DETROIT — The 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania will be observed in one way or another by many parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Among them, in Macomb County two Catholic parishes will join with four nearby Protestant congregations in an ecumenical prayer and remembrance service on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m.

The pastors of St. Ronald Parish, Clinton Township, and St. Michael Parish, Sterling Heights, will be joined by the pastors of Christ United Methodist Church, Fraser, and Hope United Church of Christ, Peace United Presbyterian Church and Cross Lutheran Church, all in Clinton Township will conduct the service at St. Ronald Church.

The Rev. Barry Osterbur of Cross Lutheran will preach.

Diane McDonald, pastoral associate at St. Ronald Parish, said Fr. Michael Quaine, pastor of St. Michael Parish, was instrumental in bringing Christians of differing faith traditions together for the 9/11 decennial observance.

Fr. Quaine remarked, “To me, the whole Christian enterprise is about proclaiming Christ’s forgiveness.
“We remember our dead, we remember the fallen heroes, but most importantly, we pray that the grace of forgiveness be ours,” he added.

Most schools will note the anniversary on the Friday before or Monday after the actual date, as at St. Edith School in Livonia, where students will gather for a short prayer service at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.

St. Edith’s principal, Felician Sr. Margaret Kijek, said it is not only important for the students to understand what happened 10 years ago, but also “to understand what can happen when people don’t live in peace and harmony, and to recall the importance of working for justice and peace in the world.”

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St. Ronald Church is at 17701 Fifteen Mile Road, between Garfield and Kelly roads, in Clinton Township.