Chelsea – Three recent additions to the Servants of Charity team of priests in Michigan have made a fast rise through the ranks of the Knights of Columbus organization. On Wednesday, April 19th, Fr. Amalorpavanathan Rayapillai, Fr. Franklin Michaelirudayanathan, and Fr. Leo Joseph Xavier all completed their “Journey to Knighthood” by joining the patriotic 4th Degree of the Knights at a special ceremony held for priests and religious in Portland, MI. Each priest was excited to join the Knights, and hope that one day they can bring this type of lay enthusiasm to their home country of India.
Chelsea – Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Michigan Center has become very supportive of St. Louis Center in recent years, and their Knights of Columbus Council has been actively seeking opportunities to interact and do things for the residents. This summer, Grand Knight Bill Roller proposed another barbeque for our residents, and on a […]
Chelsea – Saturday, March 5th was a special day for twenty-three members of the Cardinal O’Hara Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, as they chose St. Louis Center as the location of their Third Annual Spiritual Retreat. The Retreat lasted a half-day, and was directed by Fr. Joseph Rinaldo, SdC., who also serves as the “Faithful Friar” of the Assembly. When Fr. Joseph accepted the position three years ago, it became his goal to help the men of this Assembly to increase their spirituality, and offered to do a Lenten Retreat on a yearly basis. This year’s retreat included talks on the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, and included Adoration, Rosary, Reconciliation, and Mass. According to Doug Koepsell, Grand Knight of the Dexter Council, “The Lenten retreat left an indelible impression on me. In addition to experiencing a glimpse of life at the Center, the teachings of Fr. Joe Rinaldo were without comparison. We are so fortunate to have such a tireless servant of Christ as our Faithful Friar.”
Chelsea – On Saturday October 27th, Fr. Fortunato Turati received a high honor from the 4th Degree of the Michigan Knights of Columbus. He was named the “Class Honoree” of the 64th Exemplification Class of Michigan District 2, made up of 4th Degree members of the Lansing and Kalamazoo Dioceses. The 4th Degree is the Patriotic arm of the Knights, and provides members for the Color Corps, while an exemplification is the installation ceremony for members of the 4th Degree. Nearly 50 new members were recruited for this event; all to honor Fr. Fortunato. Fr. Fortunato has served for many years as the Faithful Friar of Cardinal O’Hara Assembly #0489 made up of the twelve K of C councils that serve in Washtenaw County. Following the exemplification ceremony, Fr. Fortunato was the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the banquet luncheon held in the parish hall of St. Andrew Parish in Saline, MI. In his address, he spoke of the importance of keeping families together in this secular world, and to evangelize the living presence of Jesus in our lives.
Chelsea – The residents of St. Louis Center were once again treated to an annual barbeque and kickball game by the Chelsea Knights of Columbus on Thursday August 23, 2012. This annual event provides our local Knights with an opportunity to serve our residents, and have a great time in the process. After giving the cooks of SLC the night off, the Knights and their wives helped to cook a great summertime meal of hamburgers and cold salad, which was followed by desserts and a kickball game. As you can see from the happy faces, everyone present enjoyed the event.
East Providence– Sacred Heart Parish celebrated its patron feast in a grand fashion. They put on a three day festival, a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the parish blocks, a special Mass for the anointing of the sick; days of fun for children; booths and Portuguese food. Many young parents and their children enjoyed the safe environment and the many games. The beautiful weather proved to be favorable for attendance at Sunday Masses and the procession. May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the major Patron of our Guanellian Family, bless and protect the parish and all the parishioners especially those who, like Jesus on the cross, are nailed on the cross of their daily suffering.
State Deputy Thomas Marcetti and his wife, Arlene, receive the Papal Blessing from Fr. Enzo Addari, SdC.
Chelsea – The Michigan Knights of Columbus are strong supporters of the Servants of Charity and St. Louis Center, and hold their state convention every year on beautiful Mackinac Island which lies within the straits of Mackinac; between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To thank the Knights for their contributions to the success of St. Louis Center during the past two years, Fr. Enzo Addari presented a Papal Blessing to this year’s outgoing State Deputy Thomas Marcetti and his wife Arlene. The presentation was made in the theater of the Grand Hotel, the official site of the state convention, after Mr. Marcetti had formally presented Fr. Enzo with another financial contribution to St. Louis Center in front of the 500 delegates and their wives who were present. The presentation took place on Friday May 25, 2012.
The Servants of Charity congregation has reported the passing of Rev. Fr. Luigi Frangi, SdC. today in his nativeItaly. Fr. Frangi was born on March 30, 1924, and as a part of his religious vocation of serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was sent to theUnited States in 1959 where he worked at the Don Guanella School in Springfield, PA. until 1968. He was then transferred to St. Louis Center in Chelsea, MI, where he served as theSuperiorand Treasurer of the local community until 1982 when he returned to Italy.
While in theUnited States, Fr. Frangi was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was recently recognized for his 30 years of service by St. Louis Guanella Council #3092 in Chelsea, MI. He also said Mass at many local parishes in Washtenaw County, and was particularly fond of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Manchester, MI.
According to Fr. Joseph Rinaldo, SdC., “Fr. Luigi was a gentle and hardworking man, who could be seen constantly in prayer, and always saying the rosary.” After returning toItaly, Fr. Frangi ran the Shrine of Our Lady of Turino for several years, became chaplain to the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence in Lake Como, and lived at the retirement home in Nuova Olonio, Italy until recently being transferred to the hospice center in Caidate, Italy where he finally met the Lord.
Please remember Fr. Luigi Frangi in your prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto him O, Lord…and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Servants of Charity 