Life Remodeled cleanup effort brings throngs of seminary, parish volunteers to Detroit

Detroit — Could the next tool of the New Evangelization be a lawnmower?

Possibly.

From July 31 to Aug. 4, hundreds of Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Detroit partnered with Life Remodeled, a Detroit-based nonprofit working to restore Detroit Durfee Middle School and the surrounding neighborhood.

That neighborhood includes Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which is why seminary rector and president Msgr. Todd Lajiness could be seen cutting grass at an overgrown lot on the corner of Linwood and Calvert.

“This is invaluable for community building, engaging with one another and bonding,” Msgr. Lajiness said. “You get to see another side of people you never see in the seminary, in the office or the classroom.”

Thousands of volunteers — not all of them Catholics — from across the Metro area converged on the area, whacking weeds, mowing lawns, chopping down overgrown bushes and picking up debris.



It’s the first step in a two-year Life Remodeled project, which will result in a beautified neighborhood that’s home to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, St. Charles Lwanga and St. Moses the Black parishes, as well as the newly transformed Durfee Elementary/Middle School building, which will become a community innovation center in partnership with Detroit Central High School.

For the seminary, it was an opportunity to get involved in a life-changing project for the community.

“One of the things we want to keep in mind is there is a whole lot more that’s going on besides the physical work,” Msgr. Lajiness said. “This is not just about cleaning up a neighborhood; that’s the first thing people see. But we prayed before we started. We prayed to make sure what we’re doing here is very much connected to what God is asking us in our hearts to be transformed.”

Staff from the seminary and parishes from across the region seized the opportunity, greeting grateful neighborhood residents who offered their thanks for the volunteers’ efforts.

“We really have an obligation to be responsible neighbors, and this is a great way to show up in force and show our love and support for the neighborhood,” said Kathy Luberski, director of financial aid at Sacred Heart. “Looking around, we saw people driving by waving at us as we were walking to the worksite. And we were receiving so many ‘thank-yous’ and appreciation while we were working.”

As the volunteers began removing shrubbery and picking up shards of glass and bottles, Luberski said the simple act can do wonders for a person’s soul.

“You can imagine yourself living here, how much better you would feel with the way it looks now,” Luberski said. “It brings dignity to the neighborhood. Plus it’s fun. I live in a condo, so I don’t have the opportunity to do lawn work anymore. It’s really fun to see my coworkers in this environment; all the sweat equity really makes a difference.”



Fr. Stephen Burr, the seminary’s vice rector, said participating in Life Remodeled is a renewal of a commitment to the neighborhood that began when Sacred Heart was first established in 1919.

“We’re happy to be part of this project because we’re living here in the city. We love the city and the people of this neighborhood,” Fr. Burr said. “So when you get the chance to come out and help our local neighbors, it really makes a difference.”

Fr. Burr noted the seminarians are used to going into the neighborhoods to meet people and minister to their needs, but added projects like Life Remodeled are also a type of ministry.

“Lots of ministry is behind a desk, in a classroom, in boardrooms,” Fr. Burr said. “But coming out like this, it gives us some refreshment. Saying, ‘Lord, we can do ministry beyond what we typically do.’ It’s great for us and the people we serve.”

As to whether mowing a lawn counts as part of the New Evangelization, Fr. Burr said something does happen to a person’s soul when they see others taking care of the neighborhood.

“No one wants to see trash in their backyard or in the street,” Fr. Burr said. “Hopefully people can take away that Christ loves them, because there are people here to help. We’re here because of the mission that we know Jesus is in our lives, and we bring that to whatever we do.”

The Life Remodeled project also gave people from outside the city the chance to show their support.

Jack Buscemi of St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township said he wasn’t familiar with the neighborhood before volunteering for service hours he need in order to be confirmed.

“I felt it would be good to help some people out,” Buscemi said. “The community down here is great. I don’t spend a lot of time down in this neighborhood. It’s a little scary at first, but once you get into doing everything, it’s a lot easier.”