Parents bring kids to celebrate Easter Sunday in Detroit

Detroit— Parents brought their children to a Easter Mass in Detroit on Sunday, saying it was important to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and His victory over sin and death.

Christians around the world joined services for what many call the holiest time of the year and serves for many as a reaffirmation of their faith.

The Sunday morning service at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament came at the conclusion of Holy Week and Easter liturgies. The service was led by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron at the church on Woodward Avenue.

"This is not a fable that we tell ourselves to get through tough times. Christ is risen. Christ is alive. Christ will never die again," Vigneron said at the Mass. "The rising of Jesus is the most true exodus."

"Jesus died and rose so that our sinful bodies might reawaken," he said. "Once we were lost. Once we were sinners but now we're alive in Christ."

The service featured hymns and concluded with Vigneron sprinkling Holy water on parishioners, offering them bread and asking them to share a sign of peace among one another by waving, shaking hands or hugging.

It may be Vigneron's last Easter service. He has requested resignation as archbishop, the church's leadership said Sunday. It is required by canon law of all bishops who reach age 75. Vigneron submitted his resignation to the Holy Father on Oct. 21, according to detroitcatholic.com, the digital news service of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The church also handed out colorful bags with candy and toys inside to children under 12. Renee Guzman Chang's three children received the bags.

"They actually listened because on Fridays at their school they have to go to Mass, so they understand repentance, they understand what Jesus died for, so that really carried when Archbishop Vigneron was talking about it," said Guzman Chang of Detroit.

All of her children were baptized at the church in the last few years. Guzman Chang has been coming to the church for the past couple of decades.

"I know what Jesus did. He died for us," her 7-year-old daughter said, while standing next to her 8-year-old sister and 5-year-old brother.

Dominic Suma, 35, of Detroit was with his 3-month-old daughter and wife at the service Sunday. "It's about rebirth and renewal," he said, adding that they are members of the parish.

Andrew Crawford of Beverly Hills, 35, came with his father-in-law, wife and 8-month-old daughter

"This is where we were married. This is where (his 8-month-old) was baptized," he said, adding that Crawfords having been coming to the church for three years.

"It's about remembering why we come to church, what's important in life, renewing yourself for the year," Crawford said.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

@_myeshajohnson