Published in a supplement to
The Record, November 1978

by WILLIAM J. WOOD
Chaplain, Wayne State University

We have a problem with what to call the Diocesan Cathedral Center.

On occasion, in a nonchalant manner, I have said that I was going to the cathedral for a meeting, meaning that I was going to the Diocesan Center. This announcement was met with a puzzled reaction.

Another time, I tried to describe where the Diocese of Michigan’s headquarters were located, only to receive the remark that, “I thought there was a church on that corner.”

The problem is that it is impossible to be very concise about that building located on the east side of Woodward Ave. between Warren and Hancock, better known as “4800 Woodward.”

As a means of giving 4800 Woodward a name, I submit a few suggestions:

Multi-purpose building #1: Perhaps a bit to heavy on the functional aspects of the Diocesan Center, but it does reflect the technocratic society that we live in.

Mutually Operated Building (MOB): Not to be confused with The Mob. Does emphasize the interwoven nature, but is light on function.

Cathedral and Diocesan Office (CADO): Straight-forward description, but no pizzaz.

Diocesan Office with Attached Cathedral (DOWAC): Perhaps a little too much emphasis upon the office part, but it has a nice sound.

The Diocesan Center should, I think, remain a mystery: and thus I would advocate that we change the name to the Center of the Holy Mystery.