National Events
The events in Minneapolis and the current immigration and deportation enforcement in our country have been much in our news, and in our minds and hearts… and in our prayers. Many Catholic church leaders have spoken out about these events, including our new Archbishop, Edward Weisenburger, whose letter to the editor was published last Sunday in the Detroit Free Press. I encourage you to read strongly worded critique of ICE HERE.
February 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week, established by Carter Woodson in 1926 – the precursor of today’s Black History Month. Ironically, as you all know, there are powerful forces in our country today that are attempting to erase Black history and the history of racism, and other minority histories as well. It is all the more important then, that we take time to recall the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans to our culture and our church, as well as the blight of racism in our country’s past and present.
I want to note that for us as people of faith this is not merely a “secular” exercise. From the preaching of Jesus (“Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand”) to the “First Week” of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, spiritual wisdom makes it clear that true spiritual progress, true movement toward union with God, must include an honest assessment of our past. Only by acknowledging the truth about our history can we move toward real reconciliation with God and others. Denial of the past is not compatible with Gospel living!
If you aren’t familiar with the six Catholic African-Americans on the road sainthood, take some time this month to learn about them. Click HERE for their life-stories and video presentations.
Our parish Inclusion Committee will mark Black History Month shortly after February, when they lead the Stations of the Cross on Friday of the Second Week of Lent (March 6), followed by a parish visit to the “Black Bottom” exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum the next day, Saturday March 7.
Consider attending Black History Month events at our Jesuit University of Detroit Mercy. They’re all listed HERE, but some particular events are noted below at the end of this article. Check out the month of programs offered at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Local Comings and Goings
It has been two weeks since the funeral of long-time parishioner Charlie Angell, and last weekend we lost parishioner Gail McKnight. Read her obituary HERE; her funeral will take place at our church on Feb. 20 at 10:30AM. Let us pray in thanks to God for their long lives of faith and exemplary service to others, and for their families who mourn their passing now.
At the same time several of our young couples have given birth in recent weeks, so with them we also thank God for the gift of life and pray for them as they undertake the awesome responsibility and vocation of parenthood. Remembering that “it takes a village,” we know that our whole parish has a part to play in supporting our young families especially in their spiritual development.
In a similar vein, I ask your prayers for the gathering of 22 new parishioners that will take place after mass this Sunday –thanking God for our growth in new members, and for the gifts they bring to our community, and that they may find a faith-filled welcome here that will enable them to flourish spiritually in every way.
Black History Month events at University of Detroit Mercy
· Feb 11, 5:30pm. Screening of the award-winning documentary Redemption Road, tracing the life of Yusef “Bunchy” Shakur from a childhood shaped by abandonment and violence to his emergence as a respected community leader and thinker. Followed by a conversation with Shakur. RSVP for Redemption Road.
· Feb 19, 7:00pm. Historian Marcus Rediker will discuss his book Freedom Ship, the little-known story of how enslaved people escaped bondage by hiding aboard ships with help from sailors and dockworkers at ports along the Underground Railroad by sea. Book Talk Zoom registration.
· Two poetry readings by Black poets. Feb 19, 6:30pm by Zoom only: poet Ross Gay in conversation with Detroit Mercy’s Poet-in-Residence Stacy Gnall; Register Here. Feb 24, 6:00-7:30pm (Chemistry Bldg, Rm 114): Detroiters Brittany Rogers and Tommye Blount.