What's Happening

May 21, 2025, Detroit – The site where children once attended St. Matthew School in Detroit will now be home to another group of children and their families. 

Representatives of the City of Detroit, the Archdiocese of Detroit, Catholic Charities leaders, and civic leaders attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Residences at St. Matthew in early May. 

“It was a great gathering, manifesting the importance of people and organizations working together,” said Sister Nancyann Turner, OP. She ministered for more than 20 years at the Rosa Parks Children’s and Youth Program at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit.

“I was able to watch this project, along with projects in [four other cities] develop from ground-breaking to opening and move-in,” said Sister Donna Markham, OP, former President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). “It was a thrilling experience to see moms and children literally moving from the streets, or from living in their cars, into beautiful, fully-equipped, safe apartments. It was a great day in Detroit!”

Construction began in November 2023 for the apartment complex, slated to include at least 46 apartments, including 36 one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom apartments, and six studio units. Healthcare and other services will be provided to the residents through Catholic Charities of Southeastern Michigan, Henry Ford St. John Hospital, and other partners.

To qualify, households had to earn no more than 30 percent, 50 percent, or 60 percent of the median income for the Detroit area. 

Sister Donna noted that the project took shape with the assistance of Archbishop Allen Vigneron and his team, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, and Ascension Health. “St. Matthew’s parishioners and the pastor, Rev. Duane Novelly, were key to the success of the project,” she said. “Generously, the Capuchin Friars fully furnished and equipped over 20 apartments, down to the fully stocked kitchens and bedding.”

Seven years ago, CCUSA began the pilot of the Healthy Housing Initiative with five dioceses across the country. Detroit was one of the cities that Sister Donna and her team chose, along with Las Vegas; Portland, Oregon; St. Louis; and Spokane.

“Many groups and individuals worked together to make this happen,” Sister Nancyann said. “It took tremendous work and cooperation among the many participants in this endeavor – including national and local Catholic Charities agencies, Mayor Michael Duggan and his many Detroit offices of housing, Henry Ford Medical Services, the Archdiocese of Detroit, construction companies, finance companies, and of course the people and pastor of St. Matthew’s Parish.”

Sister Donna noted that three requirements for participation in the CCUSA pilot program were “a bishop who was willing to make available underutilized church property, a Catholic Charities agency with a director who could lead housing development, and a Catholic health system that would assist with medical support services.”

The Healthy Housing Initiative “was one of the many beautiful things I was involved in during my nine-year tenure as president of CCUSA,” Sister Donna said. She encouraged anybody who has the opportunity to stop by and see Residences at St. Matthew. “It is well worth witnessing this little miracle in Detroit,” she said.

Read more about Residences at St. Matthew in this Detroit Catholic article by Daniel Meloy.
 

Caption for above feature photo: Sister Donna Markham, OP, back left, watches as, from left, Paul Propson, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan; Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda; and Msgr. Charles Kosanke, Chairman of the Board of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan cut the ribbon for the new Residences at St. Matthew. 
Photo by Valaurian Waller, Courtesy of The Detroit Catholic

May 7, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – For the second year in a row, Joanne Wood, Spanish teacher at Lenawee Christian School in Adrian, brought her service group of eight seniors to the Dominican Life Center (DLC) at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Campus for the school’s annual day of service. Spending the day with the Sisters were Keira Naegele, Brielle Parker, Madison Pillar, Laina Reitz, Ila Stewart, Tory Swiggum, Ava TenCate, and Emilia Yatzek. 

The students comprise one of three groups of seniors who provided service on April 28, 2025. The other groups served at different sites.

Sandy Place, RN, DLC Administrator, explained that the students spent a full day at the DLC, beginning with a blessing of the hands created by the Spiritual and Social Care Services Department. Chaplain Bryan Gregory read the blessing, while Chaplain Pamela Przybylski blessed the hands of the students and others in attendance.

During the day, the students worked with Sisters to plant flowers in pots at the entrance of the Regina residence or planted perennials in the permaculture section; paused for a pizza lunch; bussed tables in the dining room after the Sisters’ lunch; spent time speaking with the Sisters; and created cards to be distributed to Sisters who seldom have visitors.

The day brought joy to the students as well as the Sisters.

“I like helping people,” said Keira, who hopes to study music education at Michigan State University and serve as a band director. “I’m happy to take the opportunity to do what needs to be done and show God’s love for others.”

Emilia, granddaughter of Sandy, said she had come to the DLC last year for service day and enjoyed it. “We’re just happy to come back,” she said. She was impressed by meeting one of the Sisters who ministered in a variety of ways over the years, including teaching. Emilia herself plans to attend Adrian College to study Elementary Education.

“I like talking with the Sisters and listening to them and their life stories and how they help people,” said Ila, who plans to study interior design.   

Both Joanne and Sandy also appreciated the day and the blessings it brought to everyone involved.

Joanne said the students in her group have been working together in service for four years. “We meet on a monthly basis,” she explained. “We’re looking for an opportunity to help others, putting hands and feet at the service of others. When you come to serve, you are also blessed.”

“This is the second year in a row that Joanne Wood’s service class has come to the DLC to provide service to our campus, and we have both received blessings from their visit,” Sandy said. “I am hoping this becomes an annual event.”
 

Caption for above feature photo: Participating in the day of service are, from left, Sandy Place, Administrator of the Dominican Life Center; students Emilia Yatzek, Ila Stewart, Tory Swiggum, and Brielle Parker; Spanish teacher Joanne Wood; and students Keira Naegele, Ava TenCate, Laina Reitz, and Mady Pillar.