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 whimsical experience shaped what would become a lifelong vocation.

(4:34) Mother Mary Therese talks about her certainty, as a young girl, that she wanted to be a “Carmelite” — not necessarily a nun — and how her understanding of the vocation grew as she did. After high school, she joined the cloistered order and found her “forever home”: a 12-acre, picturesque monastery she now calls “heaven on earth.”

(8:06) Mother Mary Therese describes the rhythm of life and patterns of prayer, work, rest and recreation inside the cloistered monastery. She talks about the challenges the nuns face in supporting themselves, and how they seek to keep their primary task — intercessory prayer — at the forefront of their minds.

(13:05) We meet another cloistered nun, Sr. Dominic Maria of St. Michael, the 37-year-old vocations director for the Cloistered Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills, the largest cloistered community in the Archdiocese of Detroit. As a rare younger vocation, Sr. Dominic discusses her path to cloistered life and how some people “are astonished” at the sight of a young cloistered nun.

(15:04) Sr. Dominic and Mother Mary Therese each discuss the misconceptions surrounding modern cloistered life — namely, that it is a drab, isolated life devoid of vibrancy and fun. Both nuns insist nothing could be further from the truth.

(18:46) While silence is essential to the nuns’ prayer — and something the modern, technology-soaked world sorely lacks — Mother Mary Therese says cloistered life is also an active one filled with work, laughter, joy, reading, hobbies, games and celebration.

(24:21) Mother Mary Therese and Sr. Dominic talk about why prayer is so central to the nuns’ vocation, and how cloistered life is a special response to God’s invitation to be close to Him in all things, as radical as it is countercultural. And both say they couldn’t imagine life any other way.

Reporting by Gabriella Patti; script and narration by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

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Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

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 discusses the topic of the episode — young adult ministry in the Archdiocese of Detroit, particularity in the city itself — and how ministries for this group have been woefully overlooked in past decades.

(4:17) Beth Allison, director of parish mission and operations for St. Aloysius Parish in the heart of downtown Detroit, talks about how the parish has seen a demographic shift since young professionals began moving into the city within the past 10 years.

(12:03) Not every parish, like St. Aloysius, is full of young adults in a transient stage in their life. At many parishes, young adults seem to get lost in a mix of ministries catering to people of all ages and states, including the elderly, established families and children’s ministries. Patrick Howard, young adult ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Detroit, explains the challenges.

(16:09) Howard talks about how young adults seek connection with others, which means parishes and ministries must establish robust means of communication, from social media to websites where young adults can quickly and easily find information.

(17:19) Howard reflects on the misperception that to attract young adults, parishes must mimic the culture and provide trendier liturgies and activities. Instead, he says, young adults seek the timeless truths of the Catholic faith and respond to solid catechesis and opportunities to engage in the sacraments.

(20:57) Studies show young adults in today’s generation are experiencing record levels of loneliness, and Howard says this is where the Church has a golden opportunity to evangelize. He suggests parishes and dioceses feel hopeful about the future and seize the chance to provide a sense of belonging for this critical generation.

Reporting by Daniel Meloy; narration and script by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn

Lourdes Senior Community, sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace and established on the timeless principles of the Gospel of Jesus, encompasses 35 acres of serene lakefront property, offering a broad continuum of care for seniors and their families. Their dedicated team, inspired by the spirit of compassion and service, honors the uniqueness of each individual with unwavering respect and dignity. Whether you're seeking worry-free independent apartments, assisted living, memory care, or rehabilitation services, Lourdes is here to help you write your next chapter. Call (248) 886-5600 and schedule your tour today.

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

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 Trapp. Marshall and fellow parishioner Brian McCullough Jr. talk about what the parish meant to Msgr. Trapp — who died in January — and what he meant to them.

(3:01) Other parishioners and friends, including Nick Waller and Karl Finkbeiner, a seminarian who was mentored by Msgr. Trapp, talk about the priest’s ubiquitous presence in the east-side Detroit neighborhood, and his welcoming nature to all whom he encountered.

(6:21) Genevieve Kocourek, evangelization coordinator at the parish, and McCullough talk about Msgr. Trapp’s quiet, persistent approach to evangelization. McCullough, a Baptist convert to Catholicism, talks about how Msgr. Trapp influenced his own conversion.

(10:20) Friends and parishioners recall how Msgr. Trapp looked out for the less fortunate in his neighborhood, including a warming shelter at the parish during the colder months. Kocourek talks about his solidarity with the city’s African-American community and his response to national tragedies impacting the Black community, including the deaths of George Floyd and Tyre Nichols.

(16:36) Marshall relays how Msgr. Trapp became a father figure to her, counseling her as a young person and grieving with her when her grandmother passed away. Waller and McCullough remember Msgr. Trapp’s counsel when he was experiencing a difficult time in life.

(23:46) Finkbeiner recalls Msgr. Trapp’s care and concern for him as a seminarian during spiritual direction. Danielle Center talks about how Msgr. Trapp’s encouragement helped her start a new ministry during a pivotal time.

(27:07) Kocourek talks about Msgr. Trapp’s care and concern for parishioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(29:40) The interviewees each remember Msgr. Trapp’s workmanlike attitude toward the priesthood. Without overdoing it, he had a knack for leading by example and showing Christ-like care and concern for each person he encountered.

(33:12) The interview subjects react to Msgr. Trapp’s passing and reflect on how he’ll be remembered for generations.

Reporting and script by Casey McCorry; narration by Leah Butalid; production by Ron Pangborn

This episode of Detroit Stories is proudly sponsored by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan – the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Engage in the practice of the corporal works of mercy within your community! To begin your journey of involvement and compassion, visit CCSEM.org today and select “Get Involved.”

Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.