A century ago a young priest, Father Joseph Zalibera, left behind his family, his friends, his country, all that was familiar to him, all that he could truly call "Home." He left that behind and journeyed to a strange, new land, choosing to live among a people who spoke a strange and unfamiliar language.
In 1922 he became pastor of four-year-old SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish on Detroit's East Side.
He chose to embrace that ending, leaving so much of his very self behind.
And by chosing to accept that ending, through him God was able to bring about the beginning of what would become then a vibrant, flourishing Slovak Catholic community in Southeastern Michigan.
God is, indeed, a God of beginnings when we are willing to face those necessary endings.
Little over a year after assuming the position as pastor, Fr. Zalibera invited a handful of Dominican Sisters, mostly with roots in Slovakia, to join him in Detroit. Together they would welcome newly arriving immigrants as well as those whose roots were in Slovakia but who had first joined the ranks, mostly of coalminers, in Pennsylvania. This group was now gravitating to Detroit as the emerging Motor City capitol of the world and jobs were plentiful.
The sisters could provide staffing and education for their children, providing them with the needed skills and tools to adjust to life in this land and more importantly, providing these children with the foundation of faith.
The sisters heard the call. They put behind all that was familiar to them. The brought an end to what they had and ventured into this beckoning unknown.
And again an ending led to a beginning from which for years children were provided with skills and tools to adapt, adjust, enter into and even flourish through their lives.
The Slovak Dominican community was established and grew and strengthened in Southeast Michigan, ministering in a number of parishes.
From a motherhouse in Warren the community grew into a motherhouse in Waterford and eventually the motherhouse in Oxford.
On this campus for a time there emerged educational programs, even a small college, conference and retreat opportunities. The Waterford site likewise blossomed with a variety of living centers, responding to various aging situations.
But the years passed and times changed and different pastoral needs emerged.
And a reality had to be faced.
The Oxford Dominicans were diminishing in numbers, disappearing.
And so still another ending.
Ten years ago the Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima was fused with a growing, larger movement and ministry.
The Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima ended.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace emerged.
A new ending and still another beginning.
And the call to build a ministry of peace responds to a great need in our time.
In this time of increasing violence, unending wars and the harsh voices of hate, teachers, preachers, builders of peace are so needed.
Endings that call upon God to begin!
And now we come to still another ending.
It is time to close the doors on this Dominican House.
It is time to let go of this place.
It is time to end and invite God: Give to us still another beginning!"
Next - The Closing Homily: The Mystery of Beginnings
In 1922 he became pastor of four-year-old SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish on Detroit's East Side.
He chose to embrace that ending, leaving so much of his very self behind.
And by chosing to accept that ending, through him God was able to bring about the beginning of what would become then a vibrant, flourishing Slovak Catholic community in Southeastern Michigan.
God is, indeed, a God of beginnings when we are willing to face those necessary endings.
Little over a year after assuming the position as pastor, Fr. Zalibera invited a handful of Dominican Sisters, mostly with roots in Slovakia, to join him in Detroit. Together they would welcome newly arriving immigrants as well as those whose roots were in Slovakia but who had first joined the ranks, mostly of coalminers, in Pennsylvania. This group was now gravitating to Detroit as the emerging Motor City capitol of the world and jobs were plentiful.
The sisters could provide staffing and education for their children, providing them with the needed skills and tools to adjust to life in this land and more importantly, providing these children with the foundation of faith.
The sisters heard the call. They put behind all that was familiar to them. The brought an end to what they had and ventured into this beckoning unknown.
And again an ending led to a beginning from which for years children were provided with skills and tools to adapt, adjust, enter into and even flourish through their lives.
The Slovak Dominican community was established and grew and strengthened in Southeast Michigan, ministering in a number of parishes.
From a motherhouse in Warren the community grew into a motherhouse in Waterford and eventually the motherhouse in Oxford.
On this campus for a time there emerged educational programs, even a small college, conference and retreat opportunities. The Waterford site likewise blossomed with a variety of living centers, responding to various aging situations.
But the years passed and times changed and different pastoral needs emerged.
And a reality had to be faced.
The Oxford Dominicans were diminishing in numbers, disappearing.
And so still another ending.
Ten years ago the Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima was fused with a growing, larger movement and ministry.
The Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima ended.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace emerged.
A new ending and still another beginning.
And the call to build a ministry of peace responds to a great need in our time.
In this time of increasing violence, unending wars and the harsh voices of hate, teachers, preachers, builders of peace are so needed.
Endings that call upon God to begin!
And now we come to still another ending.
It is time to close the doors on this Dominican House.
It is time to let go of this place.
It is time to end and invite God: Give to us still another beginning!"
Next - The Closing Homily: The Mystery of Beginnings
I am thoroughly enjoying this. Your homilies are always the best, through our travels and various moves...we have seldom had the wonderful experience of homilies like these. Bless you Fr. Ron...always in our heart.
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