Detroit area gets basilica
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Church in Royal Oak, Mich., is becoming a basilica. Pope Francis granted the shrine that honorary title — technically, “minor basilica”; major basilicas are only in Rome — after Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron requested it from the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. Basilicas have a closer connection to the pope, and Little Flower, founded in 1926, will now observe more feast days associated with St. Peter and the papacy.
To be a basilica, a place of worship has to have heightened liturgical activity and architectural stature, among other qualifications. Little Flower, which was named for St. Therese of Lisieux, has eight Masses on weekends as one of the most active churches in Detroit’s archdiocese. Its building is in the art deco style, and features one of the first round sanctuaries with an altar in the center.
The becoming-a-basilica celebration will feature a Mass led by the archbishop, with a reading of the decree, April 22 at 7 p.m.
The shrine becomes the 82nd basilica in the U.S. The Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey is the only basilica in the Diocese of Toledo.
Philippines bishop consecrated
Metropolitan Archbishop Marcis Heckman of the Reformed Catholic Church, which has its global headquarters in Toledo, consecrated Bishop Jerome Marie Nirto, who will serve the church’s Philippines Diocese, in a ceremony Thursday at Holy Cross Reformed Catholic Church. Bishop Nirto begins with responsibility for that country but, Archbishop Heckman said, he will “eventually take care of all of Oceania.”
Compassion in a multifaith view
The annual Jewish-Christian-Muslim Dialogue at the University of Toledo, presented by the Center for Religious Understanding, will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Ingman Room of the university’s student union. The Rev. James J. Bacik, the former pastor of Corpus Christi University Parish and currently a professor at the Catholic Theological Union and Lourdes University, will give remarks on “Karen Armstrong and Pope Francis on Compassion: Theological Perspectives and Practical Strategies,” then Rabbi Evan Rubin of Congregation Etz-Chayim and Dr. S. Amjad Hussain, a Blade columnist who is an emeritus professor of the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, will offer their reflections on the talk.
The event is free and includes dessert. Attendees are requested to bring canned or boxed food to donate to the UT Student Food Pantry. Visitors may park for free in the university’s Lot 13 or the west ramp.
Staged worship drama ‘Witnesses’
Grace Lutheran Church, 4441 Monroe St., enters theater mode Sunday at 4 p.m. with the staging of the worship drama Witnesses, written by Curt Cloninger and starring the Rev. Jonathan P. Swenson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who tours the country to perform.
In the show Rev. Swenson plays eight characters, portraying different ways they witnessed and responded to Jesus. After the 70-minute performance, Rev. Swenson will answer questions and then take part in fellowship in the church’s Brenner Hall.
Admission is free.
Sister Shannon on Mother Mary
Sister Shannon Schrein of the Sylvnia Franciscans will give a reflection, “Mary of Nazareth: Woman of Grace,” Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sisters’ Regina Conference Center, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania. Sister Shannon is the dean of Lourdes University’s graduate school and directs the master of arts in theology program. Registration is $15 at the door, with RSVPs requested by Feb. 14 to Sister Joan Jurski at jjurski@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3528.
Fund-raising banquet expands
Heartbeat of Toledo’s annual fund-raising banquet expands to a two-night option in 2015. On March 23 and March 24 at Premier Banquet Hall, 4480 Heatherdowns Blvd., the pregnancy support center will host a 6 p.m. gathering and 6:30 dinner with author Kirk Walden as the speaker, on the theme “Building the Wall of Hope: One Life at a Time.” In 2014, 750 people attended, so Heartbeat moved the event to two nights in anticipation of larger interest.
Reservations can be made at heartbeatoftoledo.org or 419-241-9131.
First Published February 7, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
