Detroit Stories

In a Church that celebrates big families, infertility can be an isolating cross; how married couples found beauty in God's plan (0:02) Ann Koshute discusses the vision she and her husband had of having children after they were married. Like many Catholic couples, they longed for a big family. However, as the years went on without children, the couple slowly began to grapple with the cross they ca...

Three missionary priests draw parallels between the work of the Gospel in far-off lands and the new evangelization in Detroit (0:04) Fr. Stephen Mutie, SAC, a priest currently serving in Wyandotte, reflects on his first missionary assignment with the Irish Pallottine community 15 years ago in a remote and rural part of Tanzania. Born in Kenya, Fr. Mutie’s own vocation was influenced by missionari...

In a world filled with hustle and bustle, two cloistered nuns pull back the curtain on their life of prayer, silence and peace (0:01) Mother Mary Therese of the Holy Spirit, prioress of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of St. Therese in Clinton Township, recalls her first memories of cloistered life as a 7-year-old visiting a family friend who was a Carmelite nun, and how an early whi...

Young adult ministry isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; how Detroit parishes, ministries find success with elusive demographic (0:03) Czeena Kate, co-founder of the Catholic dating ministry Hot and Holy Hearts on Fire for Christ, talks about how the idea for the speed-dating ministry began in response to some of the “perils” of the dating scene for young adult Catholics. (1:52) The narrator discu...

Parishioners, seminarians and friends recall impact of Detroit pastor, longtime spiritual director who left mark on generations (0:02) Rose Marshall, a lifelong parishioner and social media coordinator at St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish in Detroit, recalls a drive-through the parish organized during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to lift the spirits of the parish’s pastor, Msgr. Daniel Tr...

Student-athletes, coaches and ADs offer advice for navigating a complex process amidst a changing landscape for recruits (0:02) Sonny Wilson, a freshman on the University of Toledo’s basketball team, reflects on his recruitment in high school as a standout on the University of Detroit Jesuit High School’s squad. He offers advice for other young players going through the process. (3:51) The narrato...

Thinking about the priesthood and nervous about the next steps? Three priests dispel myths about what it's really like in seminary (0:05) Fr. Jeremy Schupbach, 27, a newly ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit serving at the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn, talks about the moment he first heard the call to the priesthood from an early age. The narrator introduces the topic of the ep...

How a ragtag band of volunteers launched a global disaster relief organization after Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010 (0:04) Kelly Anne Ruda, a retired travel agent and teacher, unexpectedly becomes a valuable member of Team Rubicon, a veteran-led nonprofit assisting disaster-affected communities. Despite lacking typical disaster-relief skills, Kelly embraces the challenging work of hauling...

How a youth minister with an unyielding generosity and love for God continues to make an impact five years after her death (0:05) The narrator introduces the listening audience to Katarina Goitz, a bright, compassionate youth minister with a big heart for God, service to others and an unyielding desire to do the Lord’s will. Katarina’s life was tragically cut short on June 24, 2019, when she was k...

Local Catholics are taking Pope Francis' climate concerns to heart, becoming a force for ecological change in their communities (0:02) Jane Linehan, director of religious studies and philosophy at Madonna University in Livonia, talks about the Franciscan values of sustainability and how the Franciscan university lives out those values, guided by Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum an...

Does AI present a threat to humanity? Can it improve lives? And what can the Church say about it? Two Catholic experts discuss (0:03) The narrator recalls a media firestorm last year involving an AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing a white “puffer” jacket. Though the image was fake, it was a prime example of the power of artificial intelligence to alter perceptions and a wake-up call to the...

In a space dominated by 'nones' and secular ideology, Catholic college students talk about how faith can thrive on campus (0:03) Fr. Ben Hass, pastor of St. Albert Student Parish at Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula, describes the parish’s tradition of building an ice chapel during the university’s annual Winter Carnival in February and how it helps evangelize on the college...

As 2023 draws to a close, we share our favorite stories that didn't make the podcast — but we still think you should hear (0:02) The narrator opens the podcast with a brief summary of Detroit Stories’ podcast episodes over the past year, thanking listeners for their support. He introduces today’s episode, which highlights five of the best written stories from 2023 featured in Detroit Catholic ....

All across the city of Detroit, Catholic organizations are turning vacant land and buildings into vibrant, affordable housing (0:02) Lynne Williams of Detroit talks about how she and her husband, both recovering from addiction, found an apartment in Detroit with the help of the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance. The Catholic nonprofit is one of many in the city working to build affordable housing...

Why a humble factory worker, grandfather, healer and prayerful man of God from Escanaba could be Michigan's next saint (0:06) Deacon Terry Saunders tells the story of a frantic mother who took her cancer-stricken son to see a man known for his reputation for healing in the 1990s. The narrator explains the man was Irving “Francis” Houle, a grandfather, husband and average layman from Escanaba with...

Navy and Marine Corps veterans discuss the indispensable role of their chaplain — and why priests are so desperately needed in the military (0:03) Canton native Deacon Matthew Kurt, a seminarian studying for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, plans to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. military once he’s ordained. He describes his formation on military bases and why he’s pursuing a minist...

A priest and theologian explain how Catholics understand the supernatural, and where modern 'ghost stories' might fit in Show notes: (0:04) The narrator describes a mysterious event that’s alleged to have taken place in the 1960s at a parish on the south side of Chicago, in which parishioners claim to have encountered three “ghostly figures.” Fr. Sam Joutras, OSA, a priest at the parish, explains...

In the 1980s, a group of concerned Detroiters set out to help exploited women; today, their program is a blueprint for the nation Show notes: (0:11) The narrator sets the scene of Detroit in the 1980s, when disturbing trends across the city found young women caught up in exploitive and oppressive situations, including gang activity, homelessness, drugs and sex work. Amy Good, CEO of the Detroit no...

Omar Binno's struggle with blindness and depression nearly led him to despair; today, he helps others see with the eyes of faith Show notes: (0:01) Omar Binno, a parishioner at Holy Cross Chaldean Church in Farmington Hills, discusses his love for J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, including how the epic tales of heroism and struggle helped him overcome a difficult childhood, in...

Monroe-based maternity home a haven for mothers struggling with homelessness, paving the way for a future filled with hope Show notes: (0:06) Cassandra, a new mother from Arizona, describes struggling with homelessness and domestic violence while juggling the responsibilities that come with having a two-week-old daughter. A friend suggested a few maternity homes, including one out of state: Selah’...

Since 1998, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Earthworks Urban Farm has been an oasis in the midst of Detroit's food desert Show notes: (0:06) The narrator talks about the history of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Earthworks Urban Farm, which was started in 1998 by Bro. Rick Samyn, OFM Cap., to provide Detroiters fresh food, a sense of purpose and a chance to cultivate the earth in the heart of the city. (...

Scholar discusses journey from Messianic Judaism to Catholicism, and how Catholics and Jews can bridge an ancient divide Show notes: (0:04) The narrator sets the scene with André Villeneuve, Ph. D., in Jerusalem with a group of seminarians visiting the tomb of the Old Testament king David. The Catholic group encounters hostility from a local Jew, who demanded they leave, citing religious reasons....

Former students recall legendary record hops of the 1960s, '70s and '80s at Notre Dame High, and their benefactor, Fr. Bryson Show notes: (0:04) The narrator sets the scene of the 1960s, when teenagers looked forward to Friday nights at the record hops at Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods. Those legendary memories weren’t complete without the memory of Fr. John “Hollywood” Bryson, a Marist pr...

Rebecca Martin wrote the book on Catholic wedding planning — literally — but her own wedding was far from what she imagined Show notes: (0:03) The narrator introduces Rebecca Martin, a local book editor who co-wrote “The Catholic Wedding Planner,” a guide for brides and grooms to making their big day a holy, happy success. Rebecca describes how her own wedding planning was derailed, however, when...

Former oil rigger, seminarian, country music DJ, and teacher Bill Richart spent a lifetime chasing his vocation — and finally caught it Show notes: (0:02) The narrator introduces Bill Richart, a local Catholic musician, lay evangelist and charismatic prayer leader. Bill talks about how he discovered his vocation — and the long, winding road he took to get there. (2:33) Bill describes growing up in...