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Welcome to our Solanus Center blog. This is a space to simply share the experiences of grace and peace that are a part of the Solanus Casey Center. I have been at the Center now for five months, and since the first of this month am the Director of the Center. I have been moved by the sincere and profound faith that so many persons passing through the Center have shown. In visiting with pilgrims, in listening to confessions, in Celebrating Eucharist - the sacredness of this place, and the sacredness of the memory of our Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey have been eched into the meaning of my life, and have been a gift that leads me to love God in a deeper way. I hope many, through this blog, might be able to share in that sacredness of the movement of God through our lives - both after their visits to the Center, or their visits to this web site. I "thank God ahead of time" (as Venerable Solanus would say) for the many graces that this Blog will surely bring to many. Please share your thoughts by emailing lwebber@thecapuchins.org February 21, 2010 Carol Nehra, our wonderful, warm and welcoming Hospitality Coordinator retired recently. The hole that it has left reminds me of what Fr. Solanus was really all about for those many years here at St. Bonaventures: it is all about receiving people and making them feel welcomed, cared about and listened to. That really is at the heart of the ministry we continue in the spirit of Venerable Solanus here at the Center. We will obviously need to be finding someone to take Carol's place (though that will not be at all easy.) But in the meantime, I am reminded that it is not only the hospitality coordinator who has to create that environment. It is the task of each of us who work here. And it is an invitation to each person who is inspired by Venerable Solanus: to create warm and welcoming environments in our homes, places of work and schools. That is the task of each of us, where ever we may be. Fr. Larry February 10, 2010 As I sit and watch the snow fall outside my window, I know how difficult it is for peopel to come here to the Center on a day like today. It makes me grateful for the many days and ways in which the Lord in his goodness graces people to be able to come to this very special and sacred place. There are many obsticales or excuses that people might use for not seeking out the graced places that God provides for us, and on a day like today I ask the Lord to open my heart and the hearts of so many to "clean the roads" that lead to grace. Fr. Larry February 5, 2010 As I worked on a Letter to be sent to our many benefactors as we enter Lent, this reflection came to me: "One page on this year’s calendar has already been turned and we find ourselves entering into the Holy Season of Lent. There is, it seems to me, poignancy in the fact that Lent begins in the dead of winter and ends at Easter with the promise of spring. Lent is a time for us to reflect upon the reality that we are limited creatures who, regardless of intent, find ourselves falling again and again into the cold death of sin – yet are eternally led, by Christ Jesus, into the springtime of redemption; the restoration of our deepest and truest identity as beloved sons and daughters of God." Our prayers are with all of you who visit us, here at the Center, and here on our Web Site. Fr. Larry January 25, 2009 Carol Nehra, our hospitality coordinator, recently trained four new docents, volunteers who help lead people on their pilgrimage here at the Center. I went up to our conference room, and saw all the notes on the white board - and one statement grabbed my attention: "The Solanus Casey Center is a beacon of light for people that live in an otherwise darkened world! It provides comfort, peace, but most important HOPE!!" One of the new docents made the coment: "I prefer to see the Solanus Casey Center as a place for people seeking to come out of their internal darkness." Fr. Larry December 31 Since Morning prayers and Mass this morning, today is a day to give thanks to God for so many blessings received in this past year. For me that has included returning to the United States after 27 years in Central America working to build up the Capuchin Fraternity and the local church there. But a great blessing I have received in returning has been my assignment to the Solanus Casey Center. I have always felt the support of Fr. Solanus in my years as a Missionary because of his great love for and support for the missions, especially through the Capuchin Mass Association which supports our missions. The Solanus Center is a mission in its own right - creating a space of peace and and invitation to growth in holiness for so many who pass through its doors. Today I offer thanks to God for all the many people who have touched my life here at the Center during this past year: for their needs and petitions. I pray that God will continue to bless this Center, and all who pass through it this coming year of 2010, with His grace and peace. December 1st We had a 4th grade Pilgrimage today from Everest Academy in Clarkston, Michigan. The students were so excited to share with me their most kind donations for our poor clients. One young man, brought a beautiful warm jacket and cough and cold medicine. They said they were collecting items for the past couple of weeks. They also gave a most generous donation to the Solanus Center. What touched my heart ,was their excitement and joy in being able to share their donations and gifts for our less fortunate families. Congratulations to all staff at Everest Academy for promoting the gift of kindness. Carol Nehra, Hospitality Coordinator
November 22 The Center was FILLED with people today for the 139th birthday of Fr. Solanus. It was also the feast of Christ the King. I was struck, in the midst of all the people, one rather elderly lady who sat alone and shared how sad she was as the Holidays approached. She said she had no one left to be with for the holidays. It reminded me how many people come here to the Center to "feel a part of" and to be "included" - such a basic human need, and one Fr. Solanus always met with such humble and kind service. I hope we can continue to offer the same spirit of family to all those who come. November 21,2009 I am always moved by how the peace and grace of this center around the tomb of Venerable Father Solanus draws and affects people. The other day there was a couple who spent hours walking around the center and the church, sitting, reflecting, talking. As they were leaving, I asked how their visit had gone. They had been so touched by the experience. In sharing, the wife asked me about Secular Franciscan Nuns. Her hardresser was one, and she didn't know Nuns did that sort of thing. I shared with her that most probably her hardresser was a Secular Franciscan, a group of lay people - some married as this couple are - who colaborate with us Capuchin Franciscans in our life and ministry within the realms of their own life as married couples and familes. Here at St. Bonaventures and at the Solanus Center we have a very active Secular Franciscan fraternity, and there are others in the Detroit area. They were facinated by the idea. I told them the fraternity here at the Center gathers every third Sunday at 1:00. Venerable Father Solanus worked alot with this fraternity, together with the other friars, and these lay brothers and sisters of ours are a huge support to us in our ministry. Fr. Larry Webber OFM Cap / Director of the Center October 22,2009 Last week at the Solanus Center, I had the joyous opportunity to meet a group of young nuns from Ann Arbor. Their order is Mary Mother of the Eucharist. What touched my heart, through observation , was their childlike faith. They were so excited to touch Fr. Solanus’ tomb and the relics in our Choir. Their expressions of sheer awe and amazement was enchanting ,as they looked at each sacred venue throughout our Blessed Center. Everything I shared was received with reverence , light and love. By engaging in conversation with these young novices, I realized that their love for the simple things in life , like Solanus Casey, was transforming them and shaping their focus for their futures in a religious vocation. Meeting these young messengers of the light of our Lord, was for me, a reaffirmation of my faith in so many ways. After they departed I thought about their devotion to Mary, our Mother and Solanus’ devotion as well. Fr. Solanus once said, “Devotion to the Blessed Mother will bring untold blessings, for we can never be grateful enough to such a singularly chosen and priviledged Blessed Queen of the entire creation.” Amen my brothers and sisters Carol Nehra, Hospitality Coordinator
September 1, 2009By Colleen C., an employee of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph Each time I attend the Wednesday healing service I am moved to tears. The service is a powerful demonstration of faith. The streets outside the Solanus Center are lined with cars and vans. The parking lot is full. People from all walks of life gather to find hope for their lives....or perhaps for a loved one. It's a wonderful oasis of peace in what would typically be a very busy workday. The music washes over you, sending you to a place without cell phones or email. A place where you can nestle in God's arms and turn your worries to Him. When the presider asks for intentions, the chapel comes alive with prayers streaming heavenward. And when the blessing occurs, you can feel the presence of God. At the end of the service, I usually wait behind and watch everyone leave. They always seem to have a lighter step.
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