Fr. Brian Cokonougher was born in Warren and attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit for his priestly formation. He later earned a certificate in spiritual direction from the Institute for Priestly Formation. Fr. Cokonougher was ordained May 22, 1999, by Cardinal Adam J. Maida at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

In 2022, Fr. Cokonougher was named a member of the in solidum team of priests pastoring the Paint Creek 1 Family of Parishes, with primary responsibility for St. Andrew Parish in Rochester, where he continues to serve.

“In the Beginning by Monica Miller takes you through a unique reading of the first three chapters of Genesis, unfolding the richness of the divinely revealed creation story and what it has to say about God, the world, and the destiny of mankind.

Those first three chapters of Genesis aren’t a literal play-by-play of how the universe came to be; neither are they mere mythical poetry or a purely symbolic re-imagining of scientific events beyond the comprehension of “primitive” peoples. Rather, as Miller shows, they are the revelation of cosmic truths that obliterate the prevailing pagan mindset. From the first ray of light to the aftermath of the Fall, God is telling the world that things will be different now.”

PLUS: Seventeen Pro-Life Activists Arrested in Peaceful Civil Disobedience at Memphis Planned Parenthood

Monica Miller, Ph.D., is the Director of Citizens for a Pro-life Society. She holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Southern Illinois University and graduate degrees in Theology from Loyola University and Marquette University. She is the author of several books including The Theology of the Passion of the Christ (Alba House), The Authority of Women in the Catholic Church (Emmaus Road) and Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Abortion Wars (St. Benedict Press).

John Paul Brissette is the Director of Communications at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the first and only approved Marian Apparition site in the United States. At just 23 years old, John Paul brings a wealth of experience and a passion for evangelization through digital media. Before discerning to use his talents for God’s glory, John Paul was a successful social media influencer, traveling across the country and amassing over 4 million followers. Over the past five years, he’s created videos and campaigns with major Catholic organizations such as the Dominican Order, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Aleteia, helping them earn hundreds of millions of views across various platforms. John Paul also developed a course on Faith and Marketing at Providence College, that will be offered next spring.

Cecilia Stevenson talks about the great new film about St. Kolbe, “Triumph of the Heart.” After it’s run in theaters, it is now available to watch at home on the FORMED and CREDO apps!

Cecilia Stevenson is a film producer with a background in live media, narrative film and television, and corporate video production. She has a passion for stories that explore faith, purpose and sacrifice, and she specializes in producing faith-based and mission-oriented projects. After graduation from Texas A&M University, she pursued a career in video production. However, she eventually found herself falling in love with the world of narrative filmmaking and has worked on large production sets, including those of “The Chosen” and “Washington’s Armor.” In 2016, she met Anthony D’Ambrosio (writer/director of “Triumph of the Heart”), and the duo quickly discovered the complementarity of their strengths and shared values to produce faith-based films. Cecilia enjoys downhill mountain biking, creating spreadsheets and playing board games. She is a devoted Catholic who calls producing “Triumph of the Heart” the most challenging — and most meaningful — experience of her life.

Sunday, December 14, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

Christkindlmarkt (“Christ Child Market”) is a traditional German festival held before Christmas to help prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. The outdoor artisan market held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Ann Arbor will also include food and drinks for purchase, Lessons & Carols, an Our Lady of Guadalupe dance performance, and an array of fun activities for all ages. See you there!

* 1:00 p.m. — Market opens on the plaza

* 3:00 p.m. — Festival of Lessons & Carols in the church

* 4:30 p.m. — Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration begins in the hall

* 4:45 & 5:00 p.m. — Tours of our historic church

* 5:15 p.m. — Dramatic presentation of the Our Lady of Guadalupe apparitions in the hall

* 6:00 p.m. — Market closes

Michael Stechschulte is the editor-in-chief of Detroit Catholic, the official online news service of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit.

Cardinal Pizzaballa to visit Detroit from Dec. 4-7 to raise support for Holy Land

Archdiocese of Detroit announces two-year restructuring to involve every parish

Detroit parishioners go door to door to offer prayer, invite neighbors to church

Pro-lifers march on: Thousands gather at state capital for Michigan March for Life

Parish, cemetery lay 22 cremated remains to rest as part of ‘Gather Them Home’

Detroit-area young people inspired after dialogue with Pope Leo in Indianapolis

The Holy Family serves as the pattern and model for marriage and family, demonstrating what these are, as well as the correct understanding of masculinity and fatherhood, femininity and motherhood, babies and children. God knew the great confusion and diabolical social messiness that would occur in modern times. Now is the time to be consecrated to the Holy Family! Click here to purchase!

Scott L. Smith Jr. is a Louisiana author, attorney, and father of six children. With Fr. Donald Calloway, he is the co-author of the Consecration to St. Joseph for Children & Families. His other books include The Catholic ManBook, The Lord of the Rings and the Eucharist, Near-Death Experiences, and Pray the Rosary with Saint John Paul II. Scott regularly contributes to his Catholic blog and www.thescottsmithblog.com.

In August 2024, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, Gianna’s House, and Options Care Center sued in federal court to protect their First Amendment right to tell women about the life-saving potential of supplemental progesterone. A federal district court ruled in their favor, halting the attorney general from violating their constitutional right to freedom of speech while the case proceeded.

Anne’s group, NIFLA is celebrating this important decision, with their President Thomas Glessner saying: “We are thrilled with the ruling in our favor as it recognizes that pregnancy resource centers in NY are now free to help women who regret taking the abortion pill and want a chance at saving the lives of their babies. Abortion pill reversal, like the court said, offers no financial gains for pregnancy centers. They are simply giving women another option than ending the life of their unborn babies. Speech isn’t unconstitutional simply because the other side disagrees with it. We are very happy with the ruling today.”

Anne O’Connor has been with the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) since 1993. She served as NIFLA’s General Counsel until she joined the staff full-time as the Vice President of Legal Affairs in April 2013. She has also been published by or featured on media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Washington Examiner, CBN News and more.

Click here for more information about the event.

Rev. Rennie Kaufmann and Esther Kaufmann, Father and Daughter, perform all styles of music worldwide. Rev. Kaufmann is the pastor serving at Risen Christ in Plymouth, Michigan.

Pastor Rennie and Esther keep audiences spellbound with their lovely musical arrangements, perfectly blended duets and Esther’s incredibly beautiful solos which will uplift the hearts and souls of the audience.