Montessori Center of Our Lady Celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope!
On February 19, 2025, the Montessori Center of Our Lady Elementary students participated in a walking pilgrimage led by Mission Integration Associate, Ms. Genevieve Pajulio, to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel in Livonia, MI. There, following the tradition of Pope Francis knocking and opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to commence Jubilee Year 2025, the children knocked on the Holy Door of the chapel and were greeted by local vicar, Sister Juanita Szymanski. The children were given a pilgrimage tour of the chapel by Sister Juanita where she provided a wonderful, spiritual lesson on what it means to be a pilgrim, to have hope and ask for mercy. Sister Juanita also showed the children the interior of the chapel, gave a tour of the convent and a very special stop was made at the Felician Sisters’ Heritage Room. The students learned about the rich history of the Felician Sisters and viewed special artifacts. During the pilgrimage, Sister Juanita took time to receive the Elementary students’ prayer intentions that they had written in their classroom. The prayer intention box will be kept in the chapel for daily prayers. Together, the students, teachers, Sister Juanita and special guests, prayed and sang songs while in the chapel. To begin and close this spiritual journey, the students carried Jubilee of Hope items such as the Vatican and American Flags, a Jubilee of Hope Candle, Christ Candle, and their special prayer intentions box while wearing handmade Pilgrims of Hope headbands during their outdoor pilgrimage walk. All those in attendance received a Pilgrim’s Passport for completing a pilgrimage to one of twelve designated pilgrimage sites selected by the local bishop within the Archdiocese of Detroit. What a blessing for the students to experience a pilgrimage site on their very own campus. A tremendous blessing too for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel to be chosen as a pilgrimage site during this Jubilee Year and during The Felician Sisters 150th Anniversary!
Thank you to Gail Jones for submitting this story!
OLSH Honors Catholic Sisters Week
Recently, OLSH took the social media waves to share beautiful stories of the Felician Sisters who have been integral to the school since they founded it in 1932. OLSH produced a beautiful video and shared it to Facebook reels to demonstrate the tremendous impact of the sisters on the community. You can watch the video here.
Villa Maria College Levels Up As Host
For the next two years, Villa Maria College will host the USCAA Basketball Small College National Championships, welcoming nearly 2,000 athletes, coaches, and fans to Buffalo, NY. This high-stakes tournament features top small college teams from 23 states, with the 2025 event set for March 10–15 and 2026 for March 2–7. Villa Maria President Dr. Matthew Giordano calls it an honor, bringing excitement, tourism, and national recognition to the college’s strong athletic program.
Villa St. Francis Enters the Season of Lent
Recently, Mission Leader Kurt Keidl OFS, gave an engaging presentation about the significance and customs of Lent. Lent is often seen as a season of transformation because it offers an intentional period of personal spiritual growth, reflection, and renewal as we journey with Jesus for 40 days through Calvary toward Easter joy. Transformation is one of our five core values.
Each resident in attendance developed their own personal Lenten resolutions, and then had a lively discussion about the various ways they will experience transformation by deepening their prayer life, fasting sacrificially, and increasing their giving during Lent this year.
“Let us love God with all our heart and let us keep the fast of the soul, which is humility and charity.” (Bl. Mary Angela, foundress of the Felician Sisters)
(from the VSF Facebook page)
St. Anne’s Family Services Breaks Ground for a New Residential Facility
In a momentous step forward for foster care support, St. Anne’s Family Services recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 3,170-square-foot residential home dedicated to serving foster families through a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program. Situated just across the street from St. Anne’s Family Services, this new space is designed to provide stability and tailored care to families navigating the challenges of foster care.
The ceremony was more than just a celebration of construction—it was a testament to the resilience of the community, particularly in the wake of the devastating LA Wildfires. Local leaders, advocates, and supporters gathered to mark the occasion, emphasizing the importance of providing a safe, nurturing environment for children and families in transition.
