Magnificent Humanity

The “Magnifica Humanitas” encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIV on May 25 is hailed by many as providing a “moral roadmap” for the rapidly changing technological age.  “Magnifica Humanitas”  is Latin for “Magnificent Humanity”.  It is characterized by one prominent cleric as “the most cogent Catholic critique of capitalism that I have ever read”.

It focusses on the social and ethical implications of new artificial intelligence (AI).  It is a lengthy document.  But at core, it reaffirms and updates the values central to the formation of Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary more than 75 years ago … that the Word of God calls on us to to witness:

• • • • • • • Universal Love – We are One
            •  Care for the Poor
            •  Justice and Peace

Magnifica Humanitas explores whether AI systems promote human flourishing and protect the dignity of real people.  But it goes beyond AI and addresses a wide range of issues including labor rights, democracy, truth, social inequality, environmental degradation and armed conflict.  Pope Leo articulates that these challenges are connected by a single principle:  THE INHERENT DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN BEING.  The encyclical evokes the centrality of the human person.  It affirms Catholic Church doctrine on

• Common good,
• Love,
• Justice,
• Dialog, and
• Shared responsibility.

Click and read the encyclical text, news and opinions linked below:

https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

https://www.jesuits.org/stories/jesuits-and-lay-collaborators-react-to-pope-leos-encyclical-on-ai/

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnifica_humanitas

https://www.ucanews.com/news/catholic-scholars-hail-pope-leos-ai-encyclical-as-moral-roadmap/113756

The U.S. Conference of Bishops sent a letter to U.S. Congress almost exactly a year ago on June 9, 2025, expressing similar thoughts and principles concerning AI.  It advocated:

• Dignity of the Human Person,
• Care for the Poor,
• Respect for the Truth

See: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/us-bishops-tell-congressional-leadership-ai-must-serve-all-humanity

In a serendipitous event, Pope Leo will be honored on July 3, 2026, as recipient of The (U.S.) National Constitution Center’s annual Liberty Medal which honors men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the globe. On July 3, 2026, the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the Center will award the 38th annual Liberty Medal to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world—ideals enshrined by America’s founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  

See Liberty Medal Honoring His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

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Mass of Resurrection, May 2, 2026

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI

Sr. Mary Frances Roberts will forever be remembered for her gentleness, wisdom, friendliness, faithfulness to the Church and the community. We give thanks for Sr. Mary Frances’ loving kindness shown in her caring ways.

May she rest in peace with the Lord.

Receive her soul, present her now to God the Lord most high

Her quite voice spoke volumes to many

Sr. Mary Frances Roberts was born 06/27/1931. She was the first of three daughters of George and Laura Roberts. She grew up in Grosse Pointe Woods in a log cabin that was on Lake Shore Drive across from Lake Saint Clair. She went to school at Grosse Pointe South High School.  Her college education was at Marygrove.  She entered the Home Visitors of Mary in 1953 and made her final vows in November 1969.

She served doing pastoral ministry at St Agnes, St Gregory, St George parishes, just to mention a few and also at the Catholic Information Center bookstore in downtown Detroit.   She was also a PRH facilitator for many years.

She served the Home Visitors of Mary community as Administrator and other leadership positions and as a dedicated sister.  She evangelized in the city in a person-centered way and aimed to build community, enculturate the faith and collaborate with lay leadership. She enjoyed reaching out to people in their homes and welcoming them to the nearby Catholic Church.

Our beloved Sister.  May Christ, who called you, take you home.

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If you  love me … feed my flock. 

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop receiving Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

Sr. Mary Frances Roberts, HVM passed to her eternal reward on April 29 after 16 months in a nursing facility. Her birth family (nieces and nephews) and religious family walked with Mary Frances, especially the past two weeks.

Sr. Mary Frances will be buried Saturday, May 2,2026, from the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, 9844 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48202.  Family hour is at 9:00 a.m.

The Eucharist, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will be celebrated by Fr. Marko of St. Moses the Black. A light brunch will be served after Mass before going to Holy Sepulcher cemetery.

Google Maps

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop receiving Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

Act Quickly.  Don’t miss our 20th Fundraising Gala.

Sunday, April 19, 2026.  2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

St. Mary Cultural Center

 18100 Merriman Road 

Between 6 Mile and 7 Mile Road

Livonia, MI

With great gratitude, Sisters Home Visitors of Mary celebrate Fr. Edward Zaorski’s pastoral care and leadership.  The Home Visitors first encountered Fr. Zaorski years ago at St. Bernard Center on Detroit’s East Side collaborating with Al McNeeley, a pioneer in Black Catholic Ministries.    Fr. Ed annually invited the HVM to speak about our Nigerian mission at Sts. Andrew and Benedict .   More recently he invited Sr. Clare, HVM, to share ministry at St. James, Novi, where she participates daily in the parish community.

Tickets to the Gala honoring this man of vision may be purchased online by credit card using the donate tab here > Donate.   Please include full name & address along with a note mentioning that donation is for Gala. 

Or if you act quickly you can write a note or print the coupon below and mail to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary at 18024 Fairfield, Detroit, MI  48221.

Hope to See You There!

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

Medical Outreach in Gboko

Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary are pleased to share photos of Sr. Mercy Baaki, HVM, working at medical outreach event in Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria. The outreach was organized to improve access to healthcare services, especially for the poor members of the community and identify common health challenges within the area. Over 5,000 people benefitted from the outreach in Gboko and 3 nearby communities.

Overview

Sr. Mercy Baaki, HVM. Sr. Mercy is also a Nurse.

Sr. Mercy Baaki, HVM testing patient

Children, pregnant women, elderly persons and low-income families specially benefitted. The most common health conditions identified included: Malaria, Typhoid, Upper respiratory tract infections, Hypertension and Gastrointestinal infections.

Baby and mother being tested

The medical outreach was funded by a grant obtained through International Union of Superiors General, (UISG) Rome. We are deeply grateful. The grant made this medical outreach possible and helped expand access to essential healthcare services, especially to the poor members of the community.

Unloading supplies

The Home Visitors first encountered Fr. Zaorski at St. Bernard Center collaborating with Al McNeeley, a pioneer in Black Catholic Ministries.    Fr. Ed annually invited the HVM to speak at Sts. Andrew and Benedict about our Nigerian mission. He invited Sr. Clare, HVM, to share ministry at St. James, Novi, which has held two fundraisers for our communities in Nigeria. With great gratitude, we celebrate Fr. Edward Zaorski’s pastoral care and leadership; a man of vision who respects diversity.

Tickets may be purchased online by credit card using the donate tab here > Donate.   (Please include note mentioning that donation is for Gala tickets.)  Or by mail using form below. 

Hope to See You There!

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

Happy Easter 2026.  May Peace fill your heart and home.

“Do you love me?”  “Feed my sheep.”  The Risen Jesus called out to the apostles who were back doing the work they knew, fishing, casting out their nets.  John 21:15.

May we too hear the Lord Jesus and courageously cast our nets, living the love of Jesus for all … especially the poor, the imprisoned, the immigrant.

Pope Leo prays that the Spirit will inspire us to walk our journey in solidarity so that life may be abundant. May God reign in us so our neighborhood and our world may be a place of universal togetherness, justice, peace and dignity for all.  (CF: Dilexi Te. Pope Leo)

Will your nets be full and your heart expand with great love for the Risen Lord in His Body?  When we answer along with Peter, “Yes, Lord, you know I do.”, it means we will serve our neighbor, the poor and oppressed.  

May life spring up abundantly!  News from Nigeria.

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, in an opinion piece in the Detroit Free Press on Sunday, February 3, 2026, expressed his beliefs regarding immigrants and current events related to enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

“When I look at the totality of the situation, I am dumbfounded and deeply disturbed.”

“I find myself asking if our nation is losing its very soul.”

“I join my voice to the growing number of those who have expressed grave concern for what is happening in our midst.”

“These issues are fundamental to the disciple of Jesus Christ.  What we do to the least among us we do to Him.”

Read entire opinion by clicking here.

REMINDER … Reflection on Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 AM in Blessed Sacrament basement meeting room.  The historic and beautiful apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te, which Pope Francis began before his death and Pope Leo recently finished will be discussed, led by Fr. David Buersmeyer … Christ’s love for the poor and the call for the Church to renew its commitment to those most in need. We begin at 10 AM in the lower level meeting room and finish with a light lunch.

Saturday, February 7, 2026. 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Free & secure parking in adjacent Bless Sacrament Cathedral parking lot..

 Speakers. Shared Table discussions. Personal Reflections.  No $ fee.

Hope to See You There!

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary invite you to Saturday morning reflection on “Delexi Te” (I Have Loved You), Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation. 

Saturday.  February 7, 2026.  10:00 am.  Mark your calendar.

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. Basement meeting room. 

‘Delexi Te’ is an important letter to all Christians on the theme of service to the poor. It was begun by Pope Francis and finished by Pope Leo. It calls on Catholics to eradicate unjust social structures that contribute to poverty; so that we learn to approach each person with dignity and the same love that Christ has for that person .  “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brother and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”

Saturday, February 7, 2026. 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Free & secure parking in adjacent Bless Sacrament Cathedral parking lot..

 Speakers. Shared Table discussions. Personal Reflections.  No $ fee.

Sisters HVM are very pleased to have Fr. David Buersmeyer lead us in this Saturday morning reflection. Fr. Buersmeyer is a well-known speaker on Catholic Social Teachings.   See https://www.churchworldkingdom.org

Click links below for additional information on Delexi Te:

Delexi Te summary

CNN news article

US Conference of Bishops: “May it call us to renewal of our Church and society so that we learn to approach each person with the same love Christ has for that person.”

Text of Delexi Te

RSVP appreciated:  313-340-9998.    No $ charge.  Free will offerings appreciated.  

Hope to See You There!

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com

The Sisters Home Visitors of Mary in Detroit are moving!

In response to changing space and location considerations, the Sisters Home Visitors of Mary are moving from their current residence at 121 E. Boston Boulevard, Detroit, to a smaller residence in the University of Detroit neighborhood north of W McNichols Six Mile Road.

SHVM supporters well remember 121 E. Boston Boulevard as the one-time home of Joseph L. Hudson and  the location where J.L. Hudson’s beloved niece Eleanor Lowthian (Hudson) Clay was wedded to Henry Ford’s only son Edsel Ford.  Click here  for more fascination history.  And click here to take a virtual photo tour of parts of this beautiful early 20th century mansion home.

121 E. Boston Blvd

An ESTATE SALE will be held at 121 E. Boston, daily, Thursday, November 13 through Sunday, November 16, to dispose of the numerous items what will not be moved to the new location. This is your chance to visit or re-visit the historic 121 E. Boston property and explore all 4 stories of the spacious building that was so much a part of Detroit history. A nominal cash entry fee will be charged.

Items for sale will include housewares, artwork, 1000’s of books, some furniture items, file cabinets, book cases, office supplies and more.  Find the perfect treasure, keepsake, Christmas gift!  Everything must go!  Proceeds will support the SHVM Nigerian mission.

Plenty of safe and secure parking is available in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral parking lot. Enter 121 E. Boston Boulevard through the back gate from the parking lot.

The new SHVM residence is at 18024 Fairfield, Detroit, MI 48221.

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If you love me … feed my flock.  

Click here to view the entire Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary website.

Click here to donate to Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary.

If you wish to stop Sisters Home Visitors of Mary news in the future, let us know via email to shvmblog@yahoo.com