(Read our Justice Advocacy Articles.)
The National Holiday is observed annually on the third Monday of January. Reverend King’s actual birthday is January 15.
Masses to commemorate Reverend King
Join us at our Sunday 5pm Mass on, January 19th 2025, where through scripture and song, we commemorate the life and legacy of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. With Mass, choirs and following dinner together with both St. Francis Parish and our sister parish, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Detroit, we will recognize his good efforts and advancement of our Human Rights and Civil Rights as certainly in keeping with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and completely aligned with the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. While he was not a Catholic himself, we celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. because he seriously advocated for the life and dignity of all people; the call to community participation and inclusion of all Americans, regardless of their skin color, putting the needs of the poor and vulnerable first; and solidarity in our one human family, regardless of racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.
Since 2008 (except 4 years from 2021-2024) and starting again in 2025 (our 14th year) we have commemorated the life and legacy of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. with Mass, Choirs & Dinner together with both St. Francis Parish and our sister parish, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Detroit. (With Choir director Michelle Baines.)
“. . . Dr. King’s life and the cause for which he died were in full accord with the teachings embedded in the Church’s social doctrine. Over the centuries, the Church has shown her concern for human life in society, for the relationships of justice and love that form the fabric of society. The Church has protected and promoted the dignity and rights of the person, and peace in the relationships between persons and between communities of persons. Dr. King, through his life, his work and his death, championed the dignity and rights of his people—and of all people. Join with us in commemorating him at our Masses by praying for the coming of peace and justice throughout the world.” – Phil Kearney
For more information contact the Parish Outreach Ministry at justice@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2121
Links
Commemorate Reverend King, and, sign-up to eat and help with the dinner, here.
Racial Justice @ St. Francis Parish & Justice Advocacy Articles
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Detroit (Our Sister Parish)
RECALL our PAST spectacular MLK Webinar digital tour BACK in Jan 2021. The Pilgrimage to Nonviolence was a wonderfully powerful presentation by Yolanda Jack, of Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History about Dr. Martin Luther King’s Pilgrimage to Nonviolence. It was attended by members of both Catholic parishes, St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor & Corpus Christi, Detroit. We learned about the experience of Africans who were brought to America as slaves and their descendants who fought for civil rights. American racism did not die with the end of slavery – it just changed form. We continue to celebrate the legacy and achievements of African Americans in Michigan and America. We look forward to continuing our Pilgrimage to Nonviolence. Stay tuned for more events.
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