The family and friends of Robert Rodney Milosch gathered to remember and given thanks to God for the gift of his life on September 24, 2021. Rob was a golfer at heart and worked at the family business: Carleton glen Golf Club throughout his life. It gave him much joy to teach others the game of golf and took pride in coaching the SMCC Golf teams for many years.
The family of Barbara Thomas gathered to remember and given thanks to God for the gift of her life on September 9, 2021. Barbara was a woman dedicated to the care of her family: her husband Gerald (d); and her children: Sheryle, Dianna, Linda, Rita, Nannette, Gerald and Donald; her sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She took great pleasure in turning an “ordinary” day into a “special” day. Birthdays meant choosing a dinner and cake of preference. In addition to individualized dinner and cake options, decorating “let the whole world know” that that particular day was not an “ordinary” one. Her children shared that Barbara made each of them feel special.
Family and friends of Donald Anthony Toeppe gathered to celebrate the blessings God had bestowed on him during his earthly life: his family, his friends as well as his deep faith. One of Don’s greatest gifts to others was his openness to take people under his wing and help them to rebuild their lives. His personal faith in a loving and merciful God inspired him to care for others and draw people closer to God. Guided by his faith and commitment to helping those who were homeless and marginalized, Don helped organize the Damascus House and the Philadelphia House; entities that continue to assist those most in need in Monroe County. He was also instrumental in starting the Boy Scout Troop 519 at St. Mary Parish.
Gathering with family and friends, the family of Shirley Mae Hauser remembered with gratitude the blessings of God through the joys and challenges of Shirley’s life. Shirley was often called the “Energizer Bunny” had a gift of getting people to laugh. Small in stature, she did everything quickly and was found it important that everything had to be in the right place. Spending time with her friends was important to Shirley and later in life when she relied on public transportation she would use her walker to get her to the bus stop in order to meet with her friends.
Family and friends of Romanda Ellen Grodi gathered to celebrate her earthly life as well as her new life in Christ. Romanda entered the Catholic Church as an adult prior to the marriage to Ray Grodi on November 16, 1946.
A Memorial Mass for Peter Severino Centa was celebrated at St. Mary Church with his family and friends in attendance on July 9, 2021. In his formative years, Pete attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. Discerning that God was calling him to another way of serving him, Pete enlisted in the United States Army from 1961-1964. He was a dedicated husband and father.
Family and friends of Dominic John Charles gathered on Friday, June 18th to remember God’s goodness and mercy throughout Dominic’s long life. Dominic and his wife, Evelyn (d. 2011), were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage. A veteran on the Korean War, the discipline of the military prepared him to be a longtime and successful baseball coach. He was honored for his coaching dedication by being inducted into the Monroe Sports Hall of Fame.
As we continue in this summer season, let us walk in faith and hope wherever we go and whoever we meet. During this summer, for a few weeks, our Sunday gospel readings take a break from the gospel of Mark, and go to John’s gospel, chapter 6. This chapter is very important for us as Catholics, laying a solid Scriptural foundation in our believe in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Last Sunday, we began the chapter with the account of the miracle of the multiplication of the bread and fish. This miracle reminds us of God’s abundant providence to take care of our true needs, with lots of “leftovers”. Nothing is wasted when it comes to God’s care for us. It’s just that sometimes we fail to ask, to trust, to seek, and knock. Sometimes we focus on what we want, rather than truly need.
I should have known better, as I’ve been running for many years. Nevertheless, I planned a longer run even though the weather forecast looked ominous. Maybe I could beat the storm clouds, I thought to myself. I bet wrong. A few miles from home the winds began to blow and the skies opened up. As luck would have it, I was in a rural area with no place to seek shelter. Fortunately there was very little lightning; just torrential wind and rain.
Family and friends of Dr. Christopher Kelly gathered on Thursday, June 10th to remember God’s goodness, console one another and strengthen our belief that we are a people of hope. A gifted surgeon, Chris set high standards for himself; a trait reflected in his work. A native of Iowa, Chris joined the Catholic Church through RCIA, after witnessing the faith of his wife, Lisa’s family. Chris also had a “funny” sense of humor and was described by his staff as one who taught them many things.
Family and friends gathered on Monday, June 7th to give thanks to God for His goodness and pray for the peaceful repose of Mary Kathryn Carpenter. She was a woman who lovingly devoted herself to the needs of her family and guided and assisted others through her work as a librarian at various school and community libraries. Through her active service on community boards, Mary shared her wisdom and time in making the world a better place in which to live.
Joan Marie Raymond served as an obstetrics nurse, welcoming newborns into the world. Her love of children animated her life. Her daughters shared that she loved being a mother and took joy in nurturing her children by frequently holding them and hugging them often. Through her example her children were taught compassion, how to be a listener and how to reverence and cherish her husband, Tom (d. 2010). Joan was faithful to her “prayer time” each day.
Dear parishioners of St. Mary: In line with many other Catholic dioceses, the Archdiocese of Detroit is in the process of filing paperwork with the State of Michigan to separately incorporate all parishes in the archdiocese. As of July 1 st , this means that our parish will now be a separate nonprofit religious charity that receives associated tax benefits.
HOLY HOUR Thursday, May 20, 9:00 AM Adoration will begin immediately following the 8:15am Mass the third Thursday of each month and will end with Benediction at 10am.
Described as a generous woman, not hesitant to lend a hand of support to many charitable causes, who extended warm hospitality to those who entered the doors of “Danny’s Fine Foods”, Lucille Angela (Leonard) Vuich was commended to the love and mercy of God when her family and friends gathered on April 21 to prayerfully return her to the God who created her. With her husband of 46 years (Daniel M. Vuich; d. 1998), Lucille owned and operated the well- known family business of “Danny’s Fine Foods” on West Elm Ave. for many years.
On Monday, April 19th, the family and friends of Cecile Mary Prusaitis gathered in thanksgiving and praise of God for the gift of Cecile’s life. She was married to her “soul mate”, Bill for more than 67 years. Blessed with four children, William (Amy); Cindy, Mark (Valerie) and Gregory (Cynthia) and ten grandchildren, Cecile generously shared her dedication and commitment to her Catholic faith in many ways; teaching the faith to children through “CCD”, making prayer shawls and serving as a member of the Rosary Makers. It is estimated that she made over 16,000 rosaries!
A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of William Norbert Masson took place on April 16, 2021. Family, friends and co-workers gathered to grieve and remember the many gifts that Bill so generously shared with them and others. Bill was a devoted husband to Susan, a faithful son to his widowed mother, Ruby Montri, a loving father to his children, Joe and Christine and a life-long friend to his sister, Dorothy Ciacelli.
This is Deacon Zaid’s final weekend with us before his ordination to the priesthood on May 22. It has truly been a joy and blessing to have him with us over the last year. I appreciate his enthusiasm, love of the Lord, his communication and preaching skills, and his dedication to the Sacred Scriptures. Deacon Zaid stepped in when Mary Quick, our director of faith formation, retired, and helped to hire Leslee Smith. He gave much time to leading Bible studies and teaching in the schools. He helped us to update our livestreaming equipment, and secured Richard Lane for our parish mission during Lent. Deacon Zaid connected with people of all ages, and helped to enrich the faith of many.
Archbishop Vigneron announced that the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days will expire on Saturday, March 13, 2021. In its place, he is granting a number of particular dispensations for the faithful who may find themselves in specific circumstances.
The Mass of the Resurrection celebrating the life of Paula Jo Smeltzer took place on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Family, childhood neighbors and numerous colleagues and friends from Saginaw, MI gathered to grieve and remember the many gifts that Paula so generously shared with others.
