News – St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church

Meet our Confirmandi

judith — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 16:38:54 +0000

Created by Osain Ibañez-Desaida with assistance from Miss Haylene Velazquez-Alberto

As the sacramental year is coming to an end for our class of 2024-2025, I asked my classmates what the Sacrament of Confirmation meant for them and I also share what it means to me. Here are our responses:

I’m Osain Ibanez-Desaida; I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s class preparing to receive Confirmation. During my free time I like to listen to music that helps me concentrate and motivates me to do things I like. I also like to watch TV during my time, watch YouTube, or shows. I also like to play with my friends after school and play online games. To me being Confirmed means accepting faith in Jesus and receiving one of the gifts from the Holy Spirit. For my saint I chose, Saint Adrian of Canterbury because he spread Christianity throughout the world and also taught future sabots and priests during the 7^th century.

I’m Jasmine Rachoza and I am a student in Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s class getting ready for Confirmation. I like to cook, go to the gym, do nails, and watch movies and many other things. Being confirmed to me is being apart of the Catholic faith and being united with Jesus Christ. The saint I chose for Confirmation is St. Maria Goretti, because she had so much love and forgiveness for people in her heart and also because she forgave the person who hurt her most.

My name is Luis Angel Velasquez Alberto; I am a student of Fr Zbigniew Grankowski’s class preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Some things I like to do during my free time are to play outside, watch comedy movies, go out and make new friends, play video games, listen to music I like, eat and study. To me being Confirmed means that I will be closer to Jesus Christ and reunited with Jesus Christ. The Saint I chose is Saint Anthony because he is not just a saint for lost things, but a saint who teaches us how to love and forgive ourselves and others. Some gifts I will receive during Confirmation are knowledge, like for when I study, and also because it is very important for the whole class.

I’m Brandon Figueroa; I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s preparing to receive Confirmation. Some things I like to do in my free time are go to the gym and workout, play video games, and eat a lot. Being Confirmed to me means getting saved by God many times. For my saint I chose, St. John Mary Vianney because he is not scared of the devil.

My name is Guadalupe Sanchez; I am student in Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s class getting ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Things I like to do in my free time are draw, play basketball outside and read books. Being confirmed to me means being able to follow God’s steps and live a happy life. The saint I chose is Saint Augustine, because in the future I want to study philosophy and he was also a philosopher. The gifts I’ll receive from Confirmation are: wisdom, understanding, and fear of the Lord.

I’m Alexis Cardoso; I am a student in Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s class preparing to receive Confirmation. What I like to do in my free time is play video games. To me being Confirmed means to grow in a closer relationship to Jesus Christ. For my saint I chose Moses because he told the king of Egypt
to free the slaves and if he didn’t something bad would happen.

I’m Jade Ibañez-Desaida and I’m in Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s class for Confirmation. During my free time I like to listen to music, go to school, hang out with my friends, sleep and eat. To me, being confirmed means that the Holy Spirit strengthens my faith in Jesus Christ and receiving the gifts the Holy Spirit has to offer. For my saint I chose St. Kateri Tekakwitha because despite the challenges she had and faced, she had faith in God and overcame them.

My name is Anthony Garcia and I am a student in Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski’s class. During my free time I like to sleep, eat, play video games and watch TV. Confirmation to me feels like I’m going to graduate school. It makes me very proud and I’m very happy to get Confirmed. The saint I chose was Saint Anthony and the reason why I chose him was because of his powerful preaching. The gift I want to receive from confirmation is knowledge.

I’m Justin de la Torre and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniews Grankowski, preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I like to go outside and play. To me being confirmed means something good. The saint I chose is St. Padre Pio, because in his time he helped save the lives of many people. The gift I receive during confirmation is God.

My name is Vanessa Hinojosa and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski and I am preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Some things I like to do during my free time is go hangout with friends, draw, watch movies or shows. To me being confirmed means to strengthen my commitment with Jesus Christ. For my saint I chose Saint Bernadette because she always had faith in God when she was struggling with something.

My name is Cynthia Hinojosa and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Some things I like to do during my free time are play volleyball and other things. To me being confirmed means that I receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have faith in God. I chose Saint Cecilia because she is the patron saint of music.

I am Camila Fleites and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski preparing to receive Confirmation. Some things I like to do are spend time with my family or sometimes spend some time alone by myself. To me being confirmed means to be in a closer relationship with God. For my saint I chose Saint Barbara because she was confined to a tower by her father to protect her from unwanted suitors, secretly converted to Christianity and refused to renounce her faith, even in the face of torture and death. During Confirmation I receive the strengthening of my faith in the church and faith in Christ our Lord.

I am Norma Vargas and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski preparing myself to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. During my free time I like to go to the gym and work out. It helps me release stress and helps set a physical goal. To me being confirmed means I am completing and strengthening the grace received at Baptism. For my saint I chose St. Monica because she was a mother and a wife at a young age.

I am Martin Hinojosa and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Some things I like to do is just sit down and listen to my music. To me being confirmed means a symbol of faith in God. For my saint I chose Saint Paul because his writings influenced many people and he is known for his pro-life beliefs and large amount of writings.

My name is Theresa Hinojosa and I am a student of Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. During my free time I like to read books and do puzzles/soduko. To me being confirmed means that I am accepting Jesus Christ and he is accepting me. I feel I am mature enough to be confirmed. For my saint I chose St. Theresa of Avila who was a nun during the 1500s in Spain. Theresa wrote “Spiritual Classics” which to me seems the most convincing that she was very religious. Being the doctor of the church is very heartwarming to me.

Archbishop Weisenburger’s Mass

judith — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 17:24:40 +0000

Archbishop Weisenburger’s installation Mass to be full of symbolism, meaning

Rites, music and representation at March 18 Mass will reflect Church’s understanding of the deep significance of episcopal changes

DETROIT — The installation of a new archbishop is a celebration unlike any other for an archdiocese.

On March 18, starting at 2 p.m., Archbishop-designate Edward J. Weisenburger will be formally installed as the 10th ordinary and sixth archbishop of Detroit at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

In a liturgy rich with symbolism and tradition, ceremony and prayer, the Church of the Archdiocese of Detroit will formally receive Archbishop Weisenburger, who will thereafter become the new chief shepherd for southeast Michigan’s 900,000 Catholics.

Because Archbishop-designate Weisenburger is already a bishop — he’s served as bishop of Tucson, Arizona, since 2017, and of Salina, Kansas, from 2012-17 — he won’t be “ordained,” but installed in his new episcopal see.

That will happen when Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal ambassador to the United States, formally proclaims the apostolic decree signed by Pope Francis, and Archbishop Weisenburger takes his seat for the first time on his cathedra (the bishop’s chair).

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Welcome Archbishop-elect!

judith — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 18:35:54 +0000

Pope Francis Appoints Tucson’s Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger as Archbishop of Detroit

Holy Father names Bishop Weisenburger the sixth Archbishop of Detroit, accepts resignation of Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger, currently Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, as the sixth Archbishop of Detroit. The archbishop-elect succeeds Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who has served the archdiocese since 2009.

The new archbishop will be installed at a ceremony at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament at 2:00 p.m. on March 18. On March 17 at 5:30 p.m., Archbishop-designate Weisenburger will lead Vespers (evening prayer) at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Additional details about the installation liturgy will be shared in the coming days. Following his installation, Archbishop Weisenburger will begin his assignment as chief shepherd of Michigan’s largest Catholic diocese, comprising more than 900,000 Catholics and 213 parishes.

As required by Church law, Archbishop Vigneron submitted his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 75 on October 21, 2023. Pope Francis has named him to serve as apostolic administrator of Detroit until Archbishop-elect Weisenburger’s installation. Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate a farewell Mass on Sunday, March 9, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

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The 7 Sacraments are meant to bring us closer Jesus

judith — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 19:56:27 +0000

Faith Formation

This is an invitation to anyone who is missing any Sacrament- Baptism, First communion, and yes, the Sacrament of Marriage to please consider becoming fully united to Christ and His Church through the reception of all the Sacraments we are able to receive.

The seven Sacraments were given to us by Jesus himself to bring us closer to Him and fill us with His grace.

Classes will begin in the fall of 2025.

‘Pray, hope, don’t worry’: Faithful heed St. Padre Pio’s words during relic visit

Editor — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:45:27 +0000

People venerate the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, a Capuchin saint from Italy known for having the stigmata and being a mystic, at St. Barbara Parish in Dearborn on Nov. 17. The relics were on a tour organized by the Saint Pio Foundation, with other stops in the area including St. Joseph Parish in Erie and St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Roseville. (Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic)

Thousands venerate first- and second-class relics of famed Capuchin friar who spoke to Christ during three-stop tour in Detroit area

DEARBORN — Mario Gonzalez had a very specific prayer intention as he venerated the relics of St. Padre Pio at St. Barbara Parish in Dearborn on Nov. 18.

He was holding his son, Damien, who was six weeks removed from open-heart surgery.

So when Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski of St. Barbara Parish processed through the church with the relic, Gonzalez held his son up close to the relic, praying for healing, as countless pilgrims have done when near the bones of the famed 20th century Italian priest.

“Six weeks ago he had the surgery,” Gonzalez told Detroit Catholic. “He was in ICU for two weeks, and then two more weeks in the hospital, so a total of a month. He just came home three weeks ago and is doing well, thanks be to God. We pray to Padre Pio, St. Charbel (a Lebanese saint popular at the Dearborn parish) and we believe we have a miracle right here.”

Thousands of pilgrims just like Gonzalez took the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Padre Pio as part of a tour organized by the Saint Pio Foundation, a New York-based apostolate dedicated to spreading devotion to St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), an Italian Capuchin friar and priest who is known for healing and for bearing the stigmata, or the wounds of Christ, on his hands.

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Relics of St. Pio of Pieltrelcina coming to St. Barbara

judith — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 00:47:17 +0000

On Friday, November 17, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. we will be hosting five relics of our beloved St. Pio, fondly known as Padre Pio! At 5:30 p.m. there will be a pause in veneration to prepare for the 6:00 p.m. Holy Mass in honor of St. Pio. We are honored to welcome as a special guest to this Holy Mass, Maestro Luciano Lamonarco, founder of the St. Pio Foundation and world renowned as the “Goodwill Tenor!” When you arrive in church you will be greeted by our wonderful volunteers who will be passing out petition cards. These prayer petition cards are for you to fill out and place in the baskets at the Communion Rail after you have venerated the relics. These baskets with prayer petitions will be placed at the altar and will be prayed for at the 6:00 p.m. Mass. We encourage you to stay in church and pray a while after you have venerated the relics. We also encourage everyone to attend the Mass and venerate the relics after the Mass if you did not have a chance beforehand.

Parking is available in the city lot behind O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on Schaefer off of Colson. Many, many thanks to the Knights of Columbus under the direction of Mr. Rob Ciavaglia, and to Chief Issa and the members of the Dearborn Police Department who have been so helpful in planning a safe visit for everyone!

At the front entry there will also be items for sale from the St. Pio Foundation. This is a major source of funding for them so please be generous!

At the relics please keep in mind the following guidelines: You are welcome to touch the relics with devotional items/pictures, rosaries. Do not pick up the relics or kiss the relics please! Finally, you can take pictures anywhere in church EXCEPT AT THE POINT OF VENERATION OF THE RELICS. This is primarily so that the line keeps moving and everyone has an opportunity to pray at the relics.

We hope to see you there! If you have any questions feel free to give us a call at 313-582-8383.

Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry