  Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 37 Registered: 01-2007 |
What ever happened to Fr. Gordon? Does anyone remember the priest that was there in the early 80's. I can't remember his name, but he was a young guy. I believe he was there before Fr. Hildebrant and Fr. Smits. I remember one time prior to making my first communion he let some of us kids try a communion wafer so we could see what it taste like. Since they hadn't been blessed yet, it was o.k. to let us try one. | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 125 Registered: 04-2006 |
I'm pretty sure Father Gordon died a few years back. I hope I'm wrong, but I seem to recall hearing that somewhere. I think I heard that he ended up at St. Joan of Arc in St. Clair Shores. Can anybody confirm that? | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 38 Registered: 01-2007 |
Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks. | ||
Drm Member Username: Drm Post Number: 1085 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't know who came after Fr. Gordon, but before him, all serving at the same time, were Fr. Schweider, Fr. O'Hagan and Fr. Jim Brougham (sp?). Fr. Jim later served as pastor of St. Agatha in Redford, which I believe closed a few years ago. Back then there were at least 3 or 4 masses every Sunday at St. Matthew and I remember the place being pretty full. The parking lot which doubled as our school playground would be full, as well as a lot across Harper and another one across Whittier (where the newspaper recycling trailer used to be). During one of the masses, there was a special service in the basement auditorium of the church for children. A quick search of the web reveals a Knights of Columbus council named after Fr. Gordon: Council 12102 - MSGR JOHN T GORDON of STERLING HEIGHTS, STERLING HTS, MI 48312. link | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 260 Registered: 04-2006 |
Fr. McEnhill was the only young priest that I remember from the 70's. | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 126 Registered: 04-2006 |
Then there was the Italian priest, Father Bonicci. Not sure on the spelling, but it was pronounced Bo-NEE-chee. Sunday mass in the late '70s and early '80s were at 7:30, 9:30, 11, and 12:30. As an altar boy, I had to check The Pulse newsletter every week to see if I had to serve. I always dreaded to see my name in there at 7:30 a.m. | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 262 Registered: 04-2006 |
Don't forget the Saturday 4:30pm mass. It always wrecked summer afternoons by going to serve. | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 127 Registered: 04-2006 |
I kinda preferred Saturday afternoons. Was never a morning guy. I remember being on the football team and having to go to 4:30 mass every Saturday, with the whole team wearing our football jerseys over our blue shirts and blue pants. Gee, our old LaSalle ran great ... Those were the days. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 93 Registered: 08-2005 |
I remember going to that mass, too. I remember you guys doing that, wearing your uniforms. To this day, if I make it to mass, it's on Saturday. | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 39 Registered: 01-2007 |
Every once in a while my mom and dad got on a church kick and we had to go. Usually it was the last Mass in the morning. I think because my sister and I wouldn't get up. I didn't mind Saturday Mass because you could get it over and done with. To me my church is St. Matthews. No other church feels right. We had our daughter baptized there. My 2 boys haven't been baptized. I wanted to join St. Matts, so they could be baptized there, but I was kind of discouraged from joining. I live in Sterling Heights, so it is a bit away. Plus I was told it is an older congragation. And they want you to make a commitment to the church and be an active member. Of course all I wanted was for them to be baptized. | ||
Taj920 Member Username: Taj920 Post Number: 179 Registered: 01-2004 |
Carm: I doubt if you will find any church -- city or suburb -- that will baptize your child without you becoming a parishioner. | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 40 Registered: 01-2007 |
I know that. I understand that. However I never said I just want to baptize them and thats it. I have no problems attending church and giving them my donation every week. My point is that because I lived out of the parish, I was kind of encouraged to go to another church closer to me, rather than the one I feel comfortable in. When I called my local parish when I first moved and asked about baptism I couldn't get a straight answer out of them. I had to talk to the director, and he wanted me to meet with the committee. All I wanted was some questions answered to help me make some decisions about whether I wanted to join that church or not. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 95 Registered: 08-2005 |
They shouldn't be turning away any family interested in joining---who knows how long our beloved church will be around before it's either closed or merged. They need parishioners, period. Whether they live nearby or in Sterling Hgts. I know plenty of families who had lived in the area that now live out in Macomb County. Several of them remain members of St.Matts,although they only attend mass there a few times a year. | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 42 Registered: 01-2007 |
This was a few years back. It was the secretary or whoever answered the phone. They didn't say I couldn't join, but were just letting me know it might not be what I remembered. | ||
Tammypio Member Username: Tammypio Post Number: 89 Registered: 04-2005 |
Carm...I urge you to come and visit St. Matthew and see if it is still what you are looking for. We have quite a few young families in the parish. There are still a lot of older parishioners there too...which makes for a nice mix and some diversity. I live in Lincoln Park and drive to St. Matthew every Sunday and every Thursday for choir practice. Can you carry a tune? We are always looking for more choir members!!! My family and I joined the parish almost 3 years ago and we are very happy there. My son is 10 years old and is an altar server. There are quite a few kids his age at the parish and there seem to be even more younger children. Again, please come and check it out. Mass is at 10 a.m. on Sunday (CHOIR SINGS!) and at 4:30 on Saturday (our music minister/organist/choir director always does an amazing job!). If you come on Sunday, please feel free to come on up to the choir loft and say hi! St. Matthew has a beauty all of it's own. I have come to discover that it isn't just the beauty of the building, but a combination of many things that make being there such a spiritual and enriching experience. Hope to see you sometime! | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 43 Registered: 01-2007 |
Tammypio, I can't carry a tune in a bucket if I tried. My sons are 9 and 10. Do you know when the religious ed classes are? They still haven't been baptized or had their First Communion. Being that I went to school their I never had to deal with separate classes for this stuff. Do they even do a baptism, communion together? Thanks for any help. | ||
Boshna Member Username: Boshna Post Number: 160 Registered: 01-2005 |
Carm, they do something called RCIC, which is a year-long program that prepares children for baptism and first holy communion at Easter. These classes begin in the fall. The parish is so small at this point that classes would most likely be at St. Clare of Montefalco. A couple of kids around the same ages did the same thing a few years ago and the pastor brought in a religious ed instructor to give them private classes. Here is what I would recommend: Start attending mass at the parish now. Make sure you really like the community. Then, in the fall, if you are truly pleased with the parish, join and start the baptism/confirmation process for your sons. It is most normal for someone to attend the parish for a while without being registered. I highly doubt you will be discouraged from joining if your face is familiar in the congregation. Hope this helps. | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 44 Registered: 01-2007 |
Thanks for your all your help. | ||
Tammypio Member Username: Tammypio Post Number: 90 Registered: 04-2005 |
Carm: I agree with Boshna's suggestions above. I do know that the children have to do sacramental preparation outside of St. Matthew. For some reason, I believe this takes place at St. Philomena, but I could be way off base. My son had just received his first Holy Communion from our previous parish when we joined St. Matthew. I need to find out the information myself soon since I believe confirmation comes up in a couple of years. I would love to see St. Matts continue to grow and to be able to offer sacramental preparation again one day. When I was feeling the need for a change from my previous parish, I did a bit of "church-hopping" and found what I was looking for at St. Matthew. After almost three years, I have found another family among the choir members and parishioners there. Please do consider visiting and checking us out when you and your family get the opportunity to do so. While I am probably a bit biased since I am in the choir, I must say that the music program is very very cool. If you can't make it before then, I'd highly recommend coming to some Holy Week services. From Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, each service offers something special. It is hard to fully describe how spiritually fulfilling and moving they actually are. Again, I hope to see you sometime! By the way, as an outsider, it has been a lot of fun to read of all of your posts and memories about St. Matthew. Keep 'em coming! | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 97 Registered: 08-2005 |
I have a plate I bought on Ebay with an image of the church. Remember the Jubilee Celebration? What year was that, 77? I'm not sure if that was a commemorative plate or not.... I remember the parties, though. Lots of good planning on the part of the Mother's club and Mens Club. What a magical time. | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 269 Registered: 04-2006 |
Sad news. Charlie Kane passed away. Husband of Mrs. Marie Kane and Tim and Mary-Beth both alumni of St. Matts. Mr. Kane was very active in the sports of St. Matts. especially baseball and football, he was a good guy. Visitation is at Verheydens, Monday 2-9pm. Services are Tuesday at St. Matthews 9am. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 100 Registered: 08-2005 |
My mom told me the news last night. I feel sad---what a nice family. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1933 Registered: 10-2003 |
Saw Mr. Kane's death notice in the paper this morning. He was a good friend of my late father. Those old eastside guys...friends forever!! | ||
Maxcarey Member Username: Maxcarey Post Number: 34 Registered: 07-2006 |
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Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 45 Registered: 01-2007 |
We are having our basement finished. While going thru boxes and clearing the area I found pictures of my 8th grade graduation with Father Gordon. Unfortunatly, my scanner doesn't work so I can't post any of them. | ||
Drm Member Username: Drm Post Number: 1086 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote:That was 1977. I remember riding in the school bus during a parade that year (maybe the East Warren Business Association parade?) and chanting, "Yay, St. Matthew's! We're here to stay!" Some of the parishioners built a float in the image of the church that year which traveled to many parades in the area. I think that was also about the time that some of the parishioners installed the lights that to this day still illuminate the church. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 108 Registered: 08-2005 |
DRM, Did you go to St Matt's school? What years? | ||
Drm Member Username: Drm Post Number: 1089 Registered: 10-2003 |
Chalu64, yes I went to St. Matthew from 1976 through 1981. | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 345 Registered: 07-2005 |
My brother and sister went there, and I've been there a lot of times, but it was so long ago I don't remember. Does anyone have more photos? | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 113 Registered: 08-2005 |
DRM, What high school? | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 48 Registered: 01-2007 |
Did anyone ever call Harper Sports about our marauder? | ||
Carharttmike Member Username: Carharttmike Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2007 |
I am new to the forum but what a great thread. I am St. Matthew class of '77. Yorkshire between waveny and cornwall. My kids go to OL Star of the Sea in GPW and have Ms. Liamini for third grade. Still working on those multiplication tables. I also recently ran into Paul Schulte. Turns out he still lives in his parents house which is a block away from me. Looking back he was tough but I think of all the teachers I've ever had he made the strongest impression on me. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 117 Registered: 08-2005 |
CarharttM, how was Paul Schulte doing? Last I heard, he was ill. I'm assuming all is well with him? | ||
Boshna Member Username: Boshna Post Number: 163 Registered: 01-2005 |
Does anyone remember a deceased parishioner named Helen McGregor? | ||
Imperfectly Member Username: Imperfectly Post Number: 209 Registered: 06-2004 |
oh gosh the multiplication tables !!! was it donuts ???? that was fun. and yeah i posted myself mid 1980s so everyone could kinda see our marauder....i want results !!  | ||
Carharttmike Member Username: Carharttmike Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2007 |
Chalu64, he looked OK a bit frail. I'm guessing he has to be in his late 60's at least. | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 295 Registered: 04-2006 |
I'll be seeing Mr. Lebryk next week. Any messages for the cockroach king? | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 131 Registered: 08-2005 |
I don't remember the cockroach thing. ; ( | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 140 Registered: 04-2006 |
Tell Frank Lebryk he is fondly remembered! Class of '83. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 132 Registered: 08-2005 |
Tell Jim and Frank they owe me some of that beer from the old days at Mr. Cs. Wait a second, I don't drink beer. Hmmm... | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 302 Registered: 04-2006 |
I checked The Pointe After today for St. Matts shirts. They said they only have schools that have closed. I informed them that it had a few years ago. Then the nitwit behind the counter asked his Mom or the manager "have you ever heard of St. Matthews"?. I left. I'm checking Harper Sport tomorrow. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 146 Registered: 08-2005 |
Those people need to be slapped. I won't be shopping there anymore. C'mon, that's pathetic. "Heard of St. Matthew's...." Sheesh. I'm telling you, we have to print them ourselves. | ||
Maxcarey Member Username: Maxcarey Post Number: 64 Registered: 07-2006 |
I think the Pointe After only has high schools that have closed (ND Bishop Gallagher, Servite, etc). I can't really blame a youngin' for not knowing about St. Matt's, it's unfortunate, but why would they know about it? | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 147 Registered: 08-2005 |
They had St. Ambrose shirts previously. | ||
Maxcarey Member Username: Maxcarey Post Number: 66 Registered: 07-2006 |
Yes, but Ambrose also had a high school with a pretty famous football program. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 148 Registered: 08-2005 |
Yup, you're preaching to the choir about eastside gradeschool/HS football. | ||
Maxcarey Member Username: Maxcarey Post Number: 67 Registered: 07-2006 |
I truly miss those days. | ||
Imperfectly Member Username: Imperfectly Post Number: 215 Registered: 06-2004 |
let us know what you hear ! | ||
Taj920 Member Username: Taj920 Post Number: 202 Registered: 01-2004 |
The Lebryk's older bro Mike runs Manor pharmacy on Mack in the Woods. Take your prescriptions to him instead of the chains. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2138 Registered: 10-2003 |
I know the Zainea kids went to St. Matthew. Their dad Joe Zainea who owns the Majestic/Garden Bowl complex is quoted in today's Detroit News as part of their current weekly article on Woodward at 200: "Joe Zainea credits the bachelors. They mostly worked at Burroughs, General Motors Corp. or one of the downtown banks, and on Monday mornings in the 1940s they would arrive at Detroit's East Grand Boulevard train station from the suburbs and stash their bags in tiny hotel rooms. After work each night, they tore up the town, hitting the clubs, ballrooms, bowling alleys and taxi-dance halls. "I can't tell you how busy they made Woodward," said Zainea, whose family owns the Majestic Theatre complex. "Without a doubt, this was one of the busiest areas in the Midwest. We were jammed because this area had so much employment." Detroit was hopping, and anyone who could crawl, walk or jump on a streetcar to Woodward Avenue was in for a night of revelry. With dozens of auto companies in production, the teens and 1920s were prosperous years on Woodward, a time when Grand Circus Park was ringed with new movie theaters and a slew of ballrooms opened, driven by the national fox trot craze. ..." http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070326/M ETRO/703260389&theme=Metro-Woo dward | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 149 Registered: 08-2005 |
The Zaineas are good folk. One brother and family lived on Audubon, the other brother on OuterDrive. Talk about a giving family. The bowling alley was host to many St. Matt's events during the 70/80s. There generosity was endless. | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 153 Registered: 04-2006 |
I remember them living on Outer Drive. And I heard Papa Joe talking on the News' Web site. Pretty neat. But, Joe, you're not old enough to remember the teens and the '20s! Love ya anyhow, old timer. | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 311 Registered: 04-2006 |
Chalu, Mr. Lebryk says Hi My brother did the cockroach for old times sake today for Mr. Lebryk. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 153 Registered: 08-2005 |
Thanks Tark. Hope you're well. Gotta still plan that reunion. My work load has just lifted, have some time now. | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 168 Registered: 04-2006 |
Chalu, if you have any advice on a reunion, I'm all ears. I'm the Class of '83. We should start an alumni Web site! | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 158 Registered: 08-2005 |
Yes yes yes to the Alum Website. | ||
Imperfectly Member Username: Imperfectly Post Number: 221 Registered: 06-2004 |
It would be really fun to have a reunion IN the school somehow. I have not been inside the school portion since the day I left in 1989. I have been in the church once since then. IT was maybe 4 years ago. It was emotional to sit in those same pews....and stare at that domed mosaic. Even got to go down in the basement where the stage was ....remember having plays down there ? I remember watching Jesus Christ Superstar down there ....which now im suprised that happened. Ahhhh I would love to get to wander thru those halls again. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 162 Registered: 08-2005 |
We wanted to have the previous reunion ('02) in the Gym. Father Novelli wasn't too keen on having it there or in the auditorium. | ||
Carm Member Username: Carm Post Number: 51 Registered: 01-2007 |
I haven't been in the school since June of 1988. I was last in the church in May of 1992. I have often thought lately that I would love to walk thru there one last time. Maybe take my kids so they can see where Mom went to school. It would be nice if we could get Fr. Novelli to agree to it. | ||
Tammypio Member Username: Tammypio Post Number: 111 Registered: 04-2005 |
Has anyone tried having a current St. Matthew parishioner ,who is also an alumnus, ask Fr. Novelly about having the reunion there? He might feel better about it all if he knew the contact person better...just a suggestion. By the way, Joe Zainea is still a very active parishioner at St. Matts. Good luck! Reading all of your memories has been very cool and I would love to hear that you can have the reunion there. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 170 Registered: 08-2005 |
The school building is rented out to another school. And, for the record, it was a current parishioner who asked Fr. N. I supposed we could ask again. TammyP, do you want to do it? ; ) | ||
Tammypio Member Username: Tammypio Post Number: 112 Registered: 04-2005 |
Hey, I was just trying to help. The school is rented to DPS right now. So he does know the contact person...I wonder why he "wasn't keen" on it then. Hmmmmmm....! Hope things work out! | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 171 Registered: 08-2005 |
No, I didn't take it in a negative way. Nor was I being sarcastic in my comment, hence the smiley face. I was more disappointed in the fact that we couldn't hold it there. And you're right, it would have just meant a phone call to whomever. I'm assuming you are an alum, too? | ||
Tammypio Member Username: Tammypio Post Number: 113 Registered: 04-2005 |
No, I am a parishioner at St. Matt's. I've only been there for three years and have no "pull" whatsoever. I wish I did because I'd love to see you be able to come back and enjoy the place. If If I were an alum, I'd be bugging the heck out of Novelly. By the way, no offense taken.... ! |
