Contacts & Publisher Subscription Form Published February 24, 2006 Be a Knight in Catholic armor Robert Delaney Shelby Twp. – Ronald Phipps says he put off joining the Knights of Columbus until he realized the Knights understand that fathers of young children can't always make it to meetings and events. Thousands expected for fourth annual men's conference Joe Kohn Detroit – In the Gospel, thousands of men were fed on mountainsides as they followed Jesus to hear the truth of God's kingdom. Seminary Honors Alumni for Ministry, Achievement Four men affiliated with Sacred Heart Major Seminary were recognized on Sunday, February 19, for their ministry, scholarship and commitment to Christian life. Church lauds court for taking up partial-birth abortion ban Joe Kohn Detroit — Public policy leaders in the Church have commended the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to consider the constitutionality of a federal ban on partial-birth abortion that was struck down by lower courts. 'Lent calls us back to — the basics' Kristin Lukowski Detroit – Lent, a special time to focus on Christ, begins on Ash Wednesday, which is March 1 this year. Parish leaders are preparing to mark Lent by planning events. Gods loving mercy should be the focus of Lent Cardinal Adam Maida This coming Wednesday, March 1, we begin our annual 40-day observance of Lent. In keeping with my custom of previous years, I want to offer some pastoral suggestions regarding ways to make this Lent as meaningful and joyful as possible. Published February 17, 2006 Blue Army on the move: New home brings hope for new growth Robert Delaney Riverview – Local Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima President Leonard St. Pierre, 45, is hoping the apostolate's new chapel will help it spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima. Regina High plans 2007 move to Warren Robert Delaney Detroit — Barring unforeseen snags, all-girls Regina High School will move from Harper Woods to Warren in time for the 2007-08 school year. St. Michael in Livonia celebrates 75 years Joe Kohn 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. Teens 'clean up' for Christ at Rainbow XXIV Joe Kohn Youths from the archdiocese came together to worship, make friends, dance, sing songs, share stories of faith and receive encouragement to purge their lives of sin daily. Third Day: Christian rockers want you to know Jesus loves you 'Wherever You Are' Marylynn G. Hewitt, SFO Third Day, the rock group who ignited the worship music torch with "Offerings – A Worship Album" and rekindled the Christian music industry in 2000, is back to its roots. Abortion has devastating legacy in the black community Joe Kohn Detroit – During Black History Month, people in Detroit can reflect on the legacies of many great black Christians who led the United States to being a country of freedom: Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, etc.   'Requiem' performances draw nearly 3,000 Kristin Lukowski Detroit – Nearly 132 years ago, Giuseppe Verdi's "Requiem" Mass charted new territory when Verdi successfully petitioned the Church to allow women to sing.   Special Edition Published February 17, 2006 Vocations Supplement Answers available for discerning call to priesthood Robert Delaney For the young man who thinks he might have a calling to the priesthood, Fr. James Bilot suggests a first step would be to discuss it with his parish priest or college chaplain, and with parents or others who could be supportive in his discernment process. Weekend at seminary helps teen decide Robert Delaney Adam Markham can attest to the value of attending a seminary Discernment Weekend in helping a young man who thinks he might have a vocation to the priesthood. Fisherman's Fund formed to help finance seminarians, lay students Robert Delaney Kathleen McCann said she was "astounded" when she learned that many new priests ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit were beginning their priesthood with a student loan debt hanging over their head. 'I give thanks to God every day,' says parish priest Fr. Brian K Cokonougher I look forward to celebrating the Holy Eucharist with my parishioners. Beginning the day with Christ's grace and the fellowship of my community helps me to be more patient with my own shortcomings as well as handling the problems I encounter in my ministry.  "My Vocation..." Priest, deacon, sister and lay minister tell of calling to serve Church Studying for diaconate was hard, but worth it; 'God finds a way,' says Dominican; Lay ecclesial vocation seen as way to serve Published February 10, 2006 Cardinal updates priests on TIF, clergy issues, finances Robert Delaney News of an added step in the Together in Faith process, an update on clergy issues, and information about archdiocesan financial matters were communicated to archdiocese priests in a Feb. 2 letter from Cardinal Adam Maida. A life-giving prescription: Local gynecologist's faith leads him to change to a Natural Family Planning-only practice Joe Kohn For Dr. Daniel Greene there's no more debating the point: God made the human body, and He knows what's best for it. Valentines for 65 years Kristin Lukowski Joseph and Cecelia Kut have done a lot of having and holding through better and worse over the years. Nearly 65 years, to be exact. St. Bede school likely to close, pastor announces Joe Kohn If parish- and vicariate-approved plans are OK'd by Cardinal Adam Maida through the Together in Faith process, St. Bede elementary school in Southfield will close next year. Downtown parishes see mixed results from Super Bowl crowds Robert Delaney Its proximity to Ford Field and to the dining and gambling attractions of Greektown helped make St. Mary Church the winner when it came to attracting the most visitors of any downtown Catholic church last weekend. The gift of reading: Local parish holds book drive to start African library Kristin Lukowski It may have been a gift for St. Kieran's religious ministry students to be able to smash a pie into the faces of their youth leaders. Faith Formation Article: Here are ideas for making a change during Lent Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP With Lent three weeks away, our minds turn to, "What will we do; what will we give up?" Instead of giving up, why not put something in — something that will take hold and stay with us for the rest of our lives? Lent is about change/conversion. The real penance is to live life well: to be the mercy and peace of God toward others. Perhaps one or two of these ideas will be helpful. Published February 3, 2006 Super Bowl Mass to celebrate victory: Christ's Joe Kohn  Detroit - For all the festivities, merchandise sales, and hoopla surrounding the halftime show, Catholic athletes know that the Super Bowl is not the most important thing happening in Detroit on Feb. 5. And the Super Bowl champion won't be the biggest winner. Cardinal Maida admits he's man of steel Joe Kohn Detroit - It may not be one of the most common devotions for Catholics, but it's one Detroit Cardinal-Archbishop Adam Maida has held to most his life. And, no, it's not a chaplet. It's rooting intensely for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downtown parishes prepare for Super Bowl onslaught Robert Delaney Detroit - St. Mary Parish in downtown Detroit's Greektown district is preparing for possibly thousands of visitors on Super Bowl Sunday and the days leading up to it, while some other Downtown Catholic parishes are just hoping to carry on their usual activities. St. Lucy Parish celebrates 50 years Robert Delaney St. Clair Shores - Nearly 700 people filled St. Lucy Church last Sunday, as Cardinal Adam Maida celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary Mass. "St. Lucy Parish has long been a source of healing and hope for countless people who have come here for charismatic renewal and prayer. Bishops Gumbleton announces his retirement Wire Services Detroit - Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Detroit, internationally known for his activism for peace, human rights and the poor, announced to his parishioners on the back page of last week's parish bulletin that he has submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI. Youngest bishop in U.S. ordained in Marquette Catholic News Service Marquette - With St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette filled to capacity for his episcopal ordination, Bishop Alexander K. Sample became the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Marquette Jan. 25. Church counters governor: Embryonic stem cell research offers false hope Joe Kohn Detroit - Countering comments made by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in her State of the State Address, the Michigan Catholic Conference released a statement reminding residents that embryonic stem cell research has so far offered only false hopes and no cures.