Episcopal Vicar of Windsor to Celebrate EF Mass

Tridentine Community News (April 15, 2012):

Long-time readers of this column will recognize the name of Fr. James Roche. During the challenging early years of the Windsor Tridentine Mass, before a Mass debuted in the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Extraordinary Form had a friend in the Episcopal Vicar of Windsor. In 2003, when the Windsor Latin Mass Community was seeking a more appropriate home than the Villa Maria Nursing Home Chapel, Fr. Roche welcomed the community to relocate to the far more fitting St. Michael’s Church. In 2007 he paved the way for its second upgrade, to Assumption Church.

Though not initially familiar with the Traditional Mass, Fr. Roche has always made himself available to lend a helping hand with administrative, diocesan, and operational matters. Vestments, altar cards, Communion patens, and even the beautiful torch [candle] set now used at Assumption have suddenly appeared at our doorstep, donations quietly arranged by Fr. Roche over the years. He could often be seen in the back of St. Michael’s Church participating in the Holy Mass, and still pops in to Assumption from time to time to make sure things are running smoothly. Readers on the U.S. side of the river might recognize the Boston-born Fr. Roche from his longtime panelist role on the Comcast cable television program Interfaith Odyssey, on which he represents the Christian perspective.

Fr. Roche has long been curious to learn the Extraordinary Form, and we are pleased to announce that he will be taking that step. On Sunday, May 13 at 2:00 PM, Fr. Roche will celebrate his first Tridentine Mass at Windsor’s Assumption Church. A reception will follow. Please join us and thank this kind priest who is a model for diocesan liaisons to Latin Mass Communities.

Juventutem-Michigan to Hold First Mass on April 27

Readers may recall the report Paul Schultz filed last summer following his participation in the Juventutem program at World Youth Day 2011. Juventutem is an international organization of young adults who have an affinity for the Traditional Latin Mass. Originally founded to hold events in the Extraordinary Form at World Youth Day, Juventutem chapters across the globe now sponsor a variety of activities year-round.

Perhaps the highest-profile chapter is Juventutem-London, which sponsors pro-life events, pilgrimages, and Solemn High Masses followed by dinners on the Fourth Fridays of each month. Their blog, http://juventutemlondon.blogspot.com/, is a dazzling diary of liturgical and social events, talks, and theological reflections.

The Juventutem movement has been relatively slow to gain momentum in North America, but the intrepid Mr. Schultz, the entrepreneurial founder of Una Voce-Ann Arbor and Generation Christ, intends to change that situation. Even pre-Juventutem, Paul was bringing young adults to St. Josaphat once per month for weekday High Masses; the adjacent photo was taken this past October. On March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, Juventutem headquarters approved the formation of a chapter to serve young adults in southeastern Michigan and southwestern Ontario.


Following the lead of the London chapter, the first official Mass of Juventutem-Michigan will be held at St. Josaphat Church on the Fourth Friday of this month, Friday, April 27, at 7:00 PM. Faithful of all ages are invited to the Mass, a Missa Cantata to be celebrated by Fr. Lee Acervo. Young adults aged 18-35 are invited to a dinner in the St. Josaphat Social Hall after the Mass, at which plans for future Juventutem events will be discussed.

For more information about Juventutem-Michigan, see their web site www.juventutemmichigan.com, their Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter.

Next St. Hyacinth Mass in Two Weeks

The next Mass in the Extraordinary form at St. Hyacinth Church will be held in two weeks, on Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 PM. The celebrant will be Fr. Pieter van Rooyen.

Tridentine Masses This Coming Week

Mon. 04/16 7:00 PM: Low Mass at St. Josaphat (Feria of Paschaltide [Celebrant may choose a Votive Mass])

Tue. 04/17 7:00 PM: High Requiem Mass at Assumption-Windsor (Daily Mass for the Dead)

Sun. 04/22 Noon: High Mass at St. Albertus (Second Sunday After Easter)

[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@stjosaphatchurch.org. Previous columns are available at www.stjosaphatchurch.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Josaphat bulletin insert for April 15, 2012. Hat tip to A.B.]