MASS OF THE RESURRECTIONfor

The Reverend Michael N. CooneySt. Peter Catholic Church

December 4, 2020

Father Cooney was born March 10, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1975.

Father Cooney was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Cooney; his brother, Bishop Patrick Cooney; and his sister, Mary Cooney. He is survived by his sister, Sister Leontia Cooney, OP, a retired Adrian Dominican.

Father Cooney served as Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens; Parochial Vicar of St. Suzanne/Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish, Detroit; St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights; St. Basil the Great Parish, Eastpointe; and National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica Parish, Royal Oak.

Fr. Mike attended grade school at St. Clement in Dearborn, Sacred Heart Seminary High School, and St. John Seminary in Plymouth. He was ordained to the priesthood at his home parish, St. Clement in Dearborn, by Cardinal John Dearden on June 6, 1975. He had a love of learning. He earned a Doctorate in Ministry at St. Mary College in Baltimore, MA and a Doctorate in Education at Wayne State. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He also was awarded a Sabbatical for three months to study in Rome.

During his college days he worked summers at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn with his Dad. He was also known to have tended bar at the Tipp.

Fr. Mike was Chaplain to police departments in Macomb County, and earlier in Detroit where he also worked with the drug enforcement unit.

He played ice hockey with the priests’ team when he was younger. He enjoyed playing a weekly golf game with friends for many years but more recently he watched golf on TV. Fr. Mike enjoyed following the Red Wings, Tigers and Lions. His favorite; however, was watching Notre Dame football.

Fr. Mike enjoyed the Florida sunshine for some January get-aways, especially with his sisters – Sr. Lee and Maureen, and his brother, Bishop Pat, when they could all be together. For many years, whenever possible the four siblings had Sunday dinner at Maureen’s house, their family home.

They travelled many times to Ireland where they visited with cousins. There were trips to Australia, Hungary, Italy and Alaska.

Fr. Mike was great with finances. He often reminded his staff to be good stewards of money donated by our parishioners. He did not like to preach about money at Sunday Mass. With the help of the Parish Finance Council, and our Parish Family and friends, he has accomplished much in the building of the Fr. Welch Parish Hall, the new Gymnasium at St. Mary School, the beautiful church parking lots and the Shrine to Mary in honor of all the students who have attended St. Mary School over the past 150 years.

Fr. Mike also served as Vicar for the Detroit Westside Vicariate and the Central Macomb Vicariate.

Being a priest was his life. He was priest confidant and friend to many. He often asked, “How can we serve people better?” He suffered loss and illness in his own life which made him more compassionate.

Children looked forward to his high fives in pre-COVID times.

He inspired loyalty in many and was a loyal friend in return, and the best ambassador of his Irish heritage. In the lives he touched, he loved deeply, and is loved deeply in return, on both sides of eternity.

Final Commendation and Farewell “Go, Silent Friend” (Londonderry Air; Text: John L. Bell)Closing Hymn “Sing With All the Saints in Glory” (William J Irons - Ludwig von Beethoven) Bagpiper: James Disser

Pall Bearers: George Convery, Roger Darling, Randy Lentini, Paul Shamo, Tim Shaum, Dale Wieczorek

Celebrant The Most Reverend Allen H. VigneronHomilist Msgr. Charles Kosanke Concelebrants Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese of DetroitMinister of Music Nancy Simmons St. Peter Parish Vocalists and Instrumentalists Prelude Music “Lady of Knock” (Diana Rosemary Scallon)Gathering Hymn Bagpiper: James Disser Introductory Rites Blessing of Casket Placing of pall on casket Nora Cassidy, Judy Coll, Andrea Graustein, Cindy Klemm, Threasa Lis, Keegan Walker Placing of the Book of Scriptures Maureen MiscavishOpening PrayerFirst Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Linda McInerneyResponsorial Psalm “Shepherd Me, O God” (Marty Haugen)Second Reading Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 Stephanie Garsteck-PolakGospel Acclamation Celtic Alleluia Gospel Luke 2:29-32 Msgr. Charles KosankeHomily Msgr. Charles Kosanke Prayers of the Faithful John Walus Preparation of the Gifts “An Irish Blessing” (Joseph M Martin)

Eucharistic PrayerEucharistic Acclamations Mass of St. Ann (Ed Bolduc) Lord’s Prayer Communion Hymn “Panis Angelicus” (Cesar Frank) “One Bread, One Body” (John Foley)

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Final Commendation and Farewell “Go, Silent Friend” (Londonderry Air; Text: John L. Bell)Closing Hymn “Sing With All the Saints in Glory” (William J Irons - Ludwig von Beethoven) Bagpiper: James Disser

Pall Bearers: George Convery, Roger Darling, Randy Lentini, Paul Shamo, Tim Shaum, Dale Wieczorek

Celebrant The Most Reverend Allen H. VigneronHomilist Msgr. Charles Kosanke Concelebrants Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese of DetroitMinister of Music Nancy Simmons St. Peter Parish Vocalists and Instrumentalists Prelude Music “Lady of Knock” (Diana Rosemary Scallon)Gathering Hymn Bagpiper: James Disser Introductory Rites Blessing of Casket Placing of pall on casket Nora Cassidy, Judy Coll, Andrea Graustein, Cindy Klemm, Threasa Lis, Keegan Walker Placing of the Book of Scriptures Maureen MiscavishOpening PrayerFirst Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Linda McInerneyResponsorial Psalm “Shepherd Me, O God” (Marty Haugen)Second Reading Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 Stephanie Garsteck-PolakGospel Acclamation Celtic Alleluia Gospel Luke 2:29-32 Msgr. Charles KosankeHomily Msgr. Charles Kosanke Prayers of the Faithful John Walus Preparation of the Gifts “An Irish Blessing” (Joseph M Martin)

Eucharistic PrayerEucharistic Acclamations Mass of St. Ann (Ed Bolduc) Lord’s Prayer Communion Hymn “Panis Angelicus” (Cesar Frank) “One Bread, One Body” (John Foley)

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

MASS OF THE RESURRECTIONfor

The Reverend Michael N. CooneySt. Peter Catholic Church

December 4, 2020

Father Cooney was born March 10, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1975.

Father Cooney was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Cooney; his brother, Bishop Patrick Cooney; and his sister, Mary Cooney. He is survived by his sister, Sister Leontia Cooney, OP, a retired Adrian Dominican.

Father Cooney served as Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens; Parochial Vicar of St. Suzanne/Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish, Detroit; St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights; St. Basil the Great Parish, Eastpointe; and National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica Parish, Royal Oak.

Fr. Mike attended grade school at St. Clement in Dearborn, Sacred Heart Seminary High School, and St. John Seminary in Plymouth. He was ordained to the priesthood at his home parish, St. Clement in Dearborn, by Cardinal John Dearden on June 6, 1975. He had a love of learning. He earned a Doctorate in Ministry at St. Mary College in Baltimore, MA and a Doctorate in Education at Wayne State. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He also was awarded a Sabbatical for three months to study in Rome.

During his college days he worked summers at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn with his Dad. He was also known to have tended bar at the Tipp.

Fr. Mike was Chaplain to police departments in Macomb County, and earlier in Detroit where he also worked with the drug enforcement unit.

He played ice hockey with the priests’ team when he was younger. He enjoyed playing a weekly golf game with friends for many years but more recently he watched golf on TV. Fr. Mike enjoyed following the Red Wings, Tigers and Lions. His favorite; however, was watching Notre Dame football.

Fr. Mike enjoyed the Florida sunshine for some January get-aways, especially with his sisters – Sr. Lee and Maureen, and his brother, Bishop Pat, when they could all be together. For many years, whenever possible the four siblings had Sunday dinner at Maureen’s house, their family home.

They travelled many times to Ireland where they visited with cousins. There were trips to Australia, Hungary, Italy and Alaska.

Fr. Mike was great with finances. He often reminded his staff to be good stewards of money donated by our parishioners. He did not like to preach about money at Sunday Mass. With the help of the Parish Finance Council, and our Parish Family and friends, he has accomplished much in the building of the Fr. Welch Parish Hall, the new Gymnasium at St. Mary School, the beautiful church parking lots and the Shrine to Mary in honor of all the students who have attended St. Mary School over the past 150 years.

Fr. Mike also served as Vicar for the Detroit Westside Vicariate and the Central Macomb Vicariate.

Being a priest was his life. He was priest confidant and friend to many. He often asked, “How can we serve people better?” He suffered loss and illness in his own life which made him more compassionate.

Children looked forward to his high fives in pre-COVID times.

He inspired loyalty in many and was a loyal friend in return, and the best ambassador of his Irish heritage. In the lives he touched, he loved deeply, and is loved deeply in return, on both sides of eternity.