Everest, CC earn nationwide recognition

DETROIT — Two local Catholic high schools have been recognized as “Schools of Excellence” by The Cardinal Newman Society’s annual Catholic Education Honor Roll. Detroit Catholic Central in Novi and Everest Collegiate in Clarkston were among 71 schools nationwide to receive the top honor for their “integration of Catholic identity throughout all aspects of their programs and excellence in academics.” Nine other schools earned honorable mention. According to a news release from The Cardinal Newman Society, the schools honored annually represent less than 5 percent of Catholic high schools in the country. Six Michigan schools overall, the second-most of any state, earned the honors.

Prayers offered for Detroit, Mideast peace

DETROIT — Auxiliary Bishop Michael Byrnes will be the featured speaker during an International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 24 at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. The bishop will be joined by members from Catholic, Protestant and Muslim religious communities in the Metro Detroit area, as well as the Detroit Dearing Dance Company and Capuchin Soup Kitchen Choir in praying for an end to violence both for those in the Middle East as well as at home in Detroit. The free 7 p.m. event is sponsored by various ministries of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. St. Bonaventure is at 1760 Mount Elliott, Detroit.

Annual Red Mass to be Sept. 23

DETROIT — The 102nd annual “Red Mass” for those in the legal professions will be held at noon Sept. 23 at SS. Peter and Paul (Jesuit) Parish near downtown Detroit’s Renaissance Center. The annual Mass, which includes a renewal of commitments, is an occasion for judges, lawyers, civic leaders, faculty, law students and all those involved in the legal professions in some way to gather to ask God’s blessing on the new judicial term and pray for justice. The University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Law helps sponsor the event.

Tents collapse at parish festivals

DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Strong storms and wind brought down tents at two parish festivals Sept. 5, injuring several people. At St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights, a gust of wind kicked over a large tent with several people underneath, injuring five people, including one man who was initially listed in serious condition. The tent collapse occurred during a concert by local band Fifty Amp Fuse. In addition, two other minor injuries were reported after a tent blew down at the parish festival at St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township the same day.

Archbishop to celebrate German Mass

DETROIT — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will celebrate Mass in the German language during the ninth annual Oktoberfest at St. Joseph Church, part of Detroit’s Mother of Divine Mercy Parish. St. Joseph, the archdiocese’s only church with a regular German-language Mass, will host its festival Sept. 27-28, and will include German food, beer, dancers and folk music.