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Media recognizes Sacred Heart monsignor for neighborhood renewal plan.

Msgr. Daniel Trapp has watched the neighborhood surrounding his parish decline since the economic crisis of 2008. The Pingree Park neighborhood, the east side Detroit community surrounding historic St. Augustine/St. Monica Parish, once was stable and safe, with rows of well-kept homes. Now through his rectory window, Monsignor looks out at too many empty houses and vacant lots and too much trouble on the streets.

Two years ago, Monsignor Trapp, an associate professor and graduate spiritual director at Sacred Heart, decided to push back against the decline. He has been acquiring abandoned homes and renovating them, and cleaning up the weedy lots with volunteer help. He recently joined with parish members to form a neighborhood association and even has plans convert the overgrown lots into urban farming plots that will help to provide jobs.

He is an excellent example of the creative and humble passion that our priests at the seminary possess, Sacred Heart's rector, Msgr. Todd Lajiness, says of Monsignor Trapp. His work within the city of Detroit manifests the heart of a shepherd.

Monsignor Trapp is representative of the talented and generous priests who minister at the seminary, believes the rector. They all serve multiple roles within the Archdiocese of Detroit and beyond, sharing their skills and love of the Lord. That same spirit of self-giving blended with ingenuity, the rector says, has a direct influence also on the way Sacred Heart's students are formedto be generous and humble of heart, always looking for creative ways to share the Gospel and bring the mercy of God to those most in need.

Monsignor Trapp's efforts have been recognized in a recent Detroit News article. Read more about his exemplary work here: