When Wilson Almand's pastor approached him with the bold idea, the retired Marine put his woodworking skills to good use
NORTH BRANCH — Wilson Almand doesn’t like to talk about himself, or about his woodworking talent. But he will talk about his belief that everyone has gifts that can be used to build up the Church.
“We all have the ability to do something. It’s just a matter of stepping up to the plate and doing it,” Almand said.
His grandmother instilled in him the values of service and hard work, as did his time in the United States Marine Corps, 25 years in all.
Almand’s no-nonsense style made an impression on Fr. Jim Houbeck, administrator of St. Mary Burnside Parish in North Branch, part of the Northern Lapeer County Family of Parishes, from the start. When the Archdiocese of Detroit announced Fr. Houbeck’s assignment to the rural parish in the spring of 2025, Almand was the first person to call Fr. Houbeck and offer assistance.
“He told me, ‘Father, if you need anything at all, I’m your guy. Just ask,’” Fr. Houbeck told Detroit Catholic. “And he’s proven ever since to be a very reliable jack-of-all-trades with a great heart and great talent.”
After arriving at the parish last summer, Fr. Houbeck learned that Almand had built a wooden deck for Fr. Larry Delonnay, a retired priest who lives in the area. At the same time, he saw a need for a confessional at St. Mary. The small church — which is said to be the only one in the Archdiocese of Detroit on a dirt road — held confessions in the choir loft or other areas of the church.
When Fr. Houbeck asked Almand if he’d consider building a confessional, he responded just as he did during his time in the Marines, with, “Yes, sir.”
Two local farmers donated money for materials, and Almand got to work. He finished the project around Christmas time. Getting the confessional into the space at the back of the small sanctuary was a challenge, but determined volunteers installed it in January.
The confessional features a large cross on one side surrounded by darker stained wood around it.
“I wanted the cross to stand out as you came in so it would catch your eye,” Almand said.
Almand’s woodworking skills developed over time as a hobby. During his time in service, Almand repaired aircraft with Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), known for helicopter transport of the president. In his free time, he took classes to learn how to make furniture.
“It was totally different from fixing helicopters,” Almand said. “You could sit down and relax and see how a piece turned out. My wife and I made most of the furniture in our house.”
A month after he completed the confessional, Almand crafted a kneeler to be raffled off at a fundraiser to benefit the parish’s youth group. While talking to Almand’s wife, Margaret, Fr. Houbeck mentioned how much he admired the kneeler, and so the couple decided to surprise their priest friend with a birthday gift. Almand and Fr. Houbeck each celebrate March birthdays.
Almand inscribed the kneeler with the words, “Fr. Jim, Fruitful Shepherd, North Branch, MI.” Fr. Houbeck uses it every day in the rectory at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in North Branch.
“It’s beautiful, but also very personal,” Fr. Houbeck said. “I spent a summer here when I was in seminary, and North Branch has always been very special to me. Now, to be their priest is indescribable. I take very seriously the need to teach them and bring them to Christ.”
Almand’s craftsmanship can be found around the parish and beyond. He builds ramps at the homes of parishioners who are unable to navigate stairs. For St. Mary Burnside, he made what he describes as a “piggy bank cross” in which donations from parishioners are given to the youth group and Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
“He doesn’t like recognition, but obviously, we see the fruits of (Almand’s) gift, and they’re quite remarkable,” Fr. Houbeck said.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus Council, a greeter for Mass, and a volunteer for the youth group, Almand contributes to the parish in many ways.
God-given talents come in countless forms, Fr. Houbeck says. Gifts of skill, service, hospitality, teaching, working with the poor or infirm, and others are meant to serve God and the Church.
“One thing I’ve always considered is Jesus’ teaching from the beatitudes where He says, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16),’” Fr. Houbeck said. “I think many times, the talent that God has given people stays dormant or hidden. By Wilson sharing his talents to build the confessional, people give glory to God by marveling the beauty of it and what it represents — the place where sinners are reconciled. If more Catholics could assess the gifts and talents they have and put them to use, we’d see the Church flourish.”
