The big house.
That's how the youngsters in the Clinton Township, MI., area of Fourteen and Beaconsfield Streets refer to the former St. Claude Rectory, the residence with six suites of rooms, three huge office spaces for pastoral and professional spiritual directors, and, Catholic psychologisists, among others healing helpers. The large finished basement affords room for group spiritual direction, centering prayer, growth groups, aerobics, and more. The four-car garage is a site to see itself. The edifice is used for daily prayer, meetings, and, of course, Mass every Sunday at 11 am and 7 pm. In fact, it's my pleasure presiding there for the evening Mass the next couple of Sundays. Amid the frenetic pace of city life, the big house and campus is a pause to ponder and notice God's good earth, and the beat and beauty of all of creation.
With a private upper level residence with two separate two-room suites, and a private entrance, and, a common kitchen and sitting area, and balcony, the beautiful parklike setting is ideal for persons who are working on recovering, and, in remission from substance and process addictions. Perhaps residents want some minimal community, supervision or engaging with peers on the mend, and, motivated to maintain sobriety.
Mary Zuby, Marge Hallman, Carol Sharber, John Jesnig and I were sprucing up the big house this week. It is an ideal pastoral setting where I live, and, am hoping others, including clergy,
may inquire.
What busy beavers we were working away at installing concrete steps at the back door, shining glass, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the kitchen, washing dishes, and more this week. A pause here and there to connect with the Creator reminded me of Labor Day's meaning Monday and the unofficial end of Summer.
The big house is part of the complex and parish of St. Thecla on Metropolitan Parkway near Groesbeck.
A city-block-size campus nestled amid giant trees and other plush greenery, the house and edifice is encased with shiny black fencing in the retreat-like site. It is ideal for reflection. In fact, one evening this week, as I returned home there in the dark, I noticed a person walking without any response to my greeting until I shouted: "Is that you, John?" A voice shot back: "I'm not a man, and I'm making the stations of the cross." "That's good. We need all the prayer we can do,"
I praised her after my apology: "I'm sorry, I can't see in the dark."
Young people apparently planted the fourteen stations of the trek of Jesus before his crucifixion and resurrection from the dead in the first century. Trees have posted an eight-and-one-half by eleven picture of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, his falls, his wiping the face of Veronica,
and more all the way to Calvary.
Serenity lives on these grounds, for sure. A Serenity House of Prayer sounds like an appropriate name for those who rent the spaces soon, I hope.
A garden with a concrete gray-colored Saint Francis statue adorns another area of the trailway where pedestrian traffic can be noticed early in the morning and later at night as neighbors stroll through the green grounds. Red, purple and other bright flowers add to the beauty everywhere.
One man regularly kneels on the asphalt imploring the help of the copper-colored image of Mary, Mother of God, as she holds the young Jesus with a wall plaque nearby for the dignity of babies in and outside mom's womb. I notice how gracefully this same guy makes the sign of the cross + at the beginning and end of his prayer period, an iconic mark and practice of Catholics connecting with the maker often during the day. The Angelus comes to mind, and, of course, the cherished rosary prayed by so many so often.
What I relish mostly is a prayer walk there daily as I ponder on a word from the Sacred Scriptures, such as love. All of the gospels of Matthew's 25th chapter surface in my slow walk on the grass and trailway. Woof and Wolf, my two-year-old Bich0n Frise dogs can't wait to hit the door and frolic outside the big house twice a day at least. A walkers' club weekly would be awesome as people exercise their living Temples made by God. A single and young adult fireside grill with songs Saturday, September 24th from 7-9 pm will offer the faithful a chance to visit the holy site and roast marshmallows, hot dog or burgers they bring to grill.
One of the volunteers, Mary, who really gets things moving, moved Woof with me as Wolf grasped the leash pulling Wolf in every direction earlier this afternoon as we finished cleaning. What a delightful seen to watch the spontaneity of both creatures. Each has its own personality, like each of us made in God's wonderful image and likeness. Witnessing people praying here is a sight to behold. Devoted, fervent and regular faithful remind me of the value of routine daily.
Forward your ideas and comments to me at sacredheartroseville@saintly.com, or call me at 586 777 9116. I'd savor your inquiries, rental questions, and suggestions about using this space well and wonderfully for the community.
Prasing God for the beauty of creation consumes me these days as we pause to ponder this Labor Day weekend.
God's big serenity house, imagine that!
Loving it. I need to visit.
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