Pilots, Cubs golf teams clean headstones of Jesuit priests, Christian Brothers laid to rest decades ago at Mount Olivet Cemetery
DETROIT — The golf teams at De La Salle Collegiate and University of Detroit Jesuit were recently together — not on a course with clubs in hand, but instead with rakes, blowers and cleaning supplies.
Approximately 40 students joined forces March 22 at Mount Olivet Cemetery on Detroit’s east side, where they cleaned the gravesites of the Christian Brothers and Jesuit priests who had been laid to rest decades ago.
Dennis Koch, varsity golf coach at De La Salle, said the service project was an ideal chance for the young men from two normally rival schools to meet in a faith-filled environment on sacred ground.
“So often in the Catholic League, we have epic battles either on the court, football field, or even on the golf course, and we recognize our differences,” said Koch, who is also a business teacher at De La Salle. “This was an opportunity to celebrate our similarities; we are Christians. We are united in our faith. And in this day and age, I feel like we, the Catholic schools, need to do even more to celebrate our similarities, not differences.”
Charlie Tourangeau, a sophomore on the golf team at University of Detroit Jesuit, agreed.
“This shows how we are caring for others,” he said. “With De La Salle being here, too, this shows there is peace between the two schools because sometimes it can get so competitive. This is at least one time where we don’t have to be in competition with each other.”
An event like this helped to deepen the faith life of Anthony Brillati, a senior golfer at De La Salle.
“This does help me a lot, getting closer and getting to know others, especially when we are working with other people to do God’s work.
“This is a good thing that we’re doing by working with other teams like University of Detroit Jesuit; getting to know the other players is also great,” Brillati added.
His De La Salle classmate, Ender Straughen, said he enjoyed the service project.
“We had many more volunteers than expected and made a very big impact, especially on the Jesuit graves. Some of them were completely unrecognizable and unreadable, but now they look so much better, and do not look like they have been there for 70 years,” he said.
Mount Olivet Cemetery opened in 1888 on Detroit’s east side and is the city’s largest cemetery with more than 300 acres. Section 47, known as Holy Hill, where several religious order priests and brothers are buried, is where the students and coaches, Jesuit priests and Christian Brothers gathered with brushes, buckets and cleaning tools, despite the cold and snowy morning.
Jesuit and Christian Brother notables buried at the cemetery include Jesuit Fr. John McNichols (for whom Six Mile Road was renamed), and Christian Brother George Synan, who served as a coach and administrator at St. Joseph and De La Salle high schools.
Koch approached University of Detroit Jesuit’s head golf coach Paul Diehl about working together on the service project. With the Christian Brothers and Jesuits both buried there (the original De La Salle Collegiate location on Detroit’s east side was near the cemetery before moving to Warren in 1982), it was well-situated for the teams to meet and work together.
Diehl said when he told his team about the idea, his players were happy to help. “I explained to them its purpose, and everyone was on board,” he said, adding the students also earned service hours.
“University of Detroit Jesuit’s mission is to help others and mentor. It’s a part of their Jesuit education along with service, education and faith,” said Diehl, a 1973 U of D Jesuit graduate, who is also a substitute teacher at his alma mater. “They are helping people whom they have no knowledge of or acquaintance with, but they are still doing it. Others will come and see the grave was cleaned, so really it’s an interesting way to serve.
“They will all be getting something out of it, too,” he added. “Because they are focusing on the priests’ graves, hopefully it will spark something in them to think about. These were people who had a life of service.”
One of his players, Andy Bubb, said being at Mount Olivet Cemetery was an eye-opening experience. “This is awesome to be able to come out here and restore gravesites,” said Bubb, a U of D Jesuit junior. “This is a way for us to show respect to them. It’s really sad to see how they are,” referring to the headstones, many of which were grass-covered, but that he was happy to do his part to help.
Anthony Sancimino, a senior at De La Salle, described the day as a way to bond with the teams “and a good way for all of us to get to know each other better.”
“This is us getting out in the community and doing something good for other people,” he said. “It’s what our faith is all about.”
Koch added that “this is a moment where our student-athletes will take the time to remember that we are Christians, we are Lasallians, and we are part of an organization that has been around for hundreds of years and is much bigger than they’ll ever know. It’s an opportunity to give back and to honor those who have paved the way for them.
“I am proud of our boys that they stepped out of their comfort zone and actually got their hands dirty,” said Koch, a 1994 De La Salle alumnus. “This service project is an example of what it means to give selflessly. By cleaning the tombstones of the Christian Brothers, they are also honoring the men who have given their lives to a Lasallian education. These Christian Brothers have taught and have impacted countless students. We owe it to them to carry on their message.”
The teams will meet again at their Catholic League match on April 9 at Oakland Hills. Brillati looks forward to the matchup.
“UDJ is a good team, and very good competition; they are very consistent when we play against them,” he said. “Getting to know other teams makes it easier because it helps to take the stress off, just knowing that we can connect with other kids with similar interests.”
Bubb agreed: “Our golf team has a good chance of going really far and getting a lot of wins,” he said. “This was a good day to be with De La Salle; it’s a chance to get to know each other and come together for a good cause.”
He added he won’t forget the day’s experience anytime soon: “We came together for a good cause … to show honor and respect for people we don’t know.”
Straughen echoed his thoughts. “These Jesuits and Brothers helped shape our faith and the schools we attend today,” the De La Salle junior said. “To me, it is extremely important to honor those who have passed away, so this project was very important and needed.
“It has also shown me how often people forget about the deceased and how graves are neglected,” he said. “The deceased deserve to be cared about after their death, especially when they’ve spent their whole lives helping others.”
Michelle Samartino is sports information director for De La Salle Collegiate in Warren.
