Fire put out at new archdiocesan HQ

DETROIT — Detroit firefighters extinguished a small blaze on the rooftop of the former United Way building in Detroit’s Capitol Park on May 14. The 12-story building, which is to be the new home for Archdiocese of Detroit Central Services employees starting in November, was not badly damaged. The fire was started in an air-conditioning unit on the rooftop, but firefighters accessed the building’s water supply to extinguish the fire. No one was injured.

Our Lady Queen of Peace closes

HARPER WOODS — Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Harper Woods celebrated its final Mass on May 18. Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Byrnes celebrated the Mass along with several other priests, including Our Lady Queen of Peace’s pastor for the past 10 years, Fr. William Herman. Fr. Herman called the final gathering both “sad” and a “family experience,” writing in the parish’s final bulletin that, like the apostles, parishioners and staff “are being sent to different communities to continue the good work that was begun here at Our Lady Queen of Peace. The good work each of you was called to do. This is our Pentecost.” The parish originally opened in 1946.

St. Vincent de Paul reopens Westland store

WESTLAND — The Detroit Society of St. Vincent de Paul held a grand re-opening of its Westland thrift store May 21, which included a tribute to a fallen firefighter. The 25,000-square-foot store on Wayne Road, the largest in a local chain of thrift stores, sustained smoke damage last year during a fire that destroyed a next-door restaurant. The re-opening included a plaque to honor Wayne-Westland firefighter Brian Woehlke, who died fighting the blaze.

St. Mary Parish to bless cars, trucks

WAYNE — St. Mary Parish in Wayne will offer a “blessing of the vehicles” after its Saturday afternoon Mass on May 31. The blessing, which will take place at 5 p.m. in the Sims Street parking lot, will include cars, trucks, bikes, vans, SUVs and other modes of travel. New teenage drivers are extended a special invitation to bring their vehicle, and vehicles that have already been blessed are also invited.

MCC files brief in marriage appeal

LANSING — The Michigan Catholic Conference filed an amicus brief May 14 with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the state’s 2004 voter-approved amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. The brief was joined by another filed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Association of Evangelicals, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. To read the brief, visit www.micatholic.org.

Altar boys, girls invited to learn

DETROIT — Altar boys and altar girls are invited to two separate events designed to give an experience of life in a priestly or religious vocation. On June 20, the second Seminary Day for Altar Boys will be held at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, including Q&As, lunch and a Mass and greeting with Archbishop Allen Vigneron. Last year, 118 altar boys participated. In addition, altar girls are invited to learn about the role of women religious in the Church during the first Altar Server Day for Girls on May 31 at Mercy Center in Farmington Hills. Visit www.detroitpriest.com for information.

Pregnancy center celebrates 30 years

SOUTHFIELD — Mother and Unborn Baby Care, a pregnancy resource center in Southfield, will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a dinner and event June 18 at the San Marino Club in Troy. Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will be the keynote speaker for the event, which also seeks to raise money for the center. Tickets are $75. For more information, contact Peter Riccardo at (248) 202-4903 or [email protected].

Ex-player writes breviary on coach

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Paddy Lynch, a 2002 graduate and former football player at Brother Rice High School, has written a breviary — a small book of prayers and reflections — in honor of his former coach and Catholic League legend Al Fracassa. Fracassa, who retired after the 2013 season, is the subject of Lynch’s book “Warrior,” which shares 40 days of reflections largely based on Fracassa’s leadership during the turbulent 2012 season, which saw the sudden death of a Brother Rice football player. “So many people see Coach as someone who dedicated his life to football. He was made famous by winning,” Lynch said. “But to me what is most important to remember, is that he is someone who understands defeat. He knows that at times we are faced with sad situations, at times we grieve.” Copies are available at www.brrice.edu/warriorbook.