Local News

Thirteen priests with ties to the Diocese of Lansing mark ordination jubilees:
65 years: Father Francis Martin was ordained in 1943 by Bishop Joseph Albers. Among other assignments, he served as pastor for St. Mary Williamston from 1954-56 and pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Lansing from 1960-86.
50 years: Father Bennett Constantine was ordained in Ceylon in 1958. He came to the Lansing Diocese in 1981. He was assigned to St. Robert Bellarmine Flushing, St. Mary Pinckney and St. Joseph Howell. He was parochial vicar of St. Mary Star of the Sea Jackson. He became pastor of St. Peter Eaton Rapids in 1990. Father Matthew Fedewa was ordained in 1958. In the Diocese of Lansing he served as parochial vicar for St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Agnes Flint. Among other assignments, he served as pastor of St. Michael Flint 1975-91and St. Mary Morrice 1991-2001. Currently he is an instructor at St. John Vianney Seminary in Paul, Minn. Father Richard Kropf was ordained by Bishop Albers in 1958. In the Diocese of Lansing he served as parochial vicar for Holy Redeemer Burton and St. Michael Grand Ledge. Father Thomas McDevitt was ordained in 1958. He served as parochial vicar for St. Agnes Flint, St. John Student East Lansing and Holy Rosary Flint. He served as pastor for St. Anthony Hillsdale and St. John Student E. Lansing. He is currently a spiritual director for retreats at Francis Retreat Center DeWitt and the Retrouvaille program. Father Darius Wyszynski was ordained in 1958. In the Lansing Diocese he was an associate pastor at St. John Jackson, St. Michael Flint and St. Leo the Great Flint. He was pastor of St. Joseph Ypsilanti and St. Stanislaus Jackson. He was made an honorary canon of a Catholic diocese in Poland, making him the first canon in the history of the Diocese of Lansing.
40 years: Father David Harvey was ordained a priest in 1968. He has served as parochial vicar and pastor for St. John Ypsilanti. Since 1979, he has served as pastor for St. John the Evangelist Fenton. Father William Koenigsknecht was ordained a priest in 1968. He served as parochial vicar for St. Joseph Owosso, Holy Redeemer Burton, St. Mary Lansing, St. Thomas the Apostle Ann Arbor and St. Joseph St. Johns. He has served as pastor for St. Luke Flint and since 1968 the Church of the Resurrection Lansing. Father James Lothamer, S.S., was ordained in 1968. He served on the facility of St. Charles College Seminary and St. Mary Seminary Catonsville, Md. and St. Mary Seminary and University Roland Park, Md. He has been serving as pastor of St. Agnes Fowlerville since 2003. Father Louis Madey was ordained in 1968 in Poland. He served in the diocese from 1977-83 and returned to serve as pastor of Holy Trinity Student Chapel Ypsilanti from 1998-2001. He serves on the facility of Sacred Heart Major Seminary Detroit and as sacramental minister for St. Mark Parish Goodrich. Father Douglas Osborn was ordained in 1968. He served as parochial vicar for Our Lady of Fatima Michigan Center and St. Mary Cathedral Lansing. He was parochial vicar and pastor for St. John Vianney Flint. Among other assignments, he was vicar of the Lansing region and co-host of the TV show Real to Reel. Father Thomas Rieden, O.S.F.S., was ordained in 1968. He was the principal of Lumen Christi High School in Jackson from 1987-2006. Father Raymond Urbanek was ordained in 1968. In the Diocese of Lansing he has served as pastor for St. Mary Mount Morris from 1997-2004 and was assigned as pastor of Holy Family Ovid in 2004.
30 years: Bishop Earl Boyea was ordained a 1978 in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Among his many assignments, he was an associate pastor at St. Michael Monroe 1978-79 and St. Timothy Trenton 1980-84; temporary administrator of St. Christine Detroit, 1986; weekend assistant at St. Joseph Lake Orion, 1987-88; Holy Family Novi, 1988-90; Sacred Heart Auburn Hills, 1990-99; and at St. Mary German Village Columbus, OH, 2001-02. He was rector-president of Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH, 2000-02. In September 2002 he was named regional auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s South Region, 2002-03; and for the Northeast Region, 2003-08. He was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing on Feb. 27 and installed April 29, 2008. (7/1/08)

Iraqi and American Dominicans come together in peace and solidarity
On Sunday, June 22, the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena, Mosul, Iraq and the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary, Adrian, Michigan jointly celebrated the final profession of vows of Iraqi Sister Diana Momeka and American Sister Heather Stiverson in peace and solidarity. The ceremony took place in the Holy Rosary Chapel on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Motherhouse.
At this unprecedented occasion, Adrian Dominican Prioress, Sister Donna Markham, OP and Iraqi Prioress, Sister Maria Hanna, OP received the final vows of Sisters Heather and Diana in a bilingual celebration.“As we prepare to celebrate this ancient and sacred rite, Americans and Iraqis are united in peace and reconciliation. We pray together that this solidarity may witness to a future where all are one in the love of God,” stated Sister Donna. “This celebration is truly a sign of hope.”
Sisters from these two Dominican Congregations have lived, worked and ministered together during the past 3 years. As Dominicans, their order has historically worked to transcend boundaries and unrest. The profession of final vows is one of the most joyous occasions in the life of a religious. “This is a sign of hope and reconciliation. We are transcending the actions of our countries through our solidarity while sharing common life as Dominicans; we feel we are with family,” commented Sister Maria.
The practices from Eastern and Roman Rites were intertwined as each sister pronounced her vows in the hands of her prioress and received a ring as a symbol of her perpetual commitment. In the Eastern tradition, Sister Diana’s reception of vows was taken while kneeling before her prioress, Sister Maria. Sister Heather professed her vows following the Roman rites to Sister Donna. Both rites included the blessing of the sisters as they lay prostrate before the altar and the litany of Dominican saints was sung.
Father Jim Barnett, OP, a Dominican friar from the Central Province of St. Albert the Great, presided at the ceremony. (6/19/08)

Deacon Edwin Schneider
On June 3, a gentle and kind man entered God's kingdom to enjoy eternal life. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Ed Schneider was an inspiration to many with his spirituality and wisdom. Ed was ordained a deacon on Dec. 5, 1987. Through his ministry, he spread his faith and love of Christ. He had a special calling to help ease the sorrow of those mourning the death of a loved one. A charter member of St. Gerard Catholic Church, Ed sang in the choir, was a lecturer and Mass server for 50 years. Ed leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Florence; children, Sandra (Kurt) Kuhn, David Schneider, Roger (Robin) Schneider, Patricia Schneider, Pamela (Calvin) Haan, Mary Beth (Michael) Clewley. (6/19/08)

Adrian Dominican Sisters announce community loan to Avalon Housing
The Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Portfolio Advisory Board (PAB) announced the funding of a community loan to Avalon Housing, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The PAB provides community loans for housing and small business development projects that focus on women and low-income people.
Through community investments, PAB supports economic development efforts which benefit low-income people by providing access to capital to improve the communities in which they live. In reviewing loan applications, the PAB evaluates the social, economic and environmental impact on the community and the financial condition of the borrower.
Founded in 1992, Avalon Housing is a nonprofit community-based organization. They develop, own
and manage permanent supportive housing for Washtenaw County’s most vulnerable residents. They believe safe, decent affordable housing is essential to assist people in addressing difficulties such as mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and other major life changes.
In 1995 – 2000, the Adrian Dominican Sisters partnered with Avalon Housing with a similar community investment loan. “We were impressed then and continue to recognize and acknowledge the level of commitment, experience and success Avalon has had within the Washtenaw County community. Collaboration with Avalon is a natural alignment with the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ vision and mission,” stated Lura Mack, Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Community Investment Coordinator.
The PAB’s community loans are made directly to projects as well as through intermediaries. Community loan pre-applications are accepted throughout the year. Full applications are accepted quarterly. Loan decisions are one to two months of application review. To find out more about the Adrian Dominican Sisters Community Loan Fund, visit their Web site at www.adriandominicans.org.
For more information about Avalon Housing, Inc., contact Wendy Carty-Saxon, Housing Development Specialist at 2carty-saxon@avalonhousing.org. (6/17/08)

Requiescat in pace
Deacon William Everett, Senior Deacon at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Jackson, age 69, died June 15 at home after a long battle with cancer. Please keep Deacon Everett’s wife Susan and their family in your prayers. (6/19/08)

Michigan woman named associate director for child, youth protection office
Mary Jane Doerr, of Kalamazoo has been named associate director of the U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection (SCYP). She assumes the new job June 30, and succeeds Sheila Kelly, who is retiring from the position. In her new office, Ms. Doerr will work with Executive Director Teresa Kettelkamp in supporting the efforts of the Bishops’ Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People and the National Review Board.
The Secretariat helps dioceses and eparchies implement safe environment programs to ensure safety of children involved in church and religious activities. The SCYP also oversees the audit process to ascertain diocesan compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the plan adopted by the U.S. bishops in 2002, to deal with child sexual abuse by clerics.
Ms. Doerr is director of the Diocese of Kalamazoo Safe Environment Office, where she oversees implementation of the Charter. In that position she has assisted victims of sexual abuse, developed and promulgated policies and procedures for safe environment and victim assistance programs and has had an integral part in responding to the safe environment audits by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She was named director of the Kalamazoo office in 2006. From 2003-2006, she was coordinator of the diocese’s safe environment program.(6/12/08)

Bishop Boyea to visit all the Diocese of Lansing parishes
Bishop Boyea visited St. Mary Church in Chelsea on June 1, as his first official pastoral visit in the diocese. The bishop intends to visit each parish in the diocese where he will preside at the weekend liturgies, meet with staff and parishioners, examine parish official records and provide supportive feedback to the parish in preparation for his eventual first "ad limina" visit to Rome. Each diocesan bishop is required every five years to report to the Holy See on the state of his diocese. (6/12/08)

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee County, Community Awareness Breakfast
Catholic Charities of Shiawassee County recently held their first Community Awareness Breakfast. At the breakfast the Seeker of Justice Award was presented to Raymond Scherer, a long-time parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Owosso. Catholic Charities wanted to give this award to someone who has had a positive effect and impact in the lives of the poor by action and deed. They sure picked the right person in Ray Scherer. Ray has contributed countless hours as a skilled electrician to Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity. He has also donated 29 gallons of blood over the years and only quit because his doctor ordered him to do so. He serves as a eucharistic minister, a funeral luncheon worker and volunteers many hours at his parish of St. Joseph, Owosso where he attends Mass every day. You will never hear Ray complain about anything or anyone and he always has a smile on his face. Did I mention Ray is 81 1/2 years young? He is an inspiration to those who are blessed enough to know him. (6/6/08)

Servants of Charity Host Dignitaries on the Feast of Pentecost during Anniversary Celebrations
With the Feast of Pentecost as the setting, the Servants of Charity Congregation, now celebrating their 100th Anniversary with operations in Chelsea and Grass Lake, received two very special guests on Sunday May 11, 2008 at a special Mass at the Pious Union of St. Joseph. Newly installed Bishop Most Rev. Earl Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing, was on hand to greet Very Rev. Fr. Alphonso Crippa, the Father General (head) of the Servants of Charity Congregation who was in Michigan visiting the local Congregation from Rome, Italy.
An overflow crowd of 100 worshipers greeted both Catholic Religious dignitaries, who concelebrated the Mass together with seven other priests, including General Councilor Fr. Carlos Blanchoud of Rome, Italy and Monsignor Steven Raica of the Diocese of Lansing. The remaining priests were members of the local Servants of Charity Congregation at St. Louis Center in Chelsea and the Pious Union of St. Joseph in Grass Lake.
Bishop Boyea expressed his pleasure at being present during this special occasion, and congratulated the Servants of Charity on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of their Congregation. He reminded everyone that, “We are all creations made from the Hand of God, and the Holy Spirit plays a powerful role in the lives of us all.”
Fr. General Crippa arrived at St. Louis Center on May 9th, and was present for a two week visit in the United States that included visits to two other Servants of Charity communities in Springfield, Pa. and E. Providence, R.I. He returns to Rome on May 20th. (6/3/08)
St. Louis Center 16195 Old US-12, Chelsea, MI 48118, 734-475-8430.
Servants of Charity, 16195 Old US-12, Chelsea, MI 48118, 734-475-8430.

Knights of Columbus' Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Poster Contest
  Brittany Foti, 13, of Lansing, won first place in Michigan in her age category for the Knights of Columbus’ Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Poster Contest.
Brittany’s poster warning children of the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse won at the local council level at St. Mary Cathedral Council No. 11694 in Lansing, and at both the diocesan and state levels of competition. Her entry has been forwarded to the supreme council for consideration at the national level.
The awards were presented by the grand knight, Timothy Perrone and Brent Torgeson, youth director. (6/3/08)

The Dominican Sisters of Mary in final phase of their Michigan Motherhouse
  On May 1, 2008, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor broke ground for the third time in just nine years as construction begins on the final phase of their Michigan Motherhouse. “Over the years, our dynamic growth has required us to step out in faith on several occasions, always confident that our Lord will bless and provide for us,” said Mother Assumpta Long, O.P., prioress general of the community and one of its four founders. The religious community was established 11 years ago. “With so many sisters in our community and potentially large groups of women entering each year, we simply can wait no longer to expand our Motherhouse. Thus, we are stepping out in faith once again by moving forward with this expansion.”
  The 36,000 square foot expansion will include the Lourdes Wing of the professed residence, including the Rosary Chapel and 26 additional monastic cells, the Pier Giorgio Frassati Center, a multi-purpose facility for conferences, retreats and recreation, the Aquinas Lecture Hall, the visitation guest residence and additional parking. This expansion, which is expected to be completed by fall 2009, will expand the current facility to a capacity sufficient to support the formation and education of approximately 100 sisters. Site plans and renderings of the Phase III construction are available on the sister’s website at www.sistersofmary.org.
  Among other attendees at the ceremony was Bishop Earl Boyea, fifth bishop of the Diocese of Lansing. The groundbreaking was one of the first public events presided over by the newly installed bishop.
  The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are a Roman Catholic community of women religious founded in 1997 as a response to Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization of the third millennium church. Today, the community numbers more than 80 sisters. In addition to administering two private, K-8 Catholic schools in Ann Arbor, the Spiritus Sanctus Academies, the sisters currently teach in elementary and secondary schools in the Charleston, Venice, Phoenix and Sacramento dioceses. (5/20/08)

St. Alphonsus dedicates its new Salt Center
St. Alphonsus in Deerfield’s parishioners recently came together to celebrate the dedication of their newly constructed SALT Center. This dedication follows many years of prayer, reflection, discussion and visioning to determine how to better serve the needs of their parish community and the larger community in which they live.
   It began with the development of the parish’s pastoral plan, which was actually initiated by Bishop Mengeling, when he called every parish in the diocese to develop a plan to determine their future. 
   St. Alphonsus started to develop their pastoral plan in September 2000 and completed it in April 2003. A steering committee was created to determine how to best meet the needs expressed in the pastoral plan to expand the parish facilities to enable the parish to more effectively live out its mission. The steering committee consisted of Deanna Burke, Ryan Cousino, Mark Huff, John Kiely, Jim Lammers, Barb and Bob Rains, Jeff Reau, Jolene Witt, Matt Van Black and Jim Mello. Their dedication and hard work were crucial in making the SALT Center possible.
   Following many months of work, it was decided that an additional committee needed to be formed to begin planning how to raise funds to accomplish the parish’s goals. The fundraising committee members were Terri Bauer, Terry Beurer, Barb Gillies, Beth Iott, Lois Iott, Marilyn Iott, Ramona Meyer, Adam Musielewicz, Liz Sofo, Matt Van Black and Art and Mary Weeber. They, too, were instrumental in making the SALT Center a reality.
   It is also important to recognize St. Alphonsus’ pastor’s role in leading the parish in completing this project. Father Jack was on both of the committees. “St. Al’s is fortunate and blessed to have Fr. Jack.  His leadership abilities, his organizational skills, his financial savvy, and his ability to anticipate our future needs and address them -  all combined to make him ‘the right person at the right place at the right time,’” said James Mello … this would never have been possible without him – thank you Fr. Jack.”
  The SALT Center is named for St. Alphonsus’ parishioners who are commitment to the mission of Christ. SALT comes from the gospel passage Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth,” and represents the acronym: St. Alphonsus: Living into Tomorrow.
Article submission from James Mello (5/13/08)

Bishop Boyea at the State Capitol
State Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) hosted Bishop Earl Boyea at the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 6 to deliver the morning invocation. Bishop Boyea was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing on April 29. (5/13/08)

Photo: State Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), Bishop Boyea, State Senator Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek), Lt. Governor John Cherry.