Noteworthy Highlights on Assumption Grotto’s Pastors

Our 5th Pastor Msgr. Joseph Marx

December 20, 1915 - June 25, 1959

Monsignor Marx the Builder - He served the parish 44 years, longer than any pastor the parish has had. All the present buildings with the exception of the new school addition were planned and built by him. Particularly outstanding for its beauty and size is the present church. Holy Mass was first offered in this church by the pastor on September 22, 1929. Grotto Archives: Ch167-1922

1928 News Article: Announcing the Beginning of the Construction of our present fourth church built by Fr. Marx in August of 1928. The foundation of the new building will seat approx. 1,150 persons, estimated cost of the new structure around $250,000 and is to be completed by next May. The new church will be the fourth erected on the present site since the founding of the parish in the 30s of the last century. The exterior of the new building will be of Indiana Limestone and the interior of Mankato and Kasota stone. The building was designed by Aloys Frank Herman Inc., Detroit Architects. The records of the parish show that when the first brick building was erected after the fire, the bricks used in the building were manufactured at the site of the church. The pastor of the church is the Rev. Joseph S. Marx who has been in charge of the parish since 1915. There are now about 700 families in the parish and the parish school has an enrollment of more than 1,000 children. Grotto Archives #Ch176B-1928

Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicated the church with 24 priests assisting on Memorial Day 1930. Seventy five Knights of St. John in uniform escorted the bishop and clergy from the rectory to the church. 1000 parishioners witnessed the ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, the bishop preached a sermon in which he explained that the cornerstone of a church symbolized Christ. He told 300 children, who were also confirmed on that day, that he marks the cornerstone with 5 crosses for the 5 wounds of Christ. “Hitherto,” he said, “you have been ordinary citizens in the kingdom of God. Now you will be his soldiers. The sacrament of confirmation will flood your souls with special graces and transform them. Every confirmed Catholic should be able to refute the charges made against the church and willing to explain her doctrines. We have the truth and must make it known to the best of our ability. We must fight the battle of God not with rifles and bullets but with the power of knowledge and virtue.” “Christ,” continued the bishop, “tells us that his Father’s house has many mansions and that he would go to prepare a place for us. Our happiness in heaven will depend on our good works here. Those who contributed by their means and by their labor to the erection of a house of God may rest assured that God will reward them a thousand fold.” Paraphrased: Grotto Church Stone Blessed The Michigan Catholic June 5, 1930

Msgr. Marx and Music: Florence Trombly related a little known story that when she was sixteen years old she was practicing on the organ in church for Easter. After practicing for about two hours, she suddenly had the urge to see how jazz would sound on the organ. The windows were open, and by the time she had gotten three quarters of the way through the “St. Louis Blues,” Fr. Marx poked his head in with a big smile. He said: “What are you stopping for? It sounds good.” Then he sat down and asked her to play something fast, so she played the “Twelfth Street Rag.” At the end he clapped for her. She was embarrassed, but he said that since Blessed Sacrament wasn’t there, and no one was in the church to be bothered, it was alright. Another Sister related that he had come over to the school once to listen to the band practice and thrilled them by commenting: “You sound just like Guy Lombardo’s boys.” Grotto Archives: Ch178d-1939

 

Our 6th Pastor

The Most Reverend

Joseph M. Breitenbeck

June 26, 1959 - June 20, 1967

 

1st letter to parishioners: September 8, 1959

My dear Parishioner, When archbishop Dearden appointed me as your pastor on June 26, he placed upon me the serious responsibility before God for the salvation of your soul. With some 4500 Catholic families in Assumption (Grotto) parish, I am deeply conscious of the magnitude of this responsibility. When you walk into the church, look up at the Stations of the Cross. There is indicated what Christ suffered for you. The Holy Mass is the unbloody renewal of that sacrifice bringing Christ, the Son of God, down on our altar. Out of respect for the Mass, will you help to edify your fellow parishioners by being on time for Mass and remaining until the priest has left the sanctuary? No greater gift could be given you than the Blessed Sacrament. It will mean so much for the salvation of your soul and the spiritual good of our parish if you will make a sincere effort before God to receive Holy Communion each time you attend Mass. The two requirements are 1) the state of grace and 2) fasting three hours from solid foods and one hour from non-alcoholic liquids. Water may be taken any time. Your friendship with God is the most important thing in your life. It is the prayer of your priests that you will maintain that friendship through the regular reception of the sacrament of Penance. You will be pleased to know that more confessors will be available and that confessions will be heard more often during the week. I am deeply impressed with our chosen members who attend daily Mass and Communion. With God's help may you continue this wonderful practice and may others of the parish make the sacrifice to join you. Will you remember in your daily prayers the assistants and myself so that we, with your help, may promote the salvation of the souls of the people of Assumption

(Grotto) Parish. Cordially yours in Christ,

(Rt. Rev. Msgr.) J.M. Breitenbeck -Pastor Grotto Archives #Ch192q-1959

Grotto News article 10/24/1965 by Fr Italo Tuci: "...Avanti! Pandemonium began to reign on Wednesday morning at 9a.m. the news was made public that our Pastor, Monsignor Breitenbeck, was made a Bishop! The news spread like wild fire through the rectory and the schools. Calls tied up the telephone lines for hours. The joy felt by everyone was indescribable. Monsignor, or rather, Bp. elect Breitenbeck seemed to feel a mixture of joyful gratefulness together with a foreshadowing of future responsibilities. Needless to say, we extend our cordial and warm hearted greetings, assuring of our continued remembrance in our prayers that an abundance of God's blessings may be constantly with him..." "...The honor bestowed upon our pastor is a great one indeed. But the responsibilities that will rest upon his shoulders and conscience are equally great. Like St. Paul, he also asks for our prayers, lest perhaps after preaching to others, I myself should be rejected.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency! Be assured that we all rejoice over the honor bestowed upon you. May God's choicest blessings be yours and may our Blessed Mother guard and guide you in your future responsibilities."



Our 7th Pastor

Fr. Raymond Maiberger

June 20, 1967– December 16, 1968

Excerpt from Grotto Bulletin June 18, 1967: New Pastor to be Installed: The Rt. Rev. Archibald Stitt, dean of the East Central Deanery, has set Tuesday evening, June 20, for the installation of Fr. Raymond Maiberger as pastor of Assumption Grotto Parish. In attendance will be our resigning pastor, Bishop Breitenbeck, as well as the assistant pastors presently assigned. Fr. Maiberger will then celebrate the regular Tuesday evening Mass. Following the Mass, the new pastor will be presented to the parishioners by Bp. Breitenbeck at a brief reception in the Activities Building. It is our fervent wish that as many as possible will be on hand to make our new pastor welcome. The same reception will be an opportunity for our parishioners to extend their best wishes to Fr. Tucci as he leaves Assumption (Grotto) to take up his duties as  pastor of St. Anne’s Parish, Detroit Beach, Michigan. Fr. Maiberger was ordained in 1942, having completed his theology course at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Norwood, OH. His first assignments as assistant pastor were to St. Charles, St. Alphonsus, Dearborn, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parishes. Later he was pastor of Our Lady of Victory parish and comes to us now from St. Boniface parish which was consolidated with old St. Vincent’s parish. At St. Boniface he was responsible for the diocesan high school formed out of St. Vincent’s, St Boniface and Holy Trinity parishes. How Blessed you are in receiving one for your pastor who is truly Christ like, dedicated to the people who form the flock of God. Like myself he has been ordained twenty-five years. Grotto Archives #Ch222-1967 Excerpts from the Grotto Bulletin of December 22, 1968.

The Associate Fr. Browne writes briefly: "By now all of you know that Father Maiberger has passed from this life and has entered eternal life. His death was not entirely unexpected, because complications arose during his final days at Providence Hospital but death did come more suddenly than expected. Father breathed his last at 5:00 p.m. on Monday December 16, 1968. Though he was at the Grotto just a short 18 months, he endeared himself to all the parishioners, young and old. His health had not been good for the past several years; yet he pushed himself doing the "work of the Lord," until he could push no longer. He will be long remembered by the many friends he made here, and at the other parishes where he was assigned. We feel fittingly his final resting place will be in the Grotto Cemetery, where he will live in the hearts and the memories of the people whom he served, and whom he loved. Please continue to remember him in your prayers. May he rest in peace. But life is to be lived and life at Grotto Parish must go on.” Then after giving his Christmas prayer for the parish he signs: God Bless. Fr. Browne. Note: When he came to Grotto in 1967, Father Maiberger was already suffering from leukemia, the disease to which he would succumb only a year later. The grace with which he endured his suffering and his good humor and courage set an enduring example for his parishioners. When he died, the fountain in front of the shrine was removed so that he could be buried there, and a flower garden was planted around his grave. Later when the Grotto was renovated his body was moved near the cemetery entrance, next to the grave of Fr. Vandendriessche. Paraphrased from 11D-1982 History pg. 138

 

Our 8th Pastor

Msgr. Clifford Sawher

February 9, 1969 - July 1, 1994

Msgr. Sawher was born in St. Clair Michigan in 1919. He was raised a Lutheran, but was drawn to Catholicism in the course of his studies in the engineering school of the University of Detroit. His education and vocation were interrupted by events leading up to the second world war. He joined the national guard which became part of the army and he had to leave school. He would contract tuberculosis and he was placed on the casualty list ending up at Utah State College. While in Utah living in the home of a Mormon elder, he joined the Catholic Church. Before leaving the army he decided to enter the seminary. He entered St. Mary’s College, in St. Mary Kentucky and enrolled in their Latin Course. For philosphy which was then taught in Latin, Cardinal Mooney suggested that he come back to Sacred Heart Seminary. Fr. Sawher was ordained by Cardinal Mooney on June 7, 1952. His first three assignments were at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Holy Name and Presentation Parishes. He also was assistant pastor of Assumption Grotto under Msgr. Breitenbeck. In 1965 Fr. Sawher was given the rank of papal Chamberlain, and the title of Very Reverend Monsignor. On the day of Fr. Maibergers’s funeral, Father Erwin Bauer, a former assistant, said to Monsignor, “You will be coming back to theGrotto as its next pastor.” Msgr. Sawher did not believe it. He had new programs in the Family Life bureau that were just getting underway. In January of 1969 he was called into Cardinal Dearden’s office and given his new assignment. On February 9th he was installed as our eighth pastor. If there was any one area he has stressed during his pastorate it has been to bring about the return for reverence for Jesus in the Eucharist in the sacrifice of the Mass or reserved in the tabernacle. His own personal devotion to the Blessed Mother was evident at his first Mass as pastor when he announced that he would reinstitute the Perpetual Help Devotions. Over the years many of his contributions have been in practical improvements in the church and on the grounds. He has been instrumental in directing efforts to the discovery of over 2000 burial sites in the Cemetery generating interest in parishioners and non parishioners alike. Paraphrased from 11D-1982 History

 

 

Our 9th Pastor Rev. Eduard Perrone July 1, 1994 - Present

Fr. Perrone's years at Grotto may best be left to historical perspective. However, looking at the past 13 years, our parish has truly been blessed to have him for pastor. The phrase that may best describes his pastorate is Ephesians 1:10 “...to restore all things in Christ.” Fr. Perrone has worked to restore reverence in all aspects of the liturgy giving the Latin language a place of honor in the liturgical celebrations of the parish. He has incorporated sacred music specifically Gregorian chant into the Masses. His homilies, classes and writings reflect a high regard for the churches liturgy and knowledge of sacred scripture. He has successfully under taken the Restoration of the Grotto and the Cemetery, a huge project that restored the Grotto almost to its original condition. Over time he slowly began to clean and renew the church interior. The stained glass windows were re-leaded and new flooring and kneelers were installed in time for the 175th anniversary celebrations. We thank God for giving us a Pastor who has enabled us to experience a little bit of Heaven in the present liturgical desert. Lrd-2007