St. Michael in Livonia
celebrates 75 years
Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published February 17, 2006
Livonia – Find a parish community centered on family and education, dedicated to bettering the archdiocese and Church worldwide, and you've found a parish that will thrive.
Like St. Michael the Archangel Parish.
The faith community of about 1,800 families marked its 75th anniversary last weekend with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Adam Maida, pastor Fr. William Tindall and a number of former pastors.
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Cardinal Adam Maida, and present and former pastors of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Livonia, celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist during a Feb. 12 Mass to mark the parish's 75th anniversary. | "During my 16 years here in the archdiocese, wherever I go I seem to run into people from St. Michael's in Livonia," Cardinal Maida said during his homily. "You have a very dedicated and enthusiastic parish with many lay organizations. And you are all concerned with the needs of the wider Church of the archdiocese."
Founded in 1931 under Bishop Michael Gallagher, St. Michael the Archangel Parish was the first Catholic parish in Livonia, a city that now has seven parishes. A school, run by the Felician Sisters, who have their local provincialate in Livonia, was opened in 1942 and quickly became an integral part of the parish community. The school now has more than 800 students.
When it comes to defining what makes St. Michael's unique, parishioners and Fr. Tindall are quick to point to the school.
"It's most unique aspect is that it is a parish dedicated to Catholic education," Fr. Tindall said. "We have people who are very family orientated. The focus has been on family and children throughout its history, and it's very evident even to this day."
Fr. Tindall said the parish always has rallied around the school and become a focal point for families. It hosts many organizations, such as its parent-teacher organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, a women's guild, men's fellowship and a number of athletic programs.
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 St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Founded: 1931 with Fr. John Contway
Location: Plymouth Road in Livonia
Families: 1,800
Pastor: Fr. William Tindall
School: St. Michael Elementary
Students: 820 | For the anniversary Mass, the pews of the church on Plymouth Road were filled completely. Many long-time parishioners shared memories after the Mass at a reception in the school.
Donald and Roseann Majkowski spoke of sending their five children through St. Michael Elementary.
"That was very instrumental in their lives," said Roseann.
Sr. Carolyn Ratkowski, CSSF, principal of St. Michael Elementary, spoke of the sacrifices the parishioners made to promote Catholic upbringing for their families.
"The parish has sacrificed a great deal," Sr. Ratkowski said. "They have worked very hard to make sure that the school was sustained and kept going."
Parishioners also have a strong track record of supporting the needy in their community with clothing drives and fundraising for Catholic charities and the archdiocese.
Another aspect of parish life the people of St. Michael were celebrating Sunday was a renewal of sorts for lay involvement. In the last couple of years, adults in the parish have formed faith formation organizations that meet periodically to strengthen one another in their daily lives.
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St. Michael School eighth graders (from left) Jamie Benaglio and Cameron Bonk receive words of thanks as theypresent Cardinal Maida with a school sweatshirt at areception following the anniversary Mass. | Mike Shesterkin, who belongs to a two-year-old men's fellowship group at the parish, said the group helps him stay focused on Christ.
"This day and age, we're torn in different directions by all demands of our day, and that can have a destabilizing effect," Shesterkin said. "People need to take time out and answer (God's) call, and this is a great opportunity to partake and do that.
"To celebrate 75 years as a parish community is an opportunity to reflect and look at what it means to have a heritage like that."
At the end of his homily, Cardinal Maida expressed his wishes for St. Michael to continue being the "anchor" in the Livonia Catholic community it has been since 1931.
"Hopefully, through your school and parish community," the cardinal said, "you will continue to be a place of welcome with Christian hospitality."
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