Author, chef, podcaster, TV show host and priest Fr. Leo Patalinghug will inspire people to savor time with family and share faith while nourishing their souls at the two-day parish mission at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 and 20 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak. The topics will be different each night, and freewill offerings will support Plating Grace.

The Adult Faith Formation team at Shrine is offering this free event with Fr. Leo, a priest from Baltimore known for connecting food and faith with his award-winning cooking, best-selling books, and unique style of speaking with practical wisdom for growing strong families and parishes around the table.

He is the founder of Plating Grace, an international food and faith movement whose mission is to build relationships and strengthen families and communities by using the power of food. Plating Grace reaches thousands of people around the world, feeding body, mind, and soul.

Fr. Leo Patalinghug is a priest member of a community of consecrated life, Voluntas Dei (The Will of God). His diverse background as an award-winning chef, radio and TV host, gives him a unique perspective on ministry and family life. He is an author, speaker and pilgrimage leader. He has his own youtube show, The Fr. Leo Show, and endeavours such as Plating Grace.

“Michelle was a missionary to the core. As a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) alumna, she helped plant the movement at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, forming friendships, inviting students to weekday Mass, and quietly building a Eucharist-centered culture that stirred hearts. Even in Rome, she sowed seeds of conversion that later blossomed back home. This is evangelization as Michelle lived it: personal, joyful, and relentlessly centered on Jesus Christ.””Then came her final mission. In the words of her spiritual director, Msgr. Thomas Richter, she entered into a ‘twelve-month Holy Week’ — a year in which illness and suffering did not interrupt her evangelization but instead fulfilled it. United to Christ, her cross became a channel of grace for others. Caregivers who did not share her Faith were moved by her peace. Friends who came to console her left consoled. “We could see in her another Christ.” Patti talks about all this in her new book.

Patti Armstrong is an award-winning journalist and was managing editor and co-author of the bestselling Amazing Grace Series. Her latest books are the humorous and inspirational second-edition Dear God, I Don’t Get It, Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious!, What Would Monica Do? and Holy Hacks. Patti worked in social work and public administration before staying home as a freelance writer.

We are honored to welcome Ellen Salter, a lifelong Catholic, devoted wife, and mother of four, whose faith journey has been profoundly shaped by God’s call to raise her daughter Meghan, a child with extraordinary needs. Ellen’s courageous “yes” to Christ has brought forth a story of love, holiness, and even miracles that have touched hearts across the world. Meghan, now 23, continues to radiate joy and comfort to her family and beyond. Her life has been so impactful that EWTN produced an Emmy Award–winning documentary about her journey. This is a testimony you won’t want to miss. Come and be uplifted by Ellen’s witness to the power of faith, family, and God’s grace. All are welcome!

Click here for St. Michael’s website.

Other resources include Meghan’s Miracles and Sacred Life Ministry.

Fr. Andrew Smith grew up in Mt. Clemens and originally pursued a career in teaching, but felt a calling to the priesthood in 2016 during Adoration. He attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary and was ordained in May 2023. Since ordination, Fr. Andrew has served primarily at St. Paul on the Lake as Associate Pastor, but also other parishes in the Grosse Pointe area including St. Ambrose, St. Clare of Montefalco and St. Matthew.

Richard Rice is Adult Faith Formation Chair at St. Michael’s in Livonia. He speaks with Vanessa about the upcoming installment of their “Hard Questions” series with Fr. Laboe talking about human dignity and Catholic social teaching.

Click here for more information about the event and its background.

Fr. Timothy Laboe, another highly-qualified member of the SHMS staff, will explain how to apply the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching to such often controversial subjects as illegal immigration, components of a fair wage, and income distribution, charity and re-distribution. The Church teaches that every human life is sacred and deserves to be treated with dignity. The thornier question becomes what constitutes “dignity” and few social issues are simply black-and-white. According to Fr. LeBoe, looking at an issue through the lens of Catholic social teaching usually requires sincere investigation on a case-by-case basis.

“Cardinal Sarah’s meditations on the liturgy—as the Second Vatican Council imagined it—offers a spiritual and practical roadmap to authentic renewal, including at the parish level. Read with an open heart, The Song of the Lamb will make readers fall more deeply in love with the Mass and with the Divine Office, and it will fan the flames of the liturgical renewal that Christians across the world have so long desired.”

Peter Carter is the Director of the Catholic Sacred Music Project, which is devoted to forming emerging leaders for the renewal of sacred music. He also serves as the director of sacred music for both the Aquinas Institute of Princeton University and St. John the Baptist Church in Allentown, New Jersey.

The Detroit Cristo Rey High School Board of Directors is pleased to announce that William R. McGrail has been appointed as President of Detroit Cristo Rey High School, effective January 5, 2026. Read more here.

McGrail was selected following an extensive national search. Board President, Joaquin Nuno-Whelan, shared, “McGrail brings a strong background in strategic leadership, operational management, fundraising, and people development. Equally compelling is his deep passion as a champion for youth and commitment to educational opportunity.”

The President role will be externally focused, with responsibility for community engagement, strategic planning, organizational development, fundraising, and long-term financial sustainability.

William McGrail led fundraising and community partnership efforts at Loyola High School in Detroit, where he also expanded work-study and corporate work experience partnerships. He spearheaded the successful visioning, development, and execution of the $9 million Empower Loyola capital campaign, significantly strengthening the school’s long-term sustainability.

Dr. Kevin Clarke is the Dean of the Institute for Lay Ministry and Associate Professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. His research, which intersects with various theological and exegetical themes, has primarily focused upon Biblical interpretation in early Christianity, especially the Church Fathers’ spiritual exegesis of the Old Testament and readings that harmonize both Old and New, more specifically St. Maximus the Confessor and his interpretation of Scripture in the 7th century.

“The Archdiocese of Detroit is embarking upon a two-year process of restructuring that will involve every Catholic parish in southeast Michigan, with the goal of thoughtfully aligning parishes, clergy and communities to flourish for generations to come, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger announced in a message to the faithful read during Masses the weekend of Nov. 15-16.” Fr. Amore is closely involved in this important historic endeavor. He joins us today.

Fr. Mario Amore is the executive director of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Department of Parish Renewal. He’s working very closely with Archbishop Weisenburger on this effort.

The UCFS-CALC provides comprehensive programs and services designed to empower individuals and families, including food assistance, workforce training, and community support.

Melanie Ann Duquesnel is the new president/CEO of United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies of Charity.

Founded in 1961 by 20 refugee and immigrant women, the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) began with a mission to help families rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Over the decades, CALC has grown from an all-volunteer agency into a robust organization providing wrap-around services through dedicated staff, Board members, and volunteers. In 2016, the organization expanded its name to United Community Family Services (UCFS) to reflect its broader mission of supporting families and communities across Southeast Michigan. Today, UCFS-CALC operates from its own facility, home to administrative offices, training space, and The Sharehouse, a large Basic Needs Center and Food Pantry.

Duquesnel brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep passion for community empowerment to her new role. She previously served as President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan, where she led a skilled team in advancing marketplace trust, business ethics, and consumer protection. Under her leadership, the BBB strengthened opportunities for accredited businesses while serving as a neutral third party in dispute resolution, fostering accountability and trust across the region.