Fr Michael Cremin S.A.C. R.I.P.

Father Michael L. Cremin, SAC entered eternal life on September 18, 2019 at the age of 61.

Father Cremin was born on May 24, 1958 and entered the Pallottine Community in September of 1976.  He was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1983 in Ireland.

Father Cremin arrived in the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2004 and served as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, St. Patrick Parish, and St. Elizabeth Parish (all in Wyandotte), before they merged to form St. Vincent Pallotti Parish.

Father Cremin is preceded in death by his beloved parents, John Joe and Josephine (Josie), as well as his two brothers, Tony and Kieran.  He is survived by his sister-in-law Linda, nephew Conor, niece Christina, his uncle Fr. Michael Cremin, O. Carm., and many cousins and their families.

Father Cremin will lie in state on Saturday, September 21 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Saint Patrick Church, 135 Superior Boulevard, Wyandotte, Michigan 48192; and on Sunday, September 22 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph Church, 334 Elm Street, Wyandotte, Michigan 48192.  On both days, a Rosary and prayer service will take place at 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Mass will be at Saint Joseph Church (address above) on Monday, September 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Fr. Mike was called to serve the Lord and he entered the Pallottine Community in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, in September 1976, he received his formation in Ireland and made First Consecration as a Pallottine on 31 May 1979 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1983. Michael began his ministry in England and served as parochial vicar at the Parish of Our Lady of the Visitation, Greenford, Middlesex. He went on to serve as Chaplain at Cardinal Wiseman Secondary School, Greenford.  He had the opportunity for further studies and pastoral development and spent a year at the Institute of St. Anselm, Cliftonville, Kent, England. He was later transferred to Ireland and spent 6 years at St. Patrick Parish, Corduff, Dubin and while waiting for his visa to minister as a priest in the US he worked at our Pallottine Mission Centre in Thurles. He was appointed to the Pallottine Mission House in and then to the parishes of St. Joseph and St. Vincent Pallotti in Wyandotte.

Fr. Mike has made his home in Wyandotte as pastor of St. Vincent Pallotti Parish. He is well known in the community as the “little Irish Leprechaun priest”. There wasn’t a day that you would go by that whenever he was out, someone would know him and come to talk to him.

Fr. Mike was a ‘peoples person’ and this characterized his 36 years of priestly ministry, he was committed to the ministry entrusted to him, he was positive and outgoing and tried to bring joy, the joy of the Gospel, to all pastoral situations.

Fr. Mike was gracious and giving and was kindhearted. Fr. Mike reminded us that it is important to be around the people that brought out the best in you. Fr. Mike would stop whatever he was doing to assist those who needed him.

Fr. Mike loved the children of the parish and it would please him so much when he saw them attend Mass and assist him in serving Our Lord at the altar.

Fr. Mike enjoyed his new Rectory, which he called the “little house on the Maple”. It gave him a bird’s eye view of St. Joseph Church as he sat at the kitchen table having tea and cookies. Fr. Mike looked forward to planning his parish trips to Ireland and abroad, and always enjoyed being the “travel agent” for the group.

Sadly Fr. Mike was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and he faced it with hope and all throughout he never lost his positive outlook and his desire to continue to minster. He was very much ‘at home’ in Wyandotte and lived his last weeks knowing that he was buoyed up by the prayers, Mass intentions and good wishes of his community and his many, many friends, as well as the bowls of soup and snacks prepared with care to tempt his depleted appetite.

Fr. Mike will be sadly missed, as he would always remind us, “I’m just on the bus behind you,” now Fr Mike is on the bus a head of us all.

Condolences may be sent to the Pallottine Fathers, 3352 Fourth Street, Wyandotte, Michigan 48192.  Kindly remember Father Cremin in your prayers.

May he rest in Peace.

Amen.