to meet one another and to learn more about the communities and ways of life represented.

 

 

Lord Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament as our Bread, our Shepherd and our Lord,

I praise you and thank you for your countless gifts to me,

and I am aware that my prayer can only touch the surface of your unspeakable goodness.

 

Thank you for the gift of monastic life,

a way that I have found both consoling and challenging.

 

Thank you for urging me to find you in prayer

and not to settle for less than your true and abiding presence.

 

Thank you for the companionship of my daily life in the monastery

that saves me from the deadly trap of isolation and self-reliance.

 

Thank you for allowing me to serve my brothers,

and by this service to stretch and soften the brittle corners of my heart . . .

 

Jesus, I pray . . . for those who you are calling to the priesthood or religious life,

and those whom you have called.

 

Lead us Lord, as priests and religious,

to the ever deeper union with you in prayer

the union upon which our entire life and ministry rely.

 

Take away all that hinders your love

from shining brightly in our thoughts, words and actions.

 

Let us be beacons of faith, hope and love

that our vocations may be the perfect extension of your hands, your heart and your Spirit.

 

And let us pray with you to the Father, in every moment: “Your will, not mine, be done.”  Amen.