All Saints Church closes, 1896-2017

On November 9, 2017, Archbishop Allen Vigneron issued two decrees. The first decree merged All Saints Parish and Saint Gabriel Parish into a new parish community that will continue to use the name Saint Gabriel. The second decree relegated All Saints Church to profane use, effective January 1, 2018. At the time of the decrees, All Saints had about 300 families while St. Gabriel had 1,000.


All Saints Church, which I previously featured in April, 2014, was formally relegated to profane use after the final Mass on Sunday, December 31, 2017. Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hanchon celebrated the Mass, assisted by many priests from across the city, including many from the Southwest Vicariate.


All Saints Parish had a large deficit each of the last six years and the church needed $160,000 in repairs. Below is a Facebook video of the last Mass.


A brief video tour of the church.


Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan operates a soup kitchen that serves up to 200 meals a day as well as a food pantry in the lower level of the church. Both will stay open until officials can find another location nearby.  The Archdiocese plans to eventually sell the All Saints property.
 

The last pastor, Fr. Giancarlo Ghezzi, PIME, will soon become administrator of Divine Grace Parish (St. Patrick Church in Carelton and St. Joseph Church in Maybee).


For more info: The Michigan Catholic + Detroit Free Press

Upcoming events: week of October 30

Sunday, October 30

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING* 
& ALL SAINTS PARTY
* In the Extraordinary Form, Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday of October; Titular Feast of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

St. Joseph Oratory, Detroit
11:00am High Mass with St. Joseph Cappella followed by Benediction and consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
~1:00pm All Saints Party: Children 16 and under dress like a saint of their choice and give a brief presentation allowing the audience to guess. The costume, presentation and attention to detail will be noted and a prize awarded to the best boy saint and the best girl saint. When voting, remember parents cannot vote for their own child. The faithful of all ages are invited to bring a dish to share: salad, sandwich/plate, or dessert.
6:00pm Solemn Vespers

Facebook event + Institute-Christ-King.org

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Sunday, October 30
“THE POWERS OF ST. BENEDICT” with Fr. Ben Luedtke

Old St. Mary's Church, Detroit
Noon Mass with Fr. Ben Luedtke; 1:30pm seminar in the church
Free seminar on the life and miracles of St. Benedict. Learn about the St. Benedict medal and how it protects the bearers from evil. All attendees will receive a St. Benedict Medal and blessing.

OldStMarysDetroit.com + SaintBenedictProtection.com

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Sunday, October 30
Free Movie: “JOHN PAUL II”

AMC Southfield 20
3:00pm screening of "John Paul II", starring Jon Voight as the title character. Seating is first-come, first-serve and the theater is located at 25333 W. 12 Mile Road, West of Telegraph, Southfield, MI 48034

PolishNews.com

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Sunday, October 30 – Monday, November 7 
NOVENA FOR THE ELECTION
Pray for this important election, starting on October 30th, promoted by PrayMoreNovenas.com
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ELECTION PRAYER
By Servant of God Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
Lord Jesus Christ, You told us to give to Caesar
what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to
God. Enlighten the minds of our people in
America. May we choose a President of the United
States, and other government officials, according to
Your Divine will. Give our citizens the courage to
choose leaders of our nation who respect the sanctity
of unborn human life, the sanctity of marriage, the
sanctity of marital relations, the sanctity of family,
and the sanctity of aging. Grant us the wisdom to
give You, what belongs to You, our God. If we do
this, as a nation, we are confident You will give us an
abundance of Your blessings through our elected
leaders. Amen.

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Tuesday, November 1

ALL SAINTS' DAY* 

Honor all of the saints, known and unknown, the Church Triumphant

* A Holy Day of Obligation

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Wednesday, November 2

ALL SOULS' DAY

Pray for the faithful departed, the Church Suffering

Plenary Indulgences, applicable only to the deceased for whom you wish to pray

Here is how you can obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on November 2, All Souls Day:

• make a good confession within a week before or after All Souls
• be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin, for a plenary indulgence
• visit a church to pray for the faithful departed
• say one “Our Father” and the “Creed” during a visit to the church
• say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the Pope’s monthly intentions
• receive Holy Communion, on the same day or soon after

To obtain a Plenary Indulgence from November 1-8

• make a good Confession within a week of before or after All Souls Day
• be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin, for a plenary indulgence
• visit a cemetery and pray for the dead
• say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the monthly intentions set by the Pope
• receive Holy Communion worthily on the same day or soon after

Via Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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Friday, November 4

FIRST FRIDAY

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Saturday, November 5

FIRST SATURDAY

Honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary

All Saints Parish

All Saints Parish was established in 1896. The construction date of the current church is not clear — no visible cornerstone and few accessible records. Judging by the architectural style, its likely that the church was built in the 1920s. Next to the rectory stands a monument to the former parish school including a bell dated to 1915.

The church is located on Fort Street in southwest Detroit and, like many parishes in the area, it hosts a largely Latino congregation.

A depiction of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin is in the center of the apse. An inscription translates to "queen of all saints."

Most of the stained-glass windows are uniform and follow the same pattern.

Windows in the apse are more illustrative.

The Blessed Mother and the Sacred Heart of Jesus stand at the side altars.

Pietà rests in the vestibule.

Fr. Giancarlo Ghezzi, PIME, has served as administrator since last summer. Norbert Motowski serves as permanent deacon.

Stations of the Cross are at 6:00pm, bilingual, on Fridays during Lent.

Sunday Mass is at 9:30am (English), Noon (Spanish), and 6:00pm (Spanish). Wednesday Mass is at 6:00pm (Spanish).

The parish has a soup kitchen and food pantry that are active most weekdays with volunteers from inside and outside of the parish.

Image via: ASSK Detroit

Parish website: http://www.allsaintsdet.org/

For info about the soup kitchen and food pantry: http://asskdetroit.org/

More photos of the church: AOF Film Services