NEWS

Traveling Catholics pack house at St. Valentine Church in Redford

Worshippers, both regulars and guests, fill the pews during a "Traveling Catholics Mass Mob" at St. Valentine Catholic Church in Redford, Michigan on Feb. 7, 2016. Founded by AnnaMarie Barnes in 2015, the Traveling Catholics group was designed to bring attention, people and funds to area churches in need.
Worshippers, both regulars and guests, fill the pews during a "Traveling Catholics Mass Mob" at St. Valentine Catholic Church in Redford, Michigan on Feb. 7, 2016. Founded by AnnaMarie Barnes in 2015, the Traveling Catholics group was designed to bring attention, people and funds to area churches in need.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Members of the children's and adult's choir join together in song to begin the service.
Members of the children's and adult's choir join together in song to begin the service.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
At the close of his homily, Rev. Bishop Donald Hanchon surprised worshipers when he took out a ukulele and sang "This Little Light Of Mine" and encouraged the congregation to sing along.
At the close of his homily, Rev. Bishop Donald Hanchon surprised worshipers when he took out a ukulele and sang "This Little Light Of Mine" and encouraged the congregation to sing along.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Alyson Alexander, 3, front, sings "This Little Light of Mine" along with her parents Cassandra, left, and Ryan, and Rev. Bishop Donald Hanchon, who lead the congregation on his ukulele.
Alyson Alexander, 3, front, sings "This Little Light of Mine" along with her parents Cassandra, left, and Ryan, and Rev. Bishop Donald Hanchon, who lead the congregation on his ukulele.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Mary Kate Barnauskas, 16, prays during the hymn "Be Not Afraid."
Mary Kate Barnauskas, 16, prays during the hymn "Be Not Afraid."
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Volunteer Eileen MacDonell, who has been with the church since 1981, passes the basket around during the first collection of the Mass. The church traditionally also conducts a second collection taken up specifically to aid the poor and needy.
Volunteer Eileen MacDonell, who has been with the church since 1981, passes the basket around during the first collection of the Mass. The church traditionally also conducts a second collection taken up specifically to aid the poor and needy.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Deacon Lawrence Toth joins the assembled in prayer.
Deacon Lawrence Toth joins the assembled in prayer.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Holding his son Henry, 10 months, Alan Pawlik waits in line for communion.
Holding his son Henry, 10 months, Alan Pawlik waits in line for communion.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Longtime church members noted that the crowd Sunday roughly doubled that of a typical mass. The Traveling Catholics drew 350 extra people to St. Valentine's Sunday.
Longtime church members noted that the crowd Sunday roughly doubled that of a typical mass. The Traveling Catholics drew 350 extra people to St. Valentine's Sunday.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Usher Michael Valla, left, who has been with the church since 1988, holds a basket out to Marie Nelson-Pawlik, 6, as her mom Maggie Nelson-Pawlik, right, looks on during the second collection of the mass, which will be used to reduce the parish's debt.
Usher Michael Valla, left, who has been with the church since 1988, holds a basket out to Marie Nelson-Pawlik, 6, as her mom Maggie Nelson-Pawlik, right, looks on during the second collection of the mass, which will be used to reduce the parish's debt.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
The recessional moves through the full church.
The recessional moves through the full church.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Following the service, Rev. Bishop Donald Hanchon, left, thanks "Traveling Catholics Mass Mob" founder AnnaMarie Barnes for her work helping various parishes. "I live for him and his ukelele," said Barnes about Hanchon, who added that Hanchon's unusual musical outreach builds bridges of approachability with worshipers.
Following the service, Rev. Bishop Donald Hanchon, left, thanks "Traveling Catholics Mass Mob" founder AnnaMarie Barnes for her work helping various parishes. "I live for him and his ukelele," said Barnes about Hanchon, who added that Hanchon's unusual musical outreach builds bridges of approachability with worshipers.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News