The Head of the Family
Father John Budde
by Bernie Fratto
January 2005
 

“There arose a man that was sent forth as
a representative of God: his name was John”
  John 1:6

 
Many years ago, a famed Investment firm coined a phrase that simply stated, “When we speak… people listen.”  Hold that thought…

Merriam Webster defines ‘Priest’ as a “person of special rank who performs religious rites in a Temple of God.” But Father John Budde is much more than that. Father Budde is clearly a man about town, whether it be sporting events, family functions, or even in the grocery store, his presence has positively impacted the City of Novi and beyond for the better part of three decades.

Of his 27 years in the priesthood, 16 have been right here in Novi, Michigan, and as a community we are grateful.

A Michigan native, John Budde was born in the Dearborn Township/ Redford area and attended Cardinal Mooney Latin School, which was part of the seminary. Asked when he decided to become a priest he replied, “in 7th grade I really started to think about it a lot. I saw that Priest’s really helped people,” he added.

Father John Budde knew at a very early age that his life calling would be to help people, and that he had multiple choices from which to select. Because of his extraordinary communication skills and the ability to truly connect with people of all backgrounds, Fr. Budde could have become a coach, a teacher, or perhaps a social worker, and been successful in any of these endeavors.

But his heart drew him to an area that he felt compelled to pursue; “There are lots of ways to help people,” Budde stated, “but I really wanted to help people with their faith.” “I wanted to help people understand the sense of meaning in their lives through the gospel message.”

After high school graduation, Fr. Budde attended Sacred Heart Seminary, earning a BA in History with minors in Philosophy and Theology. He also embarked on graduate studies at the University of Louvain (located near Brussels, Belgium).

After finishing his graduate studies he spent a year as a Deacon at St. Aloysius in Romulus in 1976, and was officially ordained as a priest on Aug. 6, 1977. His first assignment was at St. Christopher’s in Detroit, where he stayed until 1980.

His odyssey took him back to Belgium and the University of Louvain where he garnered a Masters Degree in Religious Studies and obtained his (STL) License in Sacred Theology, before heading back to the U.S. in 1981.

He landed at St. Angela in Roseville for 2 years, and then served on the faculty for St. Johns Seminary from 1983-1988. He continued on to the Sacred Heart Seminary for about a year, and finally ended up at Holy Family Catholic Church in Novi, in 1989, and he’s been there ever since.

Father John Budde has served with honor and distinction at Holy Family for the last 15 years, and while his contributions are too numerous to completely detail, there are several areas where he has clearly left an imprint.

Holy Family has become a parish that truly offers a “warm and inviting environment for the parish community.” Holy Family’s “Sponsor a Family” program was a big success again this year. They sponsored over 280 needy families, providing gifts and food baskets, etc.

Father Budde and Holy Family also provide an environment very favorable to a “volunteer and serve” atmosphere. Folks assist in maintenance, as a catechist, or serve at mass, and their impact is felt and appreciated by the entire community.

Father Budde has also set a tone that truly permeates a spirit of faith. His ability to exude faith in the most difficult of circumstances is a gift that he freely shares with anyone that has been in his presence.

“I enjoy celebrating the sacraments with people,” Fr. John emphasized. Whether it is baptism, communion, confirmation, or marriage, Father John Budde is a master in overseeing each event with the utmost in care and spiritual influence.

His philosophy as a Pastor is simple; “Although I am in a leadership position, as a member of the community I am immersed among the masses.” Fr. John Budde is always in the midst of the community as he helps to pursue the mission of the Holy Family Church and is always inviting and enlisting people to participate. In other words, everyone is welcome, it is one big family.

As a member of Holy Family since January 1994, I can attest to the fact that Father John Budde is a polished public speaker and raconteur, par excellence. Like most great orators, he knows when to inject humor, how to tell a story, and how to package his presentations to maximize the resonance of all in attendance. As a result, his homilies are a treat.

“To see people share the gift of faith with one another, inside and outside the church,” is what Father John Budde lives for. And his actions speak loudly, as do his words.

In fact, when Father John Budde speaks… People Listen.