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ALLEN PARK, Mich. — St. Stephen Parish welcomed Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, for a pastoral visit Nov. 25.
Parishioners Donald and Theresa Butella greeted the bishop with the traditional bread and salt upon his arrival.
After his entrance into the church, the parish prayed the First Hour followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Bishop Lach celebrated the liturgy and Father John Russell, the parish administrator, concelebrated. Deacon Lawrence Hendricks assisted. Seminarian Michael Kunitz and parishioners Nicholas Zawaski, Nick Woods, Kevin Perrotta, David Howard, Luke Pavlich and John Pavlich were the altar servers.
During his homily, Bishop Lach spoke about Jesus as a liberator who came to free not only the people of his own time but also current-day people from their own idols.
He spoke of people’s need for healing and the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation, especially during the Philip’s Fast, in preparation for Christmas.
After liturgy, the bishop joined the parishioners and their guests for a lunch in the parish hall. During the meal, Bishop Lach circulated the room and visited with parishioners.
Caption: Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma speaks with the parishioners of St. Stephen Parish in Allen Park, Michigan, at the end of Divine Liturgy Nov. 25. The parish administrator, Father John Russell, stands to the right. Parishioner and seminarian Michael Kunitz stands at the far left with a book in hand. (Photo: Henry Zukow)
As published in Horizons, Dec. 23, 2018.
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