Posted on: November 17, 2015

Reflections on Sr. Karen's Memorial

This past Monday, I celebrated the funeral Mass for Sr. Karen Eklund, our former pastoral minister, at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe, Michigan.

After announcing her death last Sunday, we received an outpouring of good wishes, sympathy, and consolation from many parishioners and friends, both personally and through social media. (Some comments are reprinted on the front page of The Pulse.) I, for one, am most grateful for the attendance of our parishioners at both the wake service on Sunday and the funeral Mass on Monday. I know the Motherhouse is a distance away, but approximately 54 parishioners attended over the two days. Thank you for your effort in honoring Sr. Karen by your attendance. She would have been so appreciative.

The IHM Sisters returned her to the Lord in a simple yet dignified fashion. Having prayed for her on Sunday through Sacred Scripture, song, and remembering the fond memories people had of Sr. Karen and celebrating a beautiful liturgy on Monday with her IHM Sisters and family, we all said “good-bye” to a wonderful pastoral minister, educator, and friend.

After serving this parish for 19 years, your love and appreciation were certainly demonstrated to her as well. As pastor, I want to thank you for your kindnesses to and prayers for her all these years. Thank you for being there this past week; God will bless you in heaven.

Father Duane

P.S. Since many people could not attend due to distance or schedules, we will celebrate, in the very near future, a Memorial Mass for Sister at St. Matthew’s. Date and time to be announced!

Posted on: November 6, 2015

Tribute to Sr. Karen

It is with great sadness that we tell you today of the death of Sr. Karen Eklund, IHM, who was our pastoral minister here at St. Matthew’s from 1989 to 2008. Sister passed peacefully and quietly on Tuesday, November 3, the Feast of St. Martin de Porres. For those who knew her, her kind and gentle manner will be missed. For those who prayed for her during her ten year struggle with Alzheimer’s, we learned how devastating this disease can be. 

For those who called her friend, our hearts are heavy after saying the “long good-bye.” It was Nancy Reagan, wife of the president, who first uttered these words, but no words are truer spoken than these when it comes to our Sister Karen.

Just one month shy of her 75th birthday, God saw it fitting in His time to call her home. I write these words gazing from my window on an unseasonably warm November day, admiring the beauty of the autumn colors, the plants dying back, the beauty of a cloudless blue sky, with shortening days, and knowing that the cold winter is but a moment away. I realize this day is a gift from God as is the autumn of all our lives.

For Sister, her autumn began in 2004 when she said to me with tears in her eyes, “I think that something is happening to me.” The autumn of that long good-bye began with subtle changes, imperceptible to most; but with grace and dignity, she soldiered on ministering and caring for the people she served at St. Matthew until that day when she could no longer carry on.The leaves on the tree of life, her memory, were falling away too quickly. She took leave first from St. Matthew and then from her very self as memory, awareness, and functionality died from her very being. 

But like the approaching winter, she settled in and never lost sight of an emerging springtime of eternal life. Her dignity, poise, and grace that served her so well in the springtime of her life reappeared in death as if it prepared her for a springtime of eternity in God’s grace. This is her legacy: let the little ones come unto me, for I am meek and gentle of heart; your soul will find rest for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

And so our long good-bye is complete. She now hears the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, come into the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of time.”

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

Good bye, my Sister, my friend, my confidante; we will love you always.

Father Duane

Posted on: October 25, 2015

Synod 16

Next November (2016), our archdiocese will be called by our Archbishop Allen Vigneron to convene varied members of our archdiocese representing parishes, institutions, religious communities, and consultative bodies in a Synod. A synod is a canonical structure whereby a group of selected priests and other Christian faithful of a particular (local) church offers assistance to the diocesan bishop for the good of the entire diocesan community (Canon #460).

The gathering will be known as Synod 16, reflecting the year in which it convenes. Many of us remember Synod 69, held in 1969 and called into session by Cardinal John Dearden. In brief, the purpose was to implement the changes in liturgy and structure of the Church and to give us a means by which we as a diocese could enter wholly and with a singular intent to implement what the Second Vatican Council was asking of us. This effort gave the Church of Detroit a new way of thinking about what we are as church. Certainly there were liturgical changes, but in addition, there were structural changes as well. What we take for granted today; i.e., Parish Council, Finance Council, Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC), Presbyteral Council, etc. was introduced into the life of the Church at the local or parish level at this time so that we could be more consultative in our decision-making and thus proclaim the Kingdom of God more effectively in the world. (Remember the program, Church, World, Kingdom in the diocese?)

All these years later, the Church is still seeking to implement Vatican II. Now that the structures are established and maintained, it is time to move in a renewed direction. As our Archbishop indicated to the priests at this year’s convocation in Boyne, Michigan, “We must move from maintenance to mission!”

The mission being to become disciples of Jesus Christ all over again, to recommit ourselves to a New Evangelization by “falling in love with Jesus” again so that we can invite, recatechize, and build the Church of Detroit. You might say that Synod 69 and Synod 16 are bookends of the same mission. With structures in place, an interior ongoing conversion is called for to proclaim the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. Indeed, a “New Evangelization.” To that end, the Archdiocese of Detroit (AoD) has already begun preparing. Members of the Synod are being selected from around the AoD. Mission sites to ready the parishes/vicariates by renewal and prayer are already established.

In fact, St. Matthew will host the Vicariate Mission/Retreat starting on Sunday, December 13 through to Tuesday, December 15, of this year. We also have been asked and have nominated three of our parishioners to apply for membership on the Synod, as has each parish in the AoD. Our nominees are Mike Dulapa, Patricia Camazzola-Godoshian, and Debbie Nieddu. From these three nominated applicants, one will be chosen by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC) to attend the Synod. With each parish, institution, religious order, priests, and consultative bodies, membership in the Synod will be in the hundreds!

The outcomes of the Synod are obviously yet to be seen. But one thing is clear, we will move forward as we did in 1969 with a clearer vision, a singular attitude, and a renewed spirit to address the issues of the day. A new approach to growing our Church – a New Evangelization!

God bless all of you,

Father Duane

Posted on: October 4, 2015

Fiscal Year End Financial Report

Today, as you see, we are presenting our 2014-2015 year-end Financial Report. The numbers are what they are, and the budget is balanced. We operate really on a shoe string for this size complex, but the most difficult line item is the “Withdrawal from Savings.”

Although we have brought that number down this past year, from $250,000 to $150,000 and had $88,000+ to carry over into our new fiscal year 2015-2016, we are still not at a true balanced budget.

It is the Parish Council’s and Financial Council’s hope that with the sale of the school buildings, we will be able to reach that benchmark. We did well this year because of the generosity of you, our parishioners, the success of our fundraisers, the $100K Club, and the success of the “Mass Mob.”

However, we will not always have these generous gifts, and the contribution envelope is still the backbone of a parish. I know we are all trying the best we can to make our budgeted income goal. But it also comes down to the number of envelopes. We distribute 220 envelopes per week, and on average 72 are returned. This happens for a number of reasons; i.e., sickness, shut-ins, vacations, etc. The online giving feature on our website continues to grow and has afforded the parish with givers who are consistent in their support.

This is where faithful attendees can help. Encourage those not attending on a regular basis to return. Invite neighbors, the fallen-away, or those who think they are unwelcomed. Welcome them back! Truly if the message goes out, as Pope Francis has reminded us on his recent visit, that Jesus loves us and wants us to experience Him in the Sacred Liturgy, then our work of evangelizing has already begun.

It is only through the increase of attendance at Mass and an increase in parishioners that can and will sustain any parish. We will continue to be responsible in our finances working toward the day of a balanced budget based on our envelopes and fundraisers which will sustain us into the future. We were there once, and we will be there again. 

Next week-end, we will celebrate healing Masses at the 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. I would encourage those who are terminally ill, anticipating surgery, suffering depression, or recovering from addictions to join us in the powerful Sacrament of Christ’s healing. With the laying on of hands and the anointing of oil, God, the Divine Healer and Physician, can work miracles. 

God bless all of you, Father Duane

Posted on: July 10, 2015

Financial Update

I hope everyone had an enjoyable 4th of July.  For some, it was nice to have a long weekend.  At this point in the calendar year, the parish and the whole Archdiocese concludes a fiscal year, which ended on June 30th.  Our bookkeeper, Denise, will now be putting together our year-end financial report that has to be submitted to the Archdiocese by August 15th.  In September, we will have our annual Stewardship Report presented to the parish.  I hope by then to have some good news about our school buildings.

The one report I can give now is a 52-week (one year) “Smiley Face” report.  Quarterly, I try to publish this so that we can see where we are in our Sunday Offertory collections compared to the budget.  With this report, I am happy to say we have our first “Smiley Face” in many years.  (Please see the report in this issue of The Pulse.)  

However, there is a caveat to it in that we were able to meet and exceed our goal because of the Mass Mob collection.  

In the report, note the breakout of our collection.  Had we not had the Mass Mob, we would have been approximately $4,000 short of our goal.  However, we did a good job overall.  I know that when I brought this to your attention at the middle of the fiscal year, you responded generously.  Many increased their Offertory contribution, even if just a little.  It truly made a difference.  I want to thank you for your kindness to each other.

But it was the Mass Mob that put us over the top.  I’ve also published a full report on the Mass Mob financials so that you can see how well we did.  For those who were in attendance, you know how successful it was.  But in order to have that success, some money needed to be spent.  Therefore, you can see what expenditures we incurred.

I must say that the expenses not only resulted in some much needed income, but also provided us some visibility in the wider Archdiocese and the community.  We even registered an additional parishioner from the event, and others have indicated their support and will visit from time to time. 

I think it was a marvelous experience, and one that was thoroughly enjoyed.  I want to express my thanks, too, to all the volunteers.  In whatever position you were assigned, you were needed, and it made for a flawless event.  A special thank you to Patrick Lusch, his steering committee, and members of the Parish Council who worked so hard to make the day what it was.

Next weekend, July 18 and 19, we will be participating in the  Missionary  Co-Op  Program  (Propagation  of  the Faith).  Our missionary this year comes from the Pallottine Missionaries in India.  As he makes his appeal, I would ask you to receive him warmly.

The following weekend, July 25 and 26, I’m asking for your support again.  The Detroit Police Department (DPD) is sponsoring a “National Night Out” event on Tuesday, August 4.  Actually the event will be held during the day from 2 to 6 pm for the safety of all at Chandler Park.  The event is to give the children of our neighborhood a positive experience of the police officers who serve and protect them.  At the event, which will offer use of the water park, picnicking, sports, and games, they will distribute school supplies for the coming year with backpacks.  In order to make this happen, the DPD, through our neighborhood police officers, are asking if we could support their effort through a financial contribution.  With the approval of our Parish Council, I would like to take a second collection on the weekend of July 25 and 26 for this purpose.

I would ask you to be as generous as you can, and whatever we collect will be given to this event.  The DPD has been very responsive to our calls, helped to make our traffic flow during the Mass Mob flawless, and the need today for young people to see the police as their friends and protectors is very important.  This “National Night Out” is a worthy cause, it’s local, and it speaks of our commitment to our neighborhood.  Whatever you can do is appreciated!

Also, don’t forget the Tigers Game outing.  Tickets are now going fast.  Have a good week and God bless you!

Posted on: May 24, 2015

Catholic Services Appeal

I can’t believe that almost half of 2015 has gone by. This
weekend is Memorial Day, the “official” start of the summer season.
But more than that, the intent of Memorial Day should not
be lost on picnics, boating, camping, or backyard bar-b-que.

One of my most memorable Memorial Days was in 2010. It
was quiet, reflective, and meaningful. I started the day in prayer,
and at Mass the veterans who were in attendance told the gathered
community what branch of service they served in, what war
or conflict they engaged in, and their responsibility. In prayer
and gratitude, we applauded them for serving.

After a quiet reflective afternoon, I met my parents for dinner
and spoke, as it turned out for the last time, with my Dad about
his military service in the Navy, in the Philippines, during WWII.
He remembered and told the story of his good friend who was
killed by a kamakazi and what that meant to him. After dinner,
returning to the rectory, we watched a video of one our parishioners
who has since passed away, Paul Coen, who was filmed by
the national remembrance project on his experiences in a German
prisoner of war camp captured on D-Day plus two.
He recalled a harrowing story. Paul had gone on to a military
career serving in Korea, Vietnam, and as late as the first Iraqi
war. After my parents left, I watched a PBS documentary on
American foreign military cemeteries. I found it especially interesting
because I have been to both Anzio in Italy, and Normandy
in France. What impressed me most about these is the fact that
after giving their full measure, the fallen have a beautiful place to
rest. Our country takes great care of these foreign cemeteries.

I share all of this with you because, as you see, the best Memorial
Day was not the best picnic or the best day on the boat. It
was a quiet day of reflective prayer for all those good souls who
gave their lives and their service for this nation.
This year start your Memorial Day with Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Be reflective sometime during the day to remember those who
served and those who gave their fullest measure.
Today is also Pentecost Sunday, and in our reflection, know
that the peace of the Holy Spirit is upon us. The seven gifts of
the Holy Spirit, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,
knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord (respect), are given to us as a
blessing that we might live lifes in accord with the holiness of
God. As our Easter Season concludes with Pentecost and moves
to Ordinary Time, let us acknowledge the seven gifts that carry us
and support us in our faith lives.

We are only two weeks away from our Mass Mob. I hope
everyone attends and experiences this phenomenon. We have 82
volunteers to fill 96 positions in order to facilitate a smooth flow
of the event. I am so proud of everyone, especially Mr. Patrick
Lusch, who has stepped up and coordinated the event. He has
done a tremendous job. As we try to put our best foot forward for
this event, may we see the benefit of perhaps additional parishioners.

Good Luck and God bless Everyone!
Father Duane