Detroit Stories

Loyola principal's first book, 'The Urban Playbook,' a blueprint for empowering young Black men with the tools to succeed

(0:05) Wyatt Jones III, Ph.D., reads an excerpt from his book, "The Urban Playbook," about when he told his father, Deacon Wyatt Jones II, about his new job as the dean of students at Loyola High School. Deacon Jones was at home in hospice care and didn’t respond to the news verbally, but Wyatt could sense the pride coming from his “superman.” Two days later, Deacon Jones died, an event which Wyatt says led to the birth of his “inner beast.”

(1:00) The narrator introduces Wyatt Jones III, now principal and alumni of Loyola Catholic High School in Detroit. In the summer of 2022, Wyatt published his book, “The Urban Playbook,” which he describes as a guide to building genuine and sustainable relationships with Black boys. The book is a summation of his lifelong knowledge from personal experience and as an educator.

(2:52) The narrator discusses the educational landscape of inner-city Detroit. Although Black males are statistically less likely to graduate than their peers, Wyatt has set out to change that at Loyola Catholic High School.

(3:57) The narrator shares how Loyola has been an exception to Detroit high school norms and introduces DJ, a former student and mentee of Wyatt. DJ describes growing up in Detroit and becoming involved in a gang. After getting into trouble, DJ was sent to Loyola Catholic High School during his junior year of high school, where he met Wyatt.

(6:38) Wyatt shares his first impressions of DJ as an angry, hardened teen, but Wyatt recognized that DJ needed someone to tell him that they loved him and believed in him.

(9:05) The narrator talks about the chapter in Wyatt’s book that is devoted to DJ. Wyatt shares details of the chapter.

(9:38) DJ talks about Wyatt’s impact on his life and how eventually, DJ was chosen to be a leader on his Kairos retreat, despite his protests. The retreat changed his life, and DJ grew as a leader among his peers.

(11:39) The narrator reads an excerpt from a letter Wyatt wrote to DJ on his Kairos retreat.

(12:19) DJ shares how much Wyatt meant to him and how he shaped him into the man that he is today — as a director of a hospice company, a father and a husband.

(13:55) Wyatt shares how proud he is of DJ and how honored he is to know him. Wyatt says that walking with young men like DJ is how he wants to evangelize.

Reporting by Gabriella Patti; script by Casey McCorry; narration and production by Ron Pangborn

This episode is sponsored by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. Being a mom is the most challenging and rewarding job in the world! At Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, they make it a bit easier for moms who are feeling alone, struggling financially, or who need an extra hand to help them establish a secure and happy family. To learn more about the ways you can help moms in need visit ccsem.org/respectlife.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

A struggling writer and atheist, Jeff Jay's battle with alcoholism led him to the brink — and finally back to the God who loves him

(0:03) The narrator tells the harrowing story of Jeff Jay’s near brush with death on a rickety sailboat in the dark and stormy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A December gale nearly destroyed his ship and left him clinging to life for seven days until he was miraculously rescued by a passing dinghy.

(1:09) As the narrator explains, this wasn’t Jeff’s darkest hour — but it was something of a metaphor for hopelessness that had enveloped his earlier life as an alcoholic.

(2:25) Jeff describes his upbringing in a Catholic family living in Grosse Pointe, and the circumstances that led to his loss of faith and eventual foray into atheism. He began drinking heavily in college, eventually dropping out and hitchhiking his way around the country.

(4:56) A fan of beatniks such as Jack Keroac, Jeff traveled the country seeking to emulate their lifestyle, eventually winding up in San Francisco. Although he tried his hand at writing, Jeff’s struggles with alcohol led him to bounce from odd job to odd job, as well as various health issues and a battle with depression and homelessness. When a friend committed suicide, Jeff began to seriously contemplate ending his own life.

(7:22) In a stroke of divine providence, a friend of Jeff’s brothers happened to be visiting San Francisco and recognized Jeff living on the streets. He tracked down Jeff’s family, who arranged a phone call at the flop house where he was staying.

(9:36) After a conversation with his father, Jeff found himself on a plane ticket to Flint, where he was admitted to Hurley Hospital for detox. A doctor explained Jeff’s condition, and taught him about the disease known as alcoholism.

(11:20) Jeff began Alcoholics Anonymous, but still wasn’t convinced of the program’s spiritual elements. For two years, he lived at home with his parents, afraid he would relapse. Anxious and hopeless, Jeff reached a breaking point during which he could do nothing but cry out to a God in which he didn’t believe.

(14:35) To Jeff’s surprise, God answered. And suddenly, the 12-step program in which he found himself didn’t seem so daunting. He began to rebuild his life brick by brick, with the help of others in the program. Life wasn’t always easy, but with Jeff’s newfound faith, it was bearable.

(15:44) Now years removed from AA, Jeff looks back on that period in his life with gratitude for shaping him into the man he is today. Now, he works with other families struggling with addiction, and he’s finally written his book: “Love First, A Family’s Guide to Intervention.”

Reporting, script and narration by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn.

This episode is sponsored by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. Being a mom is the most challenging and rewarding job in the world! At Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, they make it a bit easier for moms who are feeling alone, struggling financially, or who need an extra hand to help them establish a secure and happy family. To learn more about the ways you can help moms in need visit ccsem.org/respectlife.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

On World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Catholics recognize the importance of engaging the 'backbone of our parishes'

(0:02) The narrator offers depressing statistics about the state of elder loneliness in America, including one statistic that shows up to a quarter of those 65 and older are considered “socially isolated,” which comes with its own set of health risks. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these trends.

(1:51) One Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit has decided to do something about this, building community by starting with the heads of families — seniors. The movement began with Pope Francis declaring a worldwide celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on the fourth Sunday in July.

(2:55) Cindy Portis, Christian service coordinator at St. Colette Parish in Livonia and evangelical charity coordinator for the Northwest Wayne 2 Family of Parishes, talks about the importance of engaging seniors at the parish level. Portis contends its this group that’s likely to evangelize their family members.

(4:09) Portis describes a new senior group at the Family of Parishes, called “Seasoned Saints.” Portis explains the significance of the name and describes its purpose.

(5:22) At the first meeting in March, attendees were visibly excited, Portis said. For many, it was the first chance to get out of isolation after a long COVID winter. The group got to work planning activities and outings throughout the year, including monthly themes.

(8:41) Eighty-three people showed up to the first meeting, ages 68 to 101. Portis talks about the collective wisdom of the group, which combined holds a wealth of knowledge and experience from decades of life lessons.

(10:00) Liam Neary and his wife, Charlotte, were among the attendees. In their 80s, the couple describes themselves as “roamin’ Catholics” but say they’ve found a home within the group at St. Colette.

(12:15) Liam and Charlotte volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic to call and check in on lonely seniors, including those in hospice. They describe themselves as “lucky,” because they still have each other.

(12:41) Sandy MacLeod, 82, of St. Kenneth Parish in Plymouth, describes the companionship she found with “Seasoned Saints.” MacLeod lost her husband in 2007, and was never able to have children. To her, the group is a breath of fresh air.

(15:03) The narrator describes the value of seniors to the Catholic community, the glue holding the parish together. They are volunteers, family matriarchs and patriarchs, and faithful prayer warriors who hold their church in prayer. As the narrator says, “Today, let’s celebrate them.”

Reporting, script and narration by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

This episode of Detroit Stories is brought to you by our friends at Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Pre-planning your Catholic funeral is a gift of love for those you cherish. To learn more about pre-planning to prepare those you care about for this journey, visit CFCSdetroit.org.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

(0:01) Beth Bauer, who coordinates Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for post-abortive men and women in southeast Michigan, talks about the importance of supporting people who’ve suffered hurt, trauma and pain in choosing abortion, and helping heal their spiritual and psychological wounds.

(3:39) Listeners are introduced to Anne Marie and David Sauve, a married couple of 37 years who have three daughters and attend Holy Spirit Parish in Shields, Mich. When the couple met in college, however, they were typical young people — attending parties and living carefree lives. After a few months of dating and sleeping together, Anne Marie became pregnant.

(5:45) Separately, Anne Marie and David fretted about the situation, fearing what the news would mean for their lives, careers and even future together. Anne Marie, who grew up Catholic, was ashamed of what her parents would think. She was also fearful of losing David, who feared the same thing — though he admits his lack of communication caused Anne Marie anxiety.

(10:35) Believing it was the only way to “dial back the clock,” the couple decided to pursue an abortion — though neither of them felt completely comfortable with the decision. Anne Marie describes the operation as the “darkest moment of my life.” Through tears, she describes the emotion, pain and trauma of her abortion, adding it did not have the effect the couple had hoped.

(13:45) Kathleen Wilson, pro-life and Project Rachel coordinator for the Archdiocese of Detroit, describes the efforts of the Church today to provide healing resources for men and women like David and Anne Marie. Individuals or couples who reach out to the confidential Project Rachel Abortion healing helpline will find a referral network of compassionate priests, counseling professionals and lay mentors as well as prayer and retreat opportunities such as the Rachel’s Vineyard.

(16:33) After their abortion, David and Anne Marie sought to make changes in their lives, becoming more involved in their faith and even making vows of celibacy to each other until they were married in 1985. But after several decades and three daughters, the pain of the couple’s abortion remained.

(18:20) One day, while driving to work, David heard an interview with Bauer on the radio, during which she discussed Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for post-abortive men and women. He pitched the idea to a hesitant Anne Marie, and the couple decided to go.

(19:13) The couple describes their experience during the retreat, which they describe as a place of hospitality, comfort and mercy. Anne Marie describes some of the sensory experiences provided, which are intended to help the couple face their decision and heal with Jesus’ help.

(21:19) Anne Marie describes a particularly moving moment in which she and David are encouraged to imagine their child “standing in a field of flowers.” The couple is encouraged to name their child, write a letter to him or her, and imaging them standing with the Lord in heaven. The experience allows the Sauves to grieve.

(26:28) In another segment, David and Anne Marie are encouraged to seek forgiveness from the Lord, their child and from each other.

(27:28) The couple describes how the retreat completely changed their outlook on life, so much so that now, when couples come to Rachel’s Vineyard seeking comfort and solace, they are the ones providing it as volunteers.

Reporting by Gabriella Patti; narration by Leah Butalid; script by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

This episode of Detroit Stories is brought to you by our friends at Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Pre-planning your Catholic funeral is a gift of love for those you cherish. To learn more about pre-planning to prepare those you care about for this journey, visit CFCSdetroit.org.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

For abortion healing help in Detroit, call or text (313) 237-5929 Helpline (888) 722-4355.

Ann Arbor Rachel's Vineyard: (734) 879-0427 or [email protected]

National Project Rachel Ministry: Project Rachel

Archdiocese of Detroit: [email protected]

Saginaw (Lori Becker): [email protected]

Grand Rapids (Margaret Walsh): [email protected]

Kalamazoo (Lisa Irwin): [email protected]

Marquette (Denise Foye): [email protected]

For national information on Rachel’s Vineyard retreats, visit www.rachelsvineyard.org.

Inspired by his life, a group of young adults wrote, directed, cast and performed an original musical about St. Ignatius of Loyola

(0:11) When Paul Center, a 33-year-old Catholic and automotive engineer from Rochester Hills, and his friends discovered they had some free time during the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to write a musical.

(1:29) Center recruited his sister, Danielle, and friend Dylan, and the three — who share an artistic background — decided to brainstorm ideas to bring their faith to the stage. Along with Thomas Abbot and Josh Ross, the group originally wanted to make a skit about saints “hanging out in heaven, telling each other’s stories.” But a certain saint came to the foreground.

(3:36) St. Ignatius of Loyola’s story resonated with the group, who saw in the founder of the Jesuits a saint with a particularly 21st century story: He loved to sing and dance and fight. A young soldier, he found God only after a battle injury shattered his leg.

(4:41) Dylan and some of the cast members describe St. Ignatius’ story, relating with his “messy” life. Miriam Miller, who plays an evil spirit named Seren in the musical, talks about St. Ignatius’ doubts — something every millennial can relate to.

(6:37) The cast brainstorms how to capture St. Ignatius’ story in a way that helps bring audience members closer to God. The play took two years to write, cast, rehearse and ultimately perform May 21-22.

(7:54) Jake Rapanotti, the lead playing St. Ignatius for act one, describes the “bait and switch” that led him to accept the role, despite feeling out of place. Jake and Miriam describe the challenges and joys of their parts.

(13:33) Paul and the crew promote the show through word of mouth, social media and church bulletins, preparing for the big day, which finally arrives with a packed house at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Sterling Heights.

(14:35) Audience members tell Detroit Catholic how much they loved the musical, and how much they learned about St. Ignatius’ life.

(16:24) Paul talks about the goal of “Shattered,” which is to evangelize in the modern world. Rather than the typical young adult “food and fellowship” events, he says the musical brought the cast and crew — and hopefully the audience — closer to a relationship with God.

Reporting and narration by Karla Dorweiler; script by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

This episode of Detroit Stories is brought to you by our friends at Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Pre-planning your Catholic funeral is a gift of love for those you cherish. To learn more about pre-planning to prepare those you care about for this journey, visit CFCSdetroit.org.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

How one woman's inspiration to pray for her priest launched an archdiocese-wide movement of spiritual support

(0:01) Fr. John Kopson, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Warren, describes a homily he once heard describing the priesthood as analogous to the military. If priests are the soldiers of the Church, the “boots on the ground,” they can only be effective if they have “air support” — i.e., the prayers of the faithful uplifting and supporting them.

(2:36) Mindy DeWitt, a member of Divine Child Parish in Dearborn, recalls a realization she had one day about how hard priests work and how much they sacrifice for their flocks. The thought stuck with DeWitt, who made it her personal mission to pray for priests and make little sacrifices for them, too.

(5:10) After reading a Vatican document about the importance of Eucharistic adoration and holy hours to pray for the sanctification of priests, DeWitt contacted Fr. Kopson with an idea for a new apostolate, “Parishioners for Priests,” that would be devoted to spiritually adopting priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

(6:41) Through the apostolate, DeWitt and her husband printed prayer cards, launched social media pages and developed a “Priest of the Day” initiative to pray, by name, for one priest of the archdiocese each day.

(7:25) DeWitt describes the “Adopt a Priest” initiative, which invites parishioners to anonymously pray for a specific priest, chosen at random. The priest is given a card telling him he’s been spiritually adopted, and receives the consolation of knowing someone — even if he doesn’t know who — is praying for him every day.

(8:22) Fr. Kopson describes what it’s like as a priest to be spiritually “adopted,” including the great sense of peace knowing his ministry — as hard as it is sometimes — isn’t being undertaken alone.

(10:05) DeWitt describes the overwhelming response to the program from both parishioners and priests since it was launched in 2017.

(12:31) The narrator talks about how the program is especially relevant in 2022, when the Archdiocese of Detroit is undertaking a Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. Fr. Kopson says the devil wants to discourage men from considering the priesthood, but that a year of prayer is exactly what’s needed.

(16:38) Fr. Kopson issues a “call to arms” to parishioners of the archdiocese to spiritually support their priests through prayer, sacrifice and love.

Reporting by Daniel Meloy; script and narration by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

This episode of Detroit Stories is brought to you by our friends at Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Pre-planning your Catholic funeral is a gift of love for those you cherish. To learn more about pre-planning to prepare those you care about for this journey, visit CFCSdetroit.org.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

Disclaimer: Detroit Catholic and the Archdiocese of Detroit do not offer financial advice. The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be construed as financial advice.

(0:02) Amid the rise of cryptocurrency and a constant stream of advertising, many Catholics have questions. How does it all work? Is this all real? And is it moral?

(2:15) Tiffany Welka, a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth and founder of the podcast "Welka Wealth," which delves into faith-based investing, describes what cryptocurrency is, how it started and the appeal for crypto miners and traders.

(3:15) Daniel Svogun, Ph.D., assistant professor of finance at the Busch School of Finance at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., describes digital assets, including how one obtains cryptocurrency through third-party exchanges.

(4:20) Deacon Richard Napoli, a recently retired CEO of a software company that specializes in blockchain technology, describes how blockchain works as an online distributive ledger that allows multiple users to keep track of and verify transactions.

(7:03) Welka describes the nature and history of currency, which started with bartering goods and services for other goods and services, and how that eventually evolved into the "fiat" currency we have today, as well as digital currency.

(11:20) Deacon Napoli describes the origins of BitCoin, a currency developed from blockchain, and the nature of "mining," which is a computer process that creates BitCoins and other types of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency is not regulated or is centrally monitored, which makes investing in crypto a riskier proposition, and potentially, on shakier ethical grounds, Deacon Napoli said.

(16:46) Deacon Napoli delves into whether or not cryptocurrency is a moral good, and the responsibility of users to use cryptocurrency for good ends.

(18:36) Welka speculates on a few principles Catholics can apply when thinking about cryptocurrency. All investments can be used for good or evil, so it’s important to assess why someone is investing in cryptocurrency. 

(22:04) Svogun describes a case in which cryptocurrency was used as a method of payment in support of human and drug trafficking, with Bitcoin being the primary currency in 2011-13. However, cryptocurrency has also allowed for people to support those who are oppressed by their government, particularly the underground Catholic Church in China, or in times of war when people can donate aide via cryptocurrency. Svogun notes how cryptocurrency can help facilitate microfinancing and using cryptocurrency to create a financing structuring to help those shut out of the traditional banking market.

(25:33) Another key concern for Catholics is that cryptocurrency takes a significant environmental toll, Svogun says. Cryptocurrency mining uses 0.5 percent of the world’s electricity supply, with warehouses full of computers running algorithms day and night — a huge drain on the electrical grid.

(27:59) Deacon Napoli speculates how NFTs (non-fungible tokens) might be used more than cryptocurrencies by average investors. Deacon Napoli explains how NFTs might allow for investors to contribute to the preservation and restoration of Catholic art and churches.

(32:48) The Church doesn’t have formal encyclicals or teachings on the morality of cryptocurrency or NFTs, but there are Catholic principles one could apply to the investment and use of digital assets, Welka says, along with government regulation coming to the digital-asset market.

(34:00) Can Catholics use cryptocurrency and digital assets to develop a Catholic economy around the principles of Catholic social teaching that work toward human flourishing? Svogun says while rare, some parishes do accept cryptocurrency as a form of tithing, and some Catholic groups have begun to accept donations via crypto — something for the Church to discern in an ever-changing economy.

Reporting and script by Daniel Meloy; narration by Emily Mentock; production by Ron Pangborn

This podcast is brought to you by our friends at Ave Maria Mutual funds. Visit them at avemariafunds.com to learn more about responsible Catholic investing.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

After meeting a man with no arms and no legs, Notre Dame Prep students devise invention to make his life easier — but he changes theirs, too

(0:03) Listeners are introduced to Gary Miracle, a 40-year-old father of four from Florida who was a healthy sales associate, athlete and crew member of a Christian band until a sudden illness two years ago resulted in the loss of both his arms and his legs.

(1:49) Gary describes the sudden onset of sepsis — a blood infection — between Christmas and New Year’s in 2019 that sent him to the emergency room multiple times. On New Year’s Eve, he went downhill quickly, and on Jan. 1, 2020, Gary died — for 11 minutes.

(4:24) Doctors were able to revive him, and Gary was airlifted to a hospital in Orlando, where he remained in a coma on life support for 10 days. In order to save his life, doctors had to amputate both his arms and both his legs. He was given a 1.7% chance of survival.

(5:50) Upon awaking from his coma, Gary learned the gravity of his situation. Though not a “super Christian Sunday school answer kind of guy,” Gary’s mind immediately went to the biblical story of Job, specifically chapter 1, verse 21: “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.”

(7:04) Listeners learn about Louise Palardy’s “Engineering and Empathy” class at Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Pontiac, where students are given a charge: To engineer solutions to make people like Gary’s lives easier.

(7:48) Palardy explains the purpose of the class, which is based on a program called “Project Invent,” to offer training, resources and experiences to support real-world learning in the classroom. Her class learned about Gary’s situation, and immediately wanted to help.

(9:17) Over Zoom, Palardy’s students met with Gary to discuss his life, needs and story — and then they got to work. Students in the class discuss what they learned from Gary, and how their product could help in his new situation.

(11:34) Gary discusses his difficulties with tasks he used to find easy — such as plugging in his cellphone at night, changing clothes, or simply holding a fork. It was these simple tasks that Palardy’s students wanted to solve for.

(13:36) Palardy describes the invention, a tool that could attach to the stump of Gary’s arm to hold items like a toothbrush, comb, pen or other household items. In addition to helping Gary, she says, the invention could be brought to a wider market with the help of investors.

(15:10) Students in the class reflect on the experience, appreciating listening to Gary’s story and having the opportunity to work with him and understand his story.

(16:33) Gary, reflecting on his own experience, “flips the script” by discussing how everyone — not just himself — has challenges, some visible and some invisible. When he drops his fork, he says, people offer to pick it up for him. But just like others help him, Gary wants to help them, too — and that’s where “lending a hand” really finds its meaning.

Reporting by Gabriella Patti; script by Casey McCorry; narration and production by Ron Pangborn

This podcast is brought to you by our friends at Ave Maria Mutual funds. Visit them at avemariafunds.com to learn more about responsible Catholic investing.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

How can sacred music evangelize? Can drums and chant coexist in the same Church? And what does it mean to have 'unity without uniformity'?

(0:38) Horst Buchholz, Ph.D., director of sacred music for the Archdiocese of Detroit, explains why St. Augustine’s famous saying, “He who sings prays twice,” is actually a misquote. The narrator introduces the topic: Why does sacred music matter?

(3:32) Buchholz discusses the psychology of music, including research that shows people choose their churches for one of two reasons: the quality of the music, and the quality of the preaching. The narrator introduces a survey of Archdiocese of Detroit parishioners revealing local Catholics’ preferences in sacred music.

(7:23) Buchholz discusses the Second Vatican Council’s approach to sacred music, including its tradition of inculturation as well as its insistence that the pipe organ, chant and the use of Latin are “specially suited to the Roman liturgy,” while allowing for “unity without uniformity.”

(8:26) Wassim Sarweh, organist and music director at Old St. Mary’s Parish in Greektown, talks about the other-worldly qualities of Gregorian chant, the Church’s ancient musical language. Sarweh talks about how chant is different from other types of sacred music, and even has the power to make converts.

(12:40) Listeners are introduced to Santiago Fernandez, music director of the Church of the Holy Family in Novi, one of the largest multicultural (Spanish and English) parishes in the archdiocese. Fernandez discusses how a truly bilingual approach to sacred music brings the parish together in a profound way.

(16:45) Keir Ward, music director for Sacred Heart Parish in Detroit, talks about the impact of Gospel music on the African-American community. A lifelong Catholic, Ward has worked to incorporate the Gospel style — traditionally a Protestant tradition — into the city’s Catholic worship experience.

(19:32) Ward discusses the deeply meaningful history of Gospel, which has its roots in Afro-spirituals sung by slaves, and what that history means for today’s music.

(22:06) We meet Josh Ross, music director at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy, where contemporary, upbeat Christian music is played during a 5 p.m. Sunday evening “young adult” Mass. Ross discusses what drew him to the contemporary style as a young man.

(23:47) Ross addresses the opinion held by some that guitars and drums have no place in the liturgy, insisting that his role as a music minister is to help people to pray.

(27:02) Susan Lindquist, director of the Cathedral Choir Academy of Detroit, talks about what Catholics can learn about music from children. The children she teaches don’t have a preferred style, Lindquist says, but love learning and singing all types. It’s important to foster a love of sacred music in children so they can grow up to take their “rightful place in the Church.”

(29:44) Ward concludes the podcast with a story about a woman who found her faith again despite personal struggles with the help of an old Gospel song, “God has smiled on me.”

Reporting, script and narration by Michael Stechschulte; production by Ron Pangborn.

This episode of Detroit Stories is brought to you by our friends at Alliance Catholic Credit Union. For over 60 years, Alliance Catholic Credit Union has provided Catholics in Michigan with trusted financial services inspired by Catholic values. When you join Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you become a member of a financial institution that supports Catholic education, Catholic Charities, and Catholic parishes around the state. Visit AllianceCatholic.com and join online today.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

People whose lives have been touched by adoption share their perspectives and the complexities of adoption – from the joys to the sorrows

(00:00) The narrator discusses the stereotypes and tropes that have been used to characterize stories of adoption and foster care in literature and pop culture. However, the realities of adoption and foster care are more complex than usually portrayed. The narrator explains that this episode will share a perspective on adoption not usually heard.

(2:23) The narrator introduces Kristie Hardin, director of child welfare for Catholic Charities of southeast Michigan, and Jennifer Anderson, program manager of child welfare.

(3:30) Listeners receive an overview of adoption and foster care statistics in the state of Michigan.

(3:40) Anderson details the rigorous adoption process.

(7:03) Anderson and Hardin describe how they help prepare parents to meet the needs of children facing emotional and psychological difficulties during the adoption and foster care process. The narrator explains what steps are taken to help children and adoptive parents adapt.

(8:12) Hardin talks about common misconceptions and fears about foster care that often prevent people from becoming foster parents or pursuing adoption.

(8:47) Discussion moves to the cost of adoption. Anderson explains how adopting a child in foster care is more affordable than private or international adoption.

(9:30) Hardin and Anderson explain that one of the biggest roadblocks they see preventing people from pursuing adoption through foster care is the fear that their child may face certain behavioral or medical issues. However, Anderson and Hardin explain that they are willing to move heaven and earth to help willing families prepare for foster care and adoption.

(10:55) In Part 2, the narrator introduces Holly Flickinger, who knew from childhood that she wanted to adopt one day. Before she and her husband, Tom, were married in 2013, the couple had already decided that adoption was something they wanted to pursue.

(12:00) After marrying, the Flickingers brought their son Gabriel home in 2015, finalizing his adoption in 2016. They brought their daughter home in January of 2021 and finalized her adoption in December 2021.

(12:47) Gabriel was adopted through the foster care system, the narrator explains. Holly shares how they have explained adoption to Gabriel from a very young age. They now do the same thing with their infant daughter, hoping to make adoption a normalized and positive part of their world.

(13:58) Holly explains how every adoption results in trauma, no matter the age of the child. She knows that someday her children will ask deep questions about their adoptions, but for now her goal is simply to make sure that they know that they are deeply, totally loved.

(15:40) Holly talks about how adoption can be a beautiful thing in a broken world.

(16:35) In Part 3, the narrator introduces Emy Deshotel, a 27-year-old freelance writer who was adopted as a child by a family member. Deshotel talks about her complicated view of her own difficult adoption and of adoption in general.

(17:29) Deshotel tells her adoption story: After complicated and traumatic early years, Deshotel was adopted by a family member and grew up feeling like an outsider in her adoptive family.

(20:51) Deshotel’s experience has fueled her writing and made her an advocate for those experiencing trauma from adoption. Today, Deshotel doesn’t have a relationship with her adoptive family and is focused on healing herself, in-part through her writing.

(22:54) At the start of Part 4, the listener hears from David Center, who along with his wife Esther, prayed for their children long before they were married. When they were unable to conceive children, they began to consider foster care and went through the long licensing process.

(24:26) The Centers eventually received placement of a medically fragile girl who was two months old. Through foster care, they were able to adopt her.

(25:00) After bringing their daughter home, Esther conceived their second daughter. Their older daughter is now six and their second daughter is five. David and Esther try to approach the nuances of adoption with sensitivity and at a pace that their daughter can understand.

(26:00) We hear from Esther about the challenges of having biological children and an adoptive, biracial child. Esther explains how they work to make sure that their daughter’s differentness doesn’t make her feel lesser or separate from the rest of the family.

(28:47) David and Esther offer advice similar to Deshotel’s for parents considering adoption: They explain that adoption is complicated and traumatic and parents need to be cognizant of how this experience will impact their adoptive child.

Reporting by Gabriella Patti; script and narration by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

This episode is sponsored by Alliance Catholic Credit Union.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.