Where We’re At - July 20, 2024 - by Fr. Terry Kerner, Administrator/Moderator
Where we’re at? We are in a pretty good place with a new parking lot now available for use. There are additional parking spots, including ten handicap spaces. Entrance and exiting will still occur at the Gould St. gate. The old Calhoun street exit has been moved to the end of the parking lot, still allowing exiting on Calhoun street. Signage will offer directions that are easy to follow. The poles for the expanded lighting have been installed and the City of Dearborn has approved the electrical work. Once DTE completes the connection to the new pole on the corner of Schaefer and Gould we will have lighting for parking spaces and for the flag pole on the original high school site. Some earth sculpting for small berms needs to be done before fencing can be put in place. Hydroseeding, along with basic landscaping, will commence in September. Soon we will begin planning for memorial bricks and gardens on the high school site. Stay tuned for the invitation to help with the project. One final addition to the project will be the placing of Our Lady of Fatima statue on the massive piece of foundation from the high school. We are currently looking for a suitable outdoor state of Our Lady. All in all, much has been accomplished over the past several months. I would encourage parishioners to invite family members and friends to return home for Mass and see the “New Look”.
Where We’re At - June 30, 2024 - by Fr. Terry Kerner, Administrator/Moderator
Residents of Allegria Village will be missing a great friend and support for their senior community as Sr. Margaret Allandt IHM has announced her retirement effective for the end of June. Sr. Margaret has been a friend and source of inspiration for so many residents of the Village over the years. One resident speaking for many offered these words: "From offering a listening ear and comforting words, Sister Margaret's contributions have immeasurable." Residents of the Village hosted a farewell celebration this past week for Sister. Besides Village residents, many parishioners of St. Alphonsus — St. Clement have been blessed with her presence in their lives. Thank you Sister Margaret for your dedication and loving service for all of us. If you would like to share your best wishes to Sister simply mail or bring your expressions to the parish office. We will be happy to pass them on to Sister.
Hopefully you have had a chance to appreciate the progress on our new parking lot. We look forward to more handicap parking spaces and enhanced lighting. A new fence will be erected in the weeks ahead along with landscaping in the fall once cooler weather sets in. The invitation is extended to all parishioners and alumni to consider participating in efforts to establish memorial gardens. You will be hearing more about the efforts in the near future. All our efforts are fitting of the extraordinary significance and importance of the Catholic presence on this site. Truly it speaks to the surrounding community of our Faith and our commitment to continually witness to it.
In August we will be hosting the Mob Mass and expect to have hundreds of visitors to the parish. In the weeks ahead you will hear the call for folks to come forward to volunteer their services as guides and hosts. Liturgical roles, such as Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors will also be sought. Pray over and think about how you can serve your parish.
Many thanks to all who have contributed to the CSA thus far. Currently we are at 34% of our goal. As you have heard from our Finance Committee Chair, Peter Salamon this weekend, we need everyone's cheerful and generous support of the effort. The old saying "Give until hurts." Is so wrong about supporting our parish. Try saying: "Give until it feels good!"
St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish News June 2024
By Fr. Terry Kerner, Administrator/Moderator
"WHERE WE'VE BEEN"
The past two years have seen dramatic physical changes and improvements to our parish campus. Besides the razing of the schools and related buildings, numerous other projects have been addressed as well. Among oth-er things, a new roof on Yagley Hall, church electrical wiring, stained glass, church bells, leaky roof and a struggling organ were all given the attention they needed. As any homeowner knows, there is always something that needs attention at any given time. Our stately buildings are no exception to the rule. Our thanks to several parishioners who have stepped up and covered the costs of some of our needed improvements. Their gener-osity is exceptional. Also, supporters of the annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) generated a return of $29,751. The "over our target" funds were applied to church roof repair. All of this giving is significant in that it speaks of our parishioners' dedication and just where we are now!
"WHERE WE'RE AT"
We are in a good place. We’re now able to enjoy an expanded, well-lit, safe parking lot. We look forward to the City's collaboration providing new sidewalks. Now that the footprint of the new lot has been established, the design of the necessary fencing will be determined. After the cost of the parking lot, this is the most expensive item we can anticipate. We are looking for some well-heeled alumni or business to underwrite the cost! A statue of our Lady of Fatima will find a place near the southwest corner (gym site) of the campus. (Muslims have a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and we hope to share ours with theirs.) On the former site of the high school stands the cornerstone from 1921 and the newly restored flagpole donated by the class of 1942--the first to have graduates in WW II. Devotional areas honoring priests, religious and parishioners who have served the parish over the decades will be created with memorial bricks and landscaping. A Way of the Cross will eventu-ally find a home on the site of the elementary school.
"WHERE WE'RE GOING"
We are going forward! With the Archdiocesan endorsement they have recognized the priority of Catholic mis-sion over money. As much as the commercial value of the property is, our Catholic presence is priceless. The property has been dedicated to the evangelization of the Catholic Faith for 172 years. St. Alphonsus - St. Clement church stands amid the highest Muslim concentration in North America. We have been given the op-portunity to witness our Faith in a most dramatic and inspiring way. Some of the most extraordinary statements of Faith are spoken in the stunning architecture of a few one-hundred-year-old Detroit churches. We are in the same magnificent class as them!
Where We’re At - May 4, 2024 - by Fr. Terry Kerner, Administrator/Moderator
It looks like we are pretty much on schedule for the creation of a new parking lot! Work, probably, will begin this coming week, which means parking in Fr. Yagley’s parking lot is a necessity. Construction is estimated to take 3-4 weeks. Improved lighting will also be coming once DTE approves the plan. The new lot will afford additional parking and a greater accommodation for the handicapped. The temporary fence, needed for demolition, has been removed and no doubt folks might be seen crossing across the newly seeded lawns. We need to be understanding and come to appreciate the patience our neighbors have exhibited during the months of demolition. Our neighborhood only works when everyone works together. Hopefully good things lay ahead for this part of Dearborn.
In the next week or two, you will be receiving the annual Catholic Services Appeal request for your contribution. It is an important request. Not only does it help support the many works of the Archdiocese, but also allows us an opportunity to raise extra cash for Parish improvement. Last year’s drive collected over $27K above and beyond our target. The money remained in the Parish and was used for repair of our Church roof and needed electrical updates in the Church. This year’s monies, above the target, can be used to help with the new parking lot, needed fencing and landscaping. The Parish has not really had a capital campaign in a long time. The annual CSA gives us a timely and significant manner for raising funds. Contributions, from former parishioners and our many alumni, will help a great deal. No matter what you can afford to give, will be appreciated and used wisely. On a final note, our longtime parish bookkeeper is retiring and we are looking for a replacement. The position is part time and some of the work can be done from home. It interested or can recommend someone, give the parish office a call at 581-5218 Ext. 3.
Be well and enjoy God’s Blessings!
Where We’re At - April 21, 2024 - by Fr. Terry Kerner, Administrator/Moderator
The Archdiocese has endorsed our plan for the new parking lot and enhanced lighting. With the cooperation of DTE and the City of Dearborn, we hope to start work by the end of this month. Completion of the project, we hope to see, by the end of May. Certainly, with the work, will come inconvenience and we hope folks will take advantage of the parking around Fr. Yagley Hall. A new parking lot is not inexpensive and we will be withdrawing from our savings to cover the costs. At the same time, we are encouraging support for the annual CSA beginning in May. Last year, parishioners were very generous and allowed up to apply monies received, above our target, to be applied to the work on the lower roof of the Church. Certainly, donations above and beyond the CSA are welcome!
Our flagpole, which stands on the site of the old high school, has been reconditioned with the intent of flying “Old Glory” once again. This effort, has been made possible, with the donation by longtime parishioner, Frank Palmeri. Frank is a veteran and a patriot and we thank him for his effort. We look forward to a rededication of the flagpole around Memoria Day, assuming the parking lot work is completed. Thank you Frank for your generosity.
Parking is not the only work to be done on the new campus. Fencing, landscaping and devotional settings are also planned for in the months ahead. Certainly, what is planned will be attractive for parishioners and visitors to the parish. One event, being planned for, is Dearborn’s Homecoming. The weekend will be celebrating Masses and outdoor receptions at St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Church. The weekend will also afford the opportunity to open the time capsules, retrieved from the demolition of the elementary school and the activities building. The following weekend, August 11, we have been asked to host a visit from the “Mass Mob”, a movement of Catholics who appreciate attending Mass in historic and significant churches in the Archdiocese. The attendance usually includes hundreds of reverent and generous worshipers.
All in all, a lot is happening and planned for in our Parish. Please encourage family and former parishioners to come home and celebrate with us.