Planting seeds of faith in Motown's fertile soil

Father Jeffrey Day, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Detroit, has served as chaplain of Legatus’ Detroit NE Chapter since 2017.
 
The son of a beer truck driver, Fr. Day was ordained a priest in 1999. He has served as a pastor, including for St. Sebastian Parish in Dearborn Heights where he was baptized, and in a variety of capacities for the archdiocese, including as ecumenical and interreligious officer.
 
What have been your greatest rewards and challenges as a priest?
 
The greatest rewards come from the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and hearing Confessions. There is nothing like handling the Body and Blood of our Lord and being His instrument for divine mercy in the confessional.

The most challenging aspects are the “relationship management” components, especially when I must share the news that a particular employee needs to move on from the parish or organization.
 
How is interest in priestly vocations faring in the Archdiocese of Detroit?

We could use more, to be honest. This past Pentecost was the first time in a long while that we had no priestly ordinations. Rather than ignore this reality, we have embarked on a Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. Our hope is to double our number of men in formation, which currently is in the low 20s, within the next few years.
 
Tell me about the “Unleash the Gospel” initiative in the archdiocese.
 
The movement began about eight years ago, when Archbishop Allen Vigneron called for a year of prayer to the Holy Spirit to renew our local Church. We discerned that there would be an archdiocesan synod followed by a coming together for a weekend in which synod members would share how the Holy Spirit was speaking to the Church of Detroit to renew her missionary zeal.
 
It has been a wonderful time of “moving from maintenance to mission,” which we take seriously and not just as a slogan. We strive to reclaim the original Great Commission given by Jesus to the early Church to “go make disciples.” We are more interested now in creating disciples for Jesus rather than merely maintaining existing structures. This means that we have had to let go of some old ways of doing things in order to be on mission.
 
You are a certified Master Gardener. What led you to that?

I became one while I was still a pastor. It was a great way to bond with my parents, who took the course with me, and also helped me to be involved with our gardening group at the parish.
 
One of my first pastors after I was ordained was a Master Gardener, and he instilled in me the need for our parish grounds to be beautiful as a way of giving honor to God and allowing parishioners to be involved and to take pride in their campus.
 
You also have a particular devotion to the souls in purgatory. How do you practice that devotion?

In my daily prayers for the holy souls, I also ask for their prayers for the ministry I am engaged with in the Church. I highly encourage Catholics to pray for the holy souls and to not assume that our deceased loved ones are already in heaven. We do a great act of charity by praying for the deceased. We should remember them often, especially since we will one day be in need of such prayers after we die.

What has been your experience of Legatus?

This has been an enriching experience, as I have learned to appreciate more and more the unique gifts and talents that people in business can share with the Church. I have learned many things about organizational health and good management from Legatus members, and I have been edified by the fine speakers we have heard over the years.