Wyandotte, Mich.

BY EMILY ORTEGA

Just as few people recognize a prophet in their midst (see Luke 4:24), few parishioners see the greatness in their home church — magnificent though it may be to out-of-towners.

I grew up just a half-mile from my family’s parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wyandotte, Mich. Now that I have been gone for nearly 10 years, am married and have a family of my own, I realize that it remains one of the most beautiful parish churches I’ve ever worshipped in.

It’s distinguished not only by its art, architecture and history, but also by its pastor and people. They remain dedicated to sustaining their faith, their Polish culture and the traditions of the parish more than a century after its founding.

They’ll have something special to celebrate on July 16, feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

And what a place in which to celebrate the sacraments.

The noble, red-brick structure with twin spires rises over a grassy boulevard shaded by grand old oaks, elms and maples. Since the building pre-dates the street, it seems fitting that the landscape should so neatly complement the church to which it leads. 

Inside, newly restored stained-glass windows allow the light to enter only through their majestic holy images. Rich works of sacred art fill each niche, corner and wall of the cruciform interior. Realistic statues and images of saints and biblical scenes offer formation and inspiration to all who pause to consider them.

When the parish was founded in 1899, it was the third Catholic church in a small community. Mass was already available in German and Irish “flavors,” but the Poles wanted a home where their unique customs and observances would be the norm.

The original cornerstone bears the Polish name Matki Bozej Szkaplerznej (Our Lady of the Scapular), as well as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which in English is the church’s official name.

The Polish heritage of the parish is strongly evident to this day. The 10 a.m. Sunday Mass is celebrated in Polish, as are some of the weekly devotional prayer meetings and parts of every Mass at celebrations of major holy days.

The entire neighborhood in the shadow of the church was once Polish, and much of it retains the character in which it was built. A Polish bakery across the street flourishes, doing especially brisk business just before Lent. Folks like to stock up on paczki, the traditional jelly donut eaten on Fat Tuesday.

The old Polish butcher’s shop closed several years ago, but a new Polish deli down the block seems to be thriving. And a Polish tavern a few doors down is something of a social center.

What’s in a Street Name?

Given how strongly connected parishioners feel to the distinctly Polish past of their spiritual home, the parish-wide devotion to Pope John Paul II you find here comes as no surprise.

In 2002, the pastor, Father Walter Ptak, wanted to make this devotion part of the parish’s Christian witness. Without much ado, he petitioned the mayor of Wyandotte to change the name of the street on which the church sits. Just as quietly, city trucks came and replaced the old “Superior Ave.” street signs at the corner with handsome new ones reading “Pope John Paul II Ave.”

When asked what prompted him to request a name change for a key section of an old city street, the priest replied: “Well, I meant to do it sooner, when [parishioner] Larry Stec was still mayor. Then I would have asked for the entire length of Superior to be changed.”

In October 2004, Father Ptak was proud to unveil a magnificent, bronze statue of Pope John Paul adjacent to the church. He commissioned the sculpture from Czeslaw Dzwigaj of Krakow. The artist and professor was recommended for the project by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the former personal secretary to Pope John Paul II who is now Krakow’s archbishop. (Of course, Pope John Paul was himself archbishop of Krakow before being elected pope.)

The statue portrays not the aged Pope of recent memory, but the youthful and vigorous man who visited Michigan in 1987. At that time, Father Ptak was a transitional deacon who had the privilege of reading the Gospel during one of the Masses celebrated by the Holy Father.

I, too, saw the Holy Father during that trip. As a 9-year-old, I recall pleading with my parents to allow me to join them when they attended his Mass. They submitted, but I was still younger than the age limit set by our parish. The parish granted me the necessary ticket on the condition that I submit a report of my impressions to appear in the parish bulletin. I happily agreed.

So many people in the area had the opportunity to see the Holy Father when he blessed our hometown with his visit. This towering likeness surely calls to mind personal experiences and happy memories for many of its viewers. The 9-foot statue depicts the Pope vested for Mass with his right hand raised in benediction. His right foot is raised as he moves forward, inviting all to come to Christ.

Memories by the Million

The parish thrives on its spiritual traditions as well as its cultural ones.

The people observe the 40 Hours Eucharistic devotion on the same weekend each year. (This tradition has continued longer, says Father Ptak, “than the memory of our oldest parishioner can recall.”) Tuesday nights see a small, faithful contingent gather in the church for devotional prayers to Our Lady, followed by Eucharistic Benediction. And, each day at noon and 6 p.m., the church bells resound throughout the neighborhood, calling all within earshot to remember to pray the Angelus.

Every visit to Our Lady of Mount Carmel inspires me to appreciate the beauty of the place and the depth of the congregation’s devotion. I am reminded to renew my prayer of thanksgiving in gratitude for growing up in such a remarkable parish.

Here I have prayed during the confirmations of my four younger brothers, my father’s first Mass as a permanent deacon, my own wedding and the first Mass of my older brother upon his ordination to priesthood — not to mention countless Christmases, Easters, family celebrations and more “regular” Masses than I could ever recall. All in this beautiful, humble, reverent church.

Sometimes, there really is no place like home.

Emily Ortega writes from

Stanford, California.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

976 Pope John Paul II Ave.
Wyandotte, MI 48192

(734) 284-9135

ourladyofmountcarmel.org

Planning Your Visit

Daily Mass is celebrated Mon.-Fri. at 6:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 5 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m. (in Polish), noon and 5 p.m. The parish holds an annual Polish festival each summer. Call or check the online bulletin for details.