Michael Murray is Regional Director of Gift & Estate Planning in the Office of Gift & Estate Planning at Hillsdale College.

Spotlight on Michael Murray

Lt. Col. Michael Murray’s interest in the military was rooted in his family heritage. No, military service was not a Murray family tradition. In fact, Michael’s father was an Irish immigrant. But preserving the freedoms that gave his father the opportunity to immigrate drove Michael to service in the armed forces.

Michael was accepted into the one-year Military Academy prep school but accepted admission to Albion College in Michigan instead, deferring his service. On the day of graduation, he accepted and signed a law contract with the Marine Corps and shipped out to Officers Candidate School (OCS) that summer. The week after graduating from OSC and accepting his commission as an officer, he left for law school, graduating three years later.

After another year of training, Michael moved to his first duty station in 29 Palms where he served as a judge advocate. Later he was relocated to University of Michigan to be a Marine Officer Instructor.

In 2001, then a Major, Michael switched to a reserves contract and activated several times in the following years. After deployment to Iraq in 2005, he returned to the reserves for three years as a judge advocate, then activated yet again in 2010 to work on the prosecution of four terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. Finishing the case, he returned to the reserves as an assistant to the counsel for the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Several years ago while Michael was working in the private sector, one of his business associates suggested that he apply for a position that had opened at nearby Hillsdale College. When he looked up the College, Michael noted, “I was inspired by the mission statement, the focus on something bigger than the individual.”

He remembered asking during his interview whether the College would be supportive of his reserve duty. They responded with a definitive yes, and shortly after, he found out that he was a finalist for the position. After another interview, the College offered him the job, and he readily accepted it.

Daniel joins Vanessa each month to look at important stories that have been featured on the Detroit Catholic website.

Daniel Meloy – News Reporter for the Detroit Catholic

We plan to look over these stories today:

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/catholic-thinkers-tech-leaders-tackle-deep-questions-about-ai-and-ministry

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/strangers-no-longer-offers-proposals-to-make-state-more-welcoming-place-to-immigrants

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/senior-health-class-becomes-a-soft-entry-point-for-evangelization-at-st-aloysius-parish

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/rising-from-the-ashes-revival-set-to-deliver-christs-message-to-a-world-in-need

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/building-sweet-dreams-sacred-heart-parish-on-grosse-ile-partners-with-sleep-in-heavenly-peace

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/pope-francis-center-redoubles-food-aid-as-demand-increases-suspends-clothing-service

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/eight-years-in-st-mary-ccs-inclusion-program-has-opened-doors-even-wider

https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/restoration-of-the-basilica-of-ste-anne-blessed-with-project-officially-under-way

In this compelling new book, Brian O’Neel tells the stories of martyrs associated with North America. Some are from other countries and died in their attempts to spread the faith on this continent. Some were born on this continent but died doing missionary work in other lands. Some were individual martyrs, and some were part of an heroic group. Some were “white martyrs” who, although they did not shed their blood for the faith, suffered much for the spread of their faith. The book includes: A lively presentation about each martyr (or group of martyrs), a practical application for the reader, a historical context for how these martyrs helped the Church to grow in North America. These martyrs changed the world by their courage and commitment, and their stories have the power to inspire us today to live our Catholic faith bravely and boldly.

Brian O’Neel is a writer, editor, and publicist living in Lansing, MI, with his wife. He has written three books, all from Servant Press, “39 New Saints You Should Know,” “Saint Who?” and “150 North American Martyrs You Should Know.”

Rising from the Ashes will take place at Huntington Place in Detroit on July 22, welcoming Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Detroit. The day will feature keynotes by Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, Sr. Josephine Gartrett, CSFN, Fr. John Riccardo and Jeff Cavins, along with an evening concert by Matt Maher & Sarah Kroger. A Eucharistic procession — potentially the largest in the archdiocese’s history — will process from Huntington Place to the Spirit of Detroit statue on Woodward Avenue, with a blessing over the city and the Church of Detroit from Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit.

Eucharistic revival to attract thousands of pilgrims to Detroit this summer (Detroit Catholic)

Official Website Here

Sarah Kroger is a Nashville-based, Catholic worship leader and songwriter who has released five albums: Your time (2011,) Hallelujah Is Our Song (2013,) Bloom (2019,) Light (2020,) and her latest live album, The London Sessions (2023.) She is part of the multi-cultural trio Village Lights as well as the female collective FAITHFUL, two enterprises that are a testament to her prolific creativity and talent.As a contemporary worship leader in the Catholic Church, Sarah Kroger gives a new language to people’s relationship with Jesus, inspiring her listeners to keep saying yes to vulnerability, intimacy, and honesty.

New from Gallup: People Worldwide More Satisfied With Their Freedom in Life — More than four in five adults globally are satisfied with freedom to choose what to do with their lives

“At REVIV3 we meet you where you are in your journey of life. Whether you are facing life’s challenges or desire to grow deeper into your spiritual journey, REVIV3 will guide you into a more fulfilling life with Christ. REVIV3 provides spiritual companionship to bring out one’s inner spiritual freedom to live the joyful life intended for you. REVIV3 provides virtual confidential conversations with a spiritual companion who has completed an approved program to help you explore every aspect of your life through the loving gaze of Christ.”

Professor Michael King holds 2 advanced degrees, a BS in psychoanalytic psychology and master degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He’s worked in ministry in several areas including Director of Parish Faith Formation and Evangelization and was Northeast Regional Coordinator of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He is a certified Master Catechist, has been a teacher/mentor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He is also Director of Parish Evangelization at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Grosse Pointe Woods.

I take a client-centered approach, allowing you to share your concerns at your own pace while I guide you with questions to help you. I use various therapeutic modalities, including Christian Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Processing Therapy, tailored to support your unique needs.

Aside from being a therapist, I’m also a mother to three wonderful children and have been married since 2010. I have had my own trials and tribulations and I understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the therapeutic process. My own journey has allowed me to better connect and understand humans on a deeper level.

Read more here!

As Catholics around the world reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, new survey data suggests many Catholics already share the Holy Father’s conviction that artificial intelligence should serve humanity rather than replace it.

Research conducted in March 2026 by ACS Technologies, a 45-year leader in church management software, market expertise, and data analysis, surveyed 1,500 Americans on topics such as honesty, friendship, faith, and artificial intelligence. Catholics represented 21 percent of respondents across multiple generations. Though the survey was completed before the publication of Magnifica Humanitas, its findings closely mirror several themes emphasized in the landmark document.

The survey was part of the groundbreaking research series American Beliefs Study: Religious Preferences and Practices, an ongoing research initiative examining Americans’ religious affiliations, beliefs, values, and practices.

Terry Poplava serves as General Manager of ACST Catholic. As a cradle Catholic, his faith was lukewarm until he was challenged by the intense challenge and commitment he heard in a message about stewardship. “What do I own, and what owns me?” which led him to executive roles at Our Sunday Visitor and Catholic Leadership Institute before his current focus on serving the Catholic Church at ACS Technologies. Terry has extensive experience working with churches across the U.S., supporting their planning, stewardship, and engagement efforts.