Eucharist is the primary sacrament of Reconciliation.  It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Detroit that those preparing for Eucharist be catechized for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and that an opportunity for celebrating the sacrament be provided before, but separate from, the catechesis and celebration of the Sacrament of Eucharist.  This means that children usually celebrate Reconciliation prior to celebrating First Eucharist.

To register for immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist a member of St. Mary of the Hills must:

1. Be currently enrolled in the Religious Formation program at St. Mary’s or in a Catholic school.
2. Present a copy of Baptismal Certificate if not baptized at St. Mary of the Hills.
3. Faithfully participate in the preparation program and demonstrate a commitment to our Community, and the preparation process.

Eucharist is the sacrament in which the Christian community comes together to celebrate Christ's presence among us.  In the Eucharist we recognize the actions Jesus lived and continues to live today through each of us.  We bring to the celebration of the Eucharist all the experiences of our daily family living.  Nourished by the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, and in the people gathered, we go forth to serve others as Jesus did.

To register for immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation a member of St. Mary of the Hills must:

1. Be currently enrolled in the GIFT program at St. Mary’s or in a Catholic school. Present a copy of Baptismal Certificate if not baptized at St. Mary’s of the Hills.
2. Faithfully participate in the preparation program and demonstrate a commitment to our community, and the preparation process.

Confirmation is the initiation into the adult journey of faith.  This initiation calls the person to become a responsible member of the Christian community by being a disciple of Christ and sharing the “Good News” with others.  Confirmation calls us to go out and serve others.  The celebration is a serious decision and is not to be made lightly.  At the time of registration, the candidate must be committed to making the preparation period the first priority.  Immediate preparation will be offered each year for any member of St. Mary of the Hills who is eligible. The candidate may decide to delay the celebration of this sacrament to a later date. This program spans a two-year period, usually when students are enrolled in grades seven and eight.  All public school and Catholic school students must enroll in both years of preparation.  Further details will be provided, via email, following your enrollment.

To register for immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, a member of St. Mary of the Hills must:

1. Present a copy of Baptismal Certificate if not baptized at St. Mary’s
2. Enroll in the Confirmation Program.
3. Register in the Religious Formation program (if not attending a Catholic school).

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation a candidate must have completed the requirements for Confirmation for each year.

The Church invites you to devote at least six months, and preferably a year, to prepare for your marriage and focus on your relationship. Contact St. Mary of the Hills Parish Office (248-853-5390) to schedule a meeting with the deacon as soon as you become engaged. At this meeting you will:

1. Set the wedding date
2. Complete the church pre-nuptial forms (A-Form)
3. A booklet “Together for Life” is used for planning the Liturgy (there is a Special Edition for Marriage Outside Mass)
4. A booklet “St. Mary of the Hills Wedding Guidelines” has specific St. Mary’s information to assist you in your wedding planning

You will be required to:

1. Acquire Baptismal certificates (dated within six months of marriage)
2. Complete a Pre-Marriage Assessment (St. Mary’s uses “Prepare/Enrich” online) and discuss the results of the Inventory with a Mentor Couple (usually six sessions)
3. Attend a Marriage Preparation Course – A number of Marriage Preparation Programs are offered in various formats throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit which can be accessed at aodonline.org, (A-Z Index at top, go to ‘M’ for Marriage Support/Ministry, then Marriage Preparation at right.)
4. Consult with the parish music minister
5. Obtain marriage license
6. Schedule rehearsal for ceremony
7. Meet with the pastor within a couple weeks of your Sacrament of Marriage

The Archdiocesan website has a vast resource of information and links regarding Marriage.

Marriage Enrichment:

In an effort to help more marriages become “solid and stable”, St. Mary’s has formed a Marriage Ministry Team. Ideally, this team will be made up of 8-10 couples who would identify needs and offer programs, resources, and activities for couples going through the various stages, phases, circumstances and challenges of married life. If you and your spouse have a desire to help strengthen marriages and would be interested in being part of the Marriage Ministry Team, please contact me  Email  or at (248) 243-0260. Marriage Moment Honor your mate’s personality difference. Although the trait that you loved when you were dating can annoy you when you live with it 24/7, use your differences to develop your shadow side and become a fuller person.    ~Susan Vogt, www.susanvogt.net Web Resources for Catholic Marriages Retrouvaille…a Lifeline for Troubled Marriages    – The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It is a lifeline for troubled marriages. It provides the tools for couples to put their marriage in order again. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program. It gives couples the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine their lives together in a new and positive way. Both English and Spanish weekend programs. Worldwide Marriage Encounter   – The Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend is a positive and personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication they can use for the rest of their lives. It’s a chance to look deeply into their marital relationship and their relationship with God. The emphasis is on communication and for couples to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other. Both English and Spanish weekend programs. For Your Marriage – The US Bishops web site for marriages that has an abundance of articles, information, links, newsletter, blogs, and other resources to support couples on the journey of marriage. Whether pre-marriage, newly married, or further along the marriage journey, this web site offers a wealth or practical information and support to strengthen and build Catholic marriages. Both English and Spanish web sites. Marriage: Unique for a Reason – Marriage: Unique for a Reason is an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The web site offers multi-media resources to assist with the education and catechesis of Catholics on why marriage is unique and why it should be promoted and protected as the union of one man and one woman.

Marriage Mentor Program:

If you’re a seasoned, experienced couple that is relatively happy—not perfect, not infallible, but relatively happy and satisfied with your relationship—you have all the qualifications you need to become a marriage mentor couple. All you need is to have lived, experienced a few failures, and learned a few lessons. Mentor couples meet with engaged couples approximately 6 times to share their wisdom as well as their experiences in dealing with such things as communication, in-laws, finances, etc.. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Debra Valot at 248-853-5390 or email

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive.

Like all the sacraments, holy anointing was instituted by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. The Catechism explains, "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord" (CCC 1511; Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14-15). 

The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude. These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’" (Matt. 8:17). 

To have a priest visit a sick parishioner in the hospital, please call the Parish Office.

Discernment Weekends are a unique experience for anyone feeling a call to the priesthood. Spending four days living at the seminary provides you with a firsthand opportunity to see what it’s like from the inside. This weekend provides tools for proper discernment and includes presentations from priests and seminarians, fellowship, and plenty of time for prayer. For more information or to register, visit detroitpriest.com

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron invites you to pray for vocations:

Oh Jesus, our Good Shepherd, bless all our parishes with numerous priests, according to the needs of the entire world, which You love and wish to save.

We especially entrust our community to You; grant us the spirit of the first Christians, so that we may be a cenacle of prayer, in loving acceptance of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Assist our pastors. Guide the steps of those who have responded generously to Your call and are preparing to receive Holy Orders.

Look with love on so many well-disposed young people and call them to follow You. Help them to understand that in You alone can they attain complete fulfillment. To this end, we call on the powerful intercession of Mary, Mother, and Model of all vocations. Amen

If you aren’t Catholic, but would like to be, or if you just want more information on what the Church teaches, I would like to offer you an opportunity to learn more, and to share in some fruitful conversation with others on the same path.  As part of our adult formation in the parish, I am also happy to facilitate the celebration of sacraments for adults, and for others who have been away from the Church for a while.  Please call, and we will work together to find a path that will fit your particular needs. Peggy Casing Director of Religious Formation (248) 844-8662 x-115