Mary TriggsOur Mother of Perpetual Help, Oak Park. Cornelius Okeke. Stanley Obloj as our pastor and shepherd. He shows kindness by saying Hello to us. Currently, Fr. Like many gay people he was wounded and rejected by the Catholic Church. But he has become so confident in his preaching, and his homilies are always well prepared. St. Anastasia has always been blessed with outstanding pastors, and I have no doubt that Fr. Michael Zuelch, for coming to our parish, St. Mary in St. Clair. Edwin W. Balazy appeared on their doorstep, introduced himself and thus began a relationship that has lasted 36 years. I like him a lot. Then theres our pastor, Fr. In serving God, the parish family comes first. J.J.s warm, enthusiastic and approachable personality always made you feel welcome and completely at ease. Grant Your clarity. This is what Catholics call . We love you, Fr. The story is told in Luke 10:29-37: A man going from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers who strip him and beat him. He is our example. Because for many decades Ive heard Gospel 101 preached in so many homilies. Thomas Villerot. He gives scholarships for people to continue their education. We recently found out he may be moved to a different church, and we all felt very sad, but thankful for all he has done for us. Hes gotten us through births and deaths and just regular days always reminding us that everything is within Gods plan. He has brought much joy and understanding by the Gospel and by his interpretation of the Gospel in his homilies. Jim Lopez as a pre-marital counselor at Holy Cross, St. Catherine and St. Mark churches in Marine City. We truly appreciate all the energy and strength in faith that he invests in our community. Thank you! Im referring to our pastor, Fr. He is a loving and caring priest with a heart of gold. Thanks to him I got married by the Church and since that day he makes sure I get closer and closer to God by inviting me to participate as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and also as lector, thanks to those services my responsibility and love to God continues growing daily. We are also grateful to Fr. Greg Rozborski of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Roseville. It's a particularly poignant element of priestly discernment that most of us don't get to hear. My husband and I are so happy that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops saw the talents he has and how much he loves the Lord and appointed him executive director of the African American and Native American missions! Our vocations have increased since hes been at our parish. Years later as a young priest myself and a social activist, I spent time as assistant and pastor at Ste. Everyday I see you I want to run into your arms and kiss you. Im here to be your waiter. Just transpose that to be servant. Always Pray for Your Priest We often ask our priests to pray for us, but don't forget how much they need our prayers too, regularly and unstintingly! He prays that his feelings will stop. Theodore Parker of St. Charles Lwanga Parish in Detroit. Earlier this year, my husband Larry was hospitalized and became very ill and was in the ICU, I approached Fr. He prays for everyone. He is sincerely happy that we are there and glad to see us. Fr. We werent sure about our future for several months in 2013, having to rely on the gracious contributions of numerous guest priests for many weeks. This year, 2015, was the 110th anniversary of the founding of our parish and the 90th anniversary of the building our beautiful church. Our parents were (and continue to be) so proud. Fr. He is always there for us, whether it be the choir (he has a wonderful voice), education, outreach programs, youth ministry and worship. St. Linus Catholic School in Dearborn Heights is beyond blessed to have Fr. They run the St. John Capistrano Youth Foundation in New York City, and the newly dedicated Our Lady of Hungary Chapel in Washington, D.C., was Fr. 6. He remains faithful to God by praying. Most of them register to attend. This new ministry, Gianna House, would initially open as an outreach, then become a residence for pregnant teens in need of housing, sustenance, education and support. Fr. He feels for his people. Grateful parishionerSt. Sabina Parish, Dearborn Heights. When filled with spirituality, generosity of spirit and humility, they inspire us to become better Catholics and to carry our faith out into an often-hostile world. I want to write about what Father gives to us:Where Father is, there is love When our hearts are light, the day is bright With Fathers love, there is a song We know that nothing will go wrong With his love there is a smile To make all things worthwhile With his love there is quiet and peace We are in a place where turmoils cease Once in a while I may be out of touch But Father will mold and shape me and do so much Fathers love with make the church a better place For every color, creed or race Father is our best friend, tried and true Someone we can tell our troubles to Father, we never yearned for riches of silver or gold The treasures youve given us cannot be bought or sold. Do you want to know why? Father feeds, clothes the poor, the homeless and is on call 24/7 to anoint the sick. This is my fifth year at St. Cyprian Parish in Riverview, and also my fifth year writing about Fr. I am praying to God every day that Fr. He has taught us not only to believe, but to practice our faith every day. Ed:Fr. 3. You Gotta Have Heart, Miles and Miles of Heart? Well, I can tell you that Fr. Greg Tokarski, our pastor at Mother of Divine Mercy Parish in Detroit and Sweetest Heart of Mary Church: We are so blessed to have you at our church, and at St. Josaphat and St. Joseph Church. In short, the priest falls in love. From the contemporaneous books of Ezra (9, 10) and Nehemiah (13:23-29) we learn that one of the ways the priests . Lifes leaders like him provide us with the purpose and motivation that we need to be better followers of Christ, neighbors and citizens. When I was a kid, sacramentals were thought of as things just beneath sacraments; they were holy objects that had been blessed, like rosaries and altar candles and holy water. Maurice Henry Sands. Joe (drum roll please!) And a great credit to Sacred Heart Major Seminarys teaching. For example, he has inspired me to attend Mass on a regular basis, due to his phenomenal and engaging homilies, become a liturgical minister and Eucharistic minister, volunteer at various parish activities and join parish committees. To let go of someone you love, you need to accept that you can't control many things in your life. Thank you for all your kindness and love. Fr. To him the priesthood is a calling from God, not a career choice or 9-5 job. Fr. Msgr. Before Mass, she will greet every person in church. Fr. Father knows his people and exhibits pastoral charity that is essential to priestly credibility. He knows that life is short, and each day, each hour, each minute brings us opportunities, gifts and blessings if we are open and willing to recognize and receive them. If we know your situation, it helps us to counsel you. Aaron is also a strong spiritual leader and teacher who is very brave and courageous and will speak out to his parishioners at Mass, whenever necessary, about the current events affecting our Catholic faith, in his quest to get all of our souls to heaven!Fr. First pray to Jesus, admitting that you have sinned. Bobs homily about Jesus divinity and humanity that first captured my sisters heart. While our parish was experiencing a traumatic crisis in pastoral leadership last fall, Fr. James is making his way into the minds and hearts of those he serves. We thank the Lord for allowing us to have him with us as our pastor, spiritual guide, the one who is there for us when we need him the most. Our children respond to his gentle love with their own love and respect. One of those came from pastors or church members who shared with me that they indeed did give a gift to their pastor during the Christmas season. I wasn't a romantic until I met you. (This might be because he often brings treats to share.) Aaron also offers himself to others. Father made sure that the building was in good repair, joined Gianna Houses board at the encouragement of Sr. Diane, and often spoke to parishioners of this developing ministry and placed articles in the bulletin, which in effect recruited parish support for the developing project. Tom Sutherland was pastor at St. Matthias Parish in Sterling Heights, that I noticed how he was dedicated to the Beatitudes of the Catholic faith. He is our priest, and we all love him. He is the priest who Pope Francis said, Go among the parishioners and seek the wounded, make everyone feel welcome, and be a tireless servant, and Fr. Joe provides hope that working together, we can bring about Christs kingdom. 8: He writes interesting stories. 7. He visits the sick and gives the anointing of the sick sacrament. This happened about a year and a half ago, and we were called Mission One, Two and Three. For a believer to marry an unbeliever is to sin grievously against God and God's people. Sean Bonner, who arrived this summer, and Fr. When he consecrates the host, he does it with great joy and respect. I have been blessed to know Msgr. He borrowed the words of one of the most loved and cherished priests of our archdiocese (the late Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw): Hi, my name is George. Zbigniew Grankowski is so special for my family. He knows how to cultivate those traditions that are most meaningful to his people. We appreciate the many ways Archbishop Vigneron helps us to be better Catholics and grow closer to God. Thank you, Fr. At each parish he is very effective at preaching, visiting the sick, celebrating the Eucharist, encouraging the youth, evangelizing, working with the poor and more. He listens to the other bishops, comforts them when needed, and shows joy instead of complaining. Socorro Fernandes, SAC, pastor, and Fr. John is very holy and faithful to God. Fr. He works well with our other spiritual leader, Sr. Mary Downey. Zbigniew! Joe prayed the Stations of the Cross with us in church we know that he is really busy but the fact that he took time with us made us feel important and loved. Leo. So, Father, show the pastor the way. Fr. Far be it from me to think that Fr. Having a brother in the seminary, we learned not as much about theology as about living life as good followers of Christ. When youre in his class at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, you want to learn. I attended his funeral. We often come to admire and feel close to people we work. Ron could bake awesome cakes. Fr. He helps us realize our own gifts. This extraordinary priest is Msgr. I feel so safe and peaceful in your arms. As a brand new pastor, Fr. Thank you! Craig is just what our parish needed, a breath of fresh air. For example, he took part in the cake walk; he didnt win! It is about Him." If we look at the Mass as a concert or a Jesus pep rally we are going to be disappointed. Barnabas Kiss, OFM, and our associate pastor, Fr. Tom now retired but still saying Mass at St. Matthias, hes still there helping us cope with cancer. Bobs advice was very comforting and reassuring. You aren't in love with him because he's a priest. Sharon DillawaySt. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximillian Kolbe, Ray Township, In July 1979, the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish, Dearborn Heights, eagerly awaited the arrival of their new pastor. Bill, Lisa, Emily, Stephanie and Ryan Gray. G.M. Zbigniew Grankowski (St. Barbara Church, Dearborn) has been in our lives, especially for my younger son and his family. Darrell is a very holy priest, a perfect homilist, has a beautiful singing voice and is very much a people-person. Kern for help. Fr. Carolyn UtterSt. Michael Parish, Livonia. On Oct. 18, 2015, Msgr. Fr. Thank you! But, we were very blessed to have him choose to serve as our pastor at All Saints Parish in southwest Detroit. I personally am very much at peace in his class. John Kopson (who interned with us), the words that come immediately to mind are good sports., Their insight in the confessional has been a great blessing to our family as well. Thank you for the opportunity to sing his praises, because you would never learn any of this from him. Kern would hold meetings of A.C.T.U. We are like one big family. Aaron always makes the time to hear a persons confession whenever they ask him. He works so hard to shepherd the people of St. Michael Parish in Livonia. How rude of these people who rarely come to church, I thought. Greg Rozborski. He has a warm heart and smile that he shares every day with all of us. Noel has changed the lives of many here at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital. He cares deeply about his parishioners, which is evident from the amount of time he spends getting to know each one. 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