Living Stations of the Cross
Local parish uses its members'
struggles, hopes as a prayer
The Stations of the Cross, originally a Franciscan tradition, are particularly tied to the Lenten season. St. Aloysius Parish in downtown Detroit, a Franciscan-staffed parish, surrounded by plans for growth yet still nestled in a gritty urban environment, has created this version of the Living Stations.
They hang as a testimony of struggles, the hope found in Jesus, and as an encouragement to all who pray them.
It is a way this urban parish is telling the story of Christ's passion and the redemptive love that brought us through.
Stations introduction
The pain Jesus endured for us was not just a past point in history. He died for our life today.
He is with us in our own sorrow, our trials and our joys.
As members of St. Aloysius Parish community, we share in these stations the struggles we have faced and the hope we have in Jesus.
We thank Jesus that He is not a distant savior hidden in heaven, but a savior who is real and present and active in our lives today.
Jesus loves us enough to have died for us.
And He loves you enough to have died for you.
We gather to remember, and to thank Him.
 Station IJesus is condemned
"Jesus, you were condemned for something you did not do.
When I was 15, I was blamed for taking the baby's juice since the can was found under my bed.
I remember the sting of being accused of something I did not do.
I try hard to not pre-judge others. It is horrible to have the finger pointed at you and be innocent.
For showing me your Word is stronger than the world, I thank you."
Mack Arther Betts
The oldest of five children
 Station II Jesus picks up His cross
"Jesus, you picked up your cross for such a difficult journey.
Years ago, when I used to drink, I helped a friend wash her windows. I went to sit on the ledge, fell out and down three stories onto the concrete.
I vowed that if you saved me, I'd never drink again.
It was a painful recovery, but not one bone was broken. I've been sober ever since.
For showing me there is beauty in the reward of the cross, I thank you."
Alice Pappas
St. Al's member for 77 years
 Station III Jesus falls the first time
"Jesus, you fell under the weight of the cross. I fell away from you out of laziness. For 22 years I failed to lead my children by example.
I nervously came back to church on Easter in 2001. It was the first step.
Today, my wife, my children and their families have all found a home with you.
For picking me up when I fall, and never losing hope in me, I thank you."
Gary Goers
Seeing his daughter receive Communionon her wedding day filled him with great joy
 Station IVJesus meets His sorrowful mother
"Jesus, you met your sorrowful mother on your journey.
How hard that must have been for her.
My son Pete, who loved fishing, was 23 when he died in a subway accident in New York.
I can now feel my seventh child only in my heart. Through you, I know I will be with him again.
For allowing me to be like your mother and saying 'yes' to you in my life, I thank you."
Marie Wilson
Mother of nine children
 Station VSimon helps Jesus
"Jesus, Simon helped you carry the cross.
When my body rejected my first kidney transplant, I was so sick. I had end-stage renal disease.
Without me knowing, my younger brother, Paul, went for testing to see if he'd be a good match.
In 2000, Paul gave me one of his kidneys.
He gave me the gift of life.
For showing me that love is the greatest gift of all, I thank you."
Cathy Wilson
Now able to live a full life
 Station VI
Veronica wipes the faceof Jesus
"Jesus, Veronica helped by wiping your face and you left a gift of yourself for her.
When my Mom died at 104 years, I quit coming to church. So many members here still showed their love for me. They visited after my surgeries. They cared for me.
Through their love, I came back and found your love.
For giving of yourself to me, and filling my life, I thank you."
Al Edmonds
Humbled by the care others show him
 Station VII
Jesus falls a second time
"Jesus, you fell a second time and got back up again for me.
You helped me get back up when choosing new life in you has been difficult. Raised in another faith, my grandfather a minister, I was led here by wanting to know more about your real presence in the Eucharist and other things. As a missionary in the inner city, I've had to count the cost in learning to trust you.
For picking me up when I fall, and for healing me, I thank you."
Curt Street
Looking forward to becominga Catholic at the Easter vigil
 Station VIII
Jesus meets the women and children
"Jesus, you love old people and young people. That makes me feel happy.
You are the Lamb of God. You died on the cross. You died for our sins.
Mary was happy that you were born and she always loved you.
I'm glad I learned about Jesus and I'm glad I go to church to learn about Him.
Jesus, I want you to know that I love you."
Allyson Frizza, 6
Looking forward to her first holy Communion
 Station IX
Jesus falls a third time
"Jesus, what you carried was so heavy you fell a third time.
I felt like a failure when I was divorced. I felt such loss when my house burned and I was homeless. It was hard when I was 56 and became unemployed.
You brought me to St. Al's where I found faith and support, strength and guidance.
For picking me up and the strength of your love, I thank you."
Marie Butler
Gives back by volunteeringat St. Al's Community Center
 Station X
Jesus is stripped of His garments
"Jesus, you were stripped of your garments.
I, too, was stripped of all. My wife passed, I lost my job, my house and then my six children. Then I lost myself.
I sold drugs, lived on the street, slept in abandoned buildings.
Coming clean, a friend brought me to St. Al's Community Center. Soon, I volunteered. Now I have a job here.
For the humility you faced for me, I thank you."
Michael Spencer
Reunited with his children after 10 years
 Station XIJesus is nailed to the cross
"Jesus, you felt unbearable pain being nailed to the cross.
In my early years, I was a professional dancer so full of life.
Last year, at age 80, I had to undergo brain surgery and started having seizures.
I could not understand the immense pain. It was so humiliating.
You suffered so much more for me.
For the pain you endured in your love for me, I thank you."
George Holt
Psalm 23 provides him great comfort
Station XII Jesus dies on the cross
"Jesus, you showed your love for me by your death on the cross.
My younger sister, Anne, who was a caring physical therapist, was 29 when she was murdered. A man walking his dog near the river found her.
Everything seemed to collapse.
I was angry celebrating her funeral Mass. Touching my pain to your cross was the beginning of healing.
For the sacrifice of your love, that I may have life with you, I thank you."
Pastor Fr. Mark Soehner, OFM
"What love the Father must have for us!"
Station XIII
Jesus is taken downfrom the cross
"Jesus, you were taken down from the cross and laid in your mother's arms. It broke my heart when my beloved, John, died.
I saw his love of life and thirst for knowledge diminshed. What was once so bright, withered and faded.
That day, something in me died too.
For the example of Mary, who shows me how to acknowledge the great things you have done for me, even when I am in grief, I thank you."
Michelle Fallena
Her husband, John, died June 18, 2005
 Station XIV
Jesus is placed in the tomb
"Jesus, your body was placed in the tomb.
My old life is also gone. On Easter, 2005, I was welcomed as a Catholic into this church. My sons were baptized in June.
Sometimes it is hard being a single parent to Isaac, 4, and Elijah, 3, and being a student.
But, I have such hope for the future of my sons in you.
For the promise of spending eternal life with you, I thank you."
Sarah McDuffie
Grateful to be a Catholic
Stations conclusion
We can all keep it alive
Three days later, Jesus was raised from the dead by God, His Father. That same God, who loves Jesus, loves every one of us and He loves us unconditionally.
We have seen the hand of God in our own lives.
It isn't because we deserve it, earned it, studied hard for it or prayed long enough for it.
It's because the same love God has for Jesus is here for us pure gift just because we are.
Look and see the ways God's love is alive in your own life and tell others.
That is the way the promise of salvation and God's forgiving love has endured and given life for 2,000 years.
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