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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  Our Lady Queen of All Saints marks 50 years

by Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
May 23, 2008

Robert Delaney | The Michigan Catholic At the altar during the 50th anniversary Mass at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Church last Sunday are (from left) Fr. Arthur Fauser, Deacon Gerald Smigell, Cardinal Adam Maida, Msgr. John Kasza, Msgr. Ferdinand DeCneudt and Fr. Ronald Babich.

Fraser — Fr. Ronald Babich has been pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Parish 14 years, and likes it there. "I'm not in a hurry to move away. This place is tremendous," he said when asked about the Fraser parish, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

"The people are hard-working and dedicated to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother," Fr. Babich added.

Fr. Babich's own dedication to eucharistic devotions and Marian devotions were cited by Cardinal Adam Maida in his homily at the parish's golden jubilee Mass last Sunday.

The cardinal also recounted the history of the parish, from its establishment in 1958 by Cardinal Edward Mooney under its first pastor, Fr. Joseph Szymaszek, onward.

Robert Delaney | The Michigan Catholic Cardinal Adam Maida (right) thanks Fr. Ronald Babich for his 14 years of service as pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints at the Fraser parish's 50th anniversary Mass last Sunday.

Msgr. Ferdinand DeCneudt served as pastor 1964-82; Fr. J. Michael McGough was pastor for just two years, until his death from cancer in 1984; and Fr. Arthur Fauser pastored the parish 1984-94.

Both Msgr. DeCneudt – at 95, the oldest priest in the archdiocese — and Fr. Fauser were there last Sunday to concelebrate the anniversary Mass. Although its own grade school closed in 1966, the cardinal said the parish had been an early leader in providing religious education for children attending public school. The parish currently has 175 children in religious education classes.

"I am delighted to be with your parish family today as you give thanks to God for the countless ways He has blessed you over the last half-century," Cardinal Maida told the capacity congregation of about 800 people.

Robert Delaney | The Michigan Catholic Msgr. Ferdinand DeCneudt (left) greets Peggy (Smith) Bernardo, who was his secretary for the 18 years he was pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Parish, 1964-82.

Raymond Reichenbach, who was at the Mass with his wife Jeanenne and their six children, pointed out that his children were the third generation of his family to belong to the parish.

"It's a very personable parish, and I love everything Fr. Ron has done here, like the Marian shrine and the Marian devotions on Wednesday nights. We like the way he goes the extra mile," Reichenbach said.

Oxford Dominican Sr. Nancy Zajac, pastoral associate at the parish, said her time there has been "delightful."

Michelle Nurse, who was there with her parents, Rick and Nancy, said had just started coming back to Our Lady Queen of All Saints after having been away for a while.

"The people of this parish are so strong in their faith, and you really feel the presence of God here. It's helped bring my faith back," she said.