Celebrating Palm Sunday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger prepares to bless the congregation with holy water outside the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Palm Sunday, March 29. (Photos by Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic)
On Sunday, March 29, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated Mass on Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion to mark the start of the solemn Holy Week liturgies at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Like Masses celebrated across the Archdiocese of Detroit, the cathedral's liturgy began outside the church with the blessing of the palms before proceeding into the sanctuary. The Mass, one of the most solemn of the Church's liturgical year, included the reading of the Gospel account of Jesus' crucifixion and death in preparation for the Sacred Triduum.
Attending Sacred Heart's performance of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'
Archbishop Weisenburger and Fr. Stephen Burr, rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, took in the performance in the seminary's new auditorium.
On Saturday, March 21, Archbishop Weisenburger joined faculty, guests and friends in Sacred Heart Major Seminary's auditorium for the seminarians' stunning performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The all-seminarian cast of 17 performed this year's musical for the first time in the newly renovated auditorium.
Fish fry with the faithful at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth
On Friday, March 20, Archbishop Weisenburger continued his parish fish fry tour with a Lenten Friday visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth. The archbishop greatly enjoyed meeting and chatting with parishioners and patrons, especially Mary and her father (pictured above), and the many families who attended. The archbishop attended the fish fry with Fr. Timothy Birney, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Detroit, whose brother, Mike Birney, organized the fish fry.
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, left, is pictured with Fr. Timothy Birney, right, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Detroit, along with Fr. Birney's brother, Mike Birney, who led Our Lady of Good Counsel's fish fry.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Corktown
On Tuesday, March 17, the feast of St. Patrick, Archbishop Weisenburger continued the decades-old tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day Mass at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit's Corktown district. Following Mass, the parish hosted its traditional "Sharin' O the Green" luncheon and fundraiser, and Archbishop Weisenburger greeted members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Court representing the Detroit United Irish Societies.
Archbishop Weisenburger with Msgr. Charles Kosanke of Most Holy Trinity Parish.
The archbishop with Kevin Doyle, chairman of the St. Patrick's Day event.
Celebrating confirmations at St. Paul of Tarsus Parish in Clinton Township
On Saturday, March 14, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated the sacrament of confirmation with dozens of young people at St. Paul of Tarsus Parish in Clinton Township. The sacrament confers the grace of the Holy Spirit in a powerful way, strengthening and sealing the recipient with graces needed to live a life devoted to following Jesus Christ.
Archbishop Weisenburger with Fr. Jim Lopez of St. Paul of Tarsus Parish.
Archbishop Weisenburger with parish catechist Janice Krygowski.
Fish fry fun and community at St. Sabina Parish in Dearborn Heights
Archbishop Weisenburger “helps” a volunteer in the fry kitchen. “I had to teach him how to make the fries correctly,” he joked.
On Friday, March 13, Archbishop Weisenburger joined parishioners, volunteers and community members at St. Sabina Parish in Dearborn Heights for its Lenten fish fry. The archbishop enjoyed good conversation and great food with fellow diners, chatted with a 100-year-old parishioner, and even “helped” kitchen volunteers make the fries.
The archbishop joins Elizabeth Stobierski and her mother, Josephine Stobierski, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday, at St. Sabina Parish’s fish fry.
“They caught me with my hand in the till,” the archbishop joked.
Enjoying Friday fish and great company at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger is pictured with Ralph Kaleniecki, a seminarian from Our Lady Star of the Sea studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and Msgr. Gary Smetanka, during the parish’s Friday Lenten fish fry on March 6.
On Friday, March 6, Archbishop Weisenburger enjoyed excellent food and even better company at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish’s famous Friday Lenten fish fry in Grosse Pointe Woods. Msgr. Gary Smetanka, the host of the dinner, made his famous homemade brownies for dessert, receiving rave reviews from the archbishop and other guests. Volunteers from the parish, including seminarian Ralph Kaleniecki, helped make the event a success.
Archbishop Weisenburger with the “fry team.”
The indoor kitchen helpers who volunteered their time to help out.
Recognizing Anne Kennedy for her years of service on the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors
Archbishop Weisenburger and Paul Long, president of the Michigan Catholic Conference, presented Board of Directors member Anne Kennedy with a plaque in commemoration of her multiple terms of service to the Michigan Catholic Conference. Kennedy specifically used her expertise in finance to serve the faithful of the State of Michigan.
Attending the ordination of Syriac Deacon Bashar Matti Shaffo in Farmington Hills
On Sunday, March 1, Archbishop Weisenburger attended the ordination of Deacon Bashar Matti Shaffo at St. Toma Syriac Catholic Cathedral in Farmington Hills. Bishop Barnaba Yousif Habash, bishop of the Syriac Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance in the United States, presided in his beautiful cathedral.
Attending 'The Way Forward' conference in St. Paul, Minnesota
From Feb. 25-27, Archbishop Weisenburger attended the fifth annual "The Way Forward" conference at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. The annual gathering brings together about 25 bishops, professional theologians and media experts from across the country to discuss insightful and timely topics related to the Catholic faith. This year's conference focused on Catholic media, Catholic influencers and artificial intelligence.