Source: Joe Kohn The Michigan CatholicArchbishop Allen Vigneron (second from left) surveys the damage with (from left) dean of studies Fr. Todd Lajiness, the archbishop’s secretary Msgr. John Kasza, and director of undergraduate seminarians Fr. Mark Hamilton
One thing Archbishop Vigneron did not need in this economic downturn is a fire at his seminary.
From the Michigan Catholic:
Continue reading about the Fire at SHMS in the Michigan Catholic (there are many more photos in this link)Detroit -- A fire Thursday night, Feb. 12, burned a hole in the ceiling of the main chapel at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, also causing damage to several pews, the floor, and smoke damage to other pews and the chapel walls.
Seminary rector Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton on Friday morning said the fire apparently was electrical and caused by a light fixture. An assessment of the damage was being conducted, he said, and repairing the damage "is going to entail serious costs."
The hole in the ceiling doesn't expose the chapel to daylight -- the roof is intact above the ceiling -- but pieces from the ceiling fell onto some pews, burning them, and damaged the original floor of the chapel, which was built in the 1920's.
On Friday morning, as Archbishop Allen Vigneron was talking with seminary staff and surveying the damage, the chapel's tabernacle had been emptied and the hymnals were stacked near a side altar.
As bad as the damage was, Msgr. Monforton said it could have been much worse. Seminarians were in the chapel at the time of the fire for Eucharistic Adoration. No smoke or fire detectors went off when the fire started shortly before midnight, but the seminarians and staff were quick to notice and respond.
"I give all credit to Divine Providence that we had men in the chapel at that time," said Msgr. Monforton.
"The fire alarm last evening was human, not mechanical," he added. "It's a great disappointment, yet at the same time I'm very proud of the men and how they responded."
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8 Comments:
Doesn't this have a strange similarity to the Boston fire a week or so ago? Fire inside the roof? Hmmmm.....
Oh My! First chicago, now detroit!?! What is with all of these fires? =D
Atleast no one was hurt, and they were able to stop it before tons of damage was done.
Btw: Wonderful blog! I've been coming here a lot lately.
In Christ-
Nate
Liza, Nate - I agree on the similarity to the fire at Chicago's Cathedral...both roof fires.
Here too, it appears electrical.
Thanks for the compliment Nate. If you are in the metro Detroit area, stop in for Mass sometime at Assumption Grotto. If you are not from Detroit, be sure to visit us if you ever come this way.
Nate - I was going to add you to my blogroll, but it seems that system is still down. I'm trying to figure out if I missed something and whether Blogrolling is gone.
Nice blog and prayers for your vocation!
Diane- Thank you for the prayers.
My family and I have been wanting to visit your parish for some time now. My dad had the wonderful oppurtunity to go there with a family friend over the summer. We are about two hours West of Detriot, but I tell you what! One of these days we'll get up early enough to come(that is, if my dad isn't doing Mass that day =D).
In Christ-
Nate
My prayers go out to you and the parishoners of Assumption Grotto.
Hey - two hours is nothing. We have parishioners that come weekly who are an hour+ away.
Come to the TLM and be sure to bring a hand missal. Father is talking about not having the readings in English any longer since we have had so much time to learn to use missals. Unfortunately, this won't help visitors know the readings.
Oh - and spring when weather is nice is the best time to come. We have BBQ hot dogs, hamburgers, etc throughout the year after the 9:30 and Noon Masses, with only a few exceptions on certain holidays.
It's also worth noting that if you don't get to the 9:30 TLM, we have a reverent, ad orientem celebrated Novus Ordo at Noon, with Latin. Following that on nice days when the temps get into the 70's, we then have a brief Eucharistic procession out to the Grotto after the Noon Mass.
Thanks! Actually- My dad is the guys who sometimes goes on Fr. Z's chat room, and has asked you several times before about it. "Kelly" (idk if you remember). The only thing holding us back is my dad is Schola Director here, so we need a free weekend! =D
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