Our Lady of Hope – Hispanic Section Dedication

Brownstown Township — Bishop Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, will bless and dedicate a new Hispanic section at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery following a 10 a.m. Mass on Saturday, June 24. The opening of this section marks a significant milestone for the Hispanic Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Detroit and for the Brownstown cemetery which is owned by the Archdiocese of Detroit and managed by Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Detroit.

Families will have the opportunity to include the names of their loved ones in a Book of Remembrance both before and after the outdoor Mass. Following the Mass, Bishop Cepeda will dedicate the new area, which honors Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, both important figures for the Hispanic Catholic community. Both events are open to the public. Complimentary bus transportation will be provided from Holy Redeemer Church (1721 Junction Street, Detroit). Buses depart Holy Redeemer at 9 a.m.

The new section of the cemetery, which includes an outdoor garden and reflection area, features statues of both Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego. The area will also include sitting areas for prayer and reflection.

“It is our privilege at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe with the designation of this new section and the placing of her beautiful statue,” said Rev. Timothy Babcock, the Archdiocese of Detroit’s delegate for Catholic Cemeteries. “We will welcome our fellow Catholics who will find it comfortable to place their loved ones in this special place where they will be remembered and constantly lifted up in prayer.” Bob Hojnacki, director of Archdiocese of Detroit Cemeteries and Deanna Cortese, location manager for Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, said that “Along with Our Lady of Hope Cemetery and the Archdiocese of Detroit, we both are thrilled to share such an exciting outreach to our Hispanic community. The Mass and Dedication on June 24 will provide a wonderful opportunity to be one family in Christ and we invite all members of our faith to join us on this special day.”

Our Lady of Hope Cemetery is at 18303 Allen Road, between Pennsylvania and Sibley roads. Call Our Lady of Hope Cemetery at (734) 285-2555 for further directions and information. Members of the media are invited to cover this event. Photographers and videographers are asked to heed any directions from cemetery and Archdiocesan personnel.