Sweetest Heart of Mary Church — Attraction in Detroit

I review catholic churches from time to time in my travels and I give a rating system for certain criteria which typically follows the GERM. It should also be noted that I am not an “official” parishioner of Sweetest Heart of Mary, but having been going to masses occasionally here for a few years now.

Anyways on to the review:

Architecture: It goes without question that this church is very beautiful. Tall expanding architecture with accompanying very large stain glass windows and the 5 exquisite beautiful wooden carved high alters surround the front of the church. This place is one of Detroit’s master pieces. It is no wonder why this church is selected for marriage more often than most churches in Detroit (don’t quote me on that). This is one of the few churches that hasn’t been “wreck-tivated” in the 70’s-80’s. And it’s a blessing this hasnt because that would be so heartbreaking - if you go here, I am sure you will agree. So 10/10

Tabernacle location: Since this place never has been “wreck-tivated” this church preserves its main high alter and all side alters as originally designed. Most importantly the tabernacle is front and center as it should be. 10/10

Kneeling: This church and it’s parishioners follow the GERM and are reverent to our Lord during concentration and do kneel. 10/10

Reverence: They have become more traditional over the last few years by using the alter rail for communion and doing some masses ad orientem. It is obvious that the people who come from all over to join in the liturgy are intentional about their faith and they display their reverence here. 10/10

Community: There is a community made up of a mix young adults, young couples and older couples. People are intentional about parish life and it’s original home to many polish families with taking on the polish festival every year and having pierogis for sale after mass. Where this parish lacks is a strong committed community- I’ve got the sense that it’s generally made up of people who go there because it’s a nice 10am Sunday morning mass. 8/10

Homily: The homilies are mostly relevant to the gospels or teachings of the church. The parish priest is good, sometime the topic isn’t relevant to the gospel though. 8/10

Kiss of peace: during covid this has been eliminated - n/a

Holding hands during our father is not seen here. 10/10

Clapping/Happy Birthdays: there is none of this non-sense - Thank God. 10/10

Overall, this parish is heading in the right direction with the liturgy and fosters great potiental in growing and drawing in younger families and adults. If you are in Detroit and want to experience a great mass in a beautiful original church - this is one you won’t want to miss.

Total score: 76/80 or...

Healing begins from within, and it takes work. I met 2 beautiful people today, Eric and Kris, they welcomed me into the church with open arms, and allowed me to peacefully fulfill my spiritual needs today. Such and amazing experience. Kris gave me a book called rediscovering the saints, by author Matthew Kelly, I think she could feel that I was finding my way back, and that this book would help me. I made a donation for a candle🕯 I felt happy to receive these blessings, they also offer holy water so I will be returning with a beautiful bottle to collect some. ⛲ Eric gave me the warmest hug I've felt in years, he was really warm and accepting he had the spirit of love and acceptance all over him. He made sure to make me feel welcome and asked me to return anytime I wanted to. Eric and Kris touched my soul. I am so grateful for my...

My grandmother lived right around the corner from this church. She would take me to church with her in the 1950s. I was in awe everytime we went because it is so big and beautiful. She brought an Easter basket with a butter lamb and hard boiled eggs and a ham to be blessed every Easter. She had a pew with her name on it. All my cousins aunts and uncles were married here. My mother was the youngest of Apolonia's eight children and she was married here too. My grandmother immigrated here from Poland to marry my grandfather at the turn of the century...they had never met..but were promised to each other. They married in this church and raised a large Catholic family just around the corner. Her children all attended the church school. I still remember Grandma's beautiful rosaries. I remember her often with a rosary in her hand. I love...