Archdiocese of Detroit - Featured News

Rev. Adalberto Espinoza appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Adalberto Espinoza, appointed associate pastor, Holy Family Parish, Novi effective July 1. Father Espinoza currently serves as associate pastor at National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak.

Rev. Patrick Gonyeau appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Patrick Gonyeau, appointed associate pastor, National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak effective July 1.

Rev. Kishore Battu, SAC appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Kishore Battu, SAC, appointed associate pastor, St. Michael Parish, Livonia effective July 1.

Rev. Marko Djonovic appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Marko Djonovic, appointed associate pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Lake Orion effective July 1.

Rev. James Grau appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend James Grau, assigned to graduate studies at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome beginning in the fall of 2013. Effective July 1, Father Grau will assist at Holy Name Parish, Birmingham until his studies commence.

Trns. Dcn. Louis Lapeyre appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Transitional Deacon Louis Lapeyre, assigned for ministry at St. Mary Parish, Monroe effective July 1.

Rev. Clement Suhy appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Clement Suhy, appointed associate pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth effective July 1. Father Suhy currently serves as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Lapeer.

Rev. Michael Zuelch appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Michael Zuelch, appointed associate pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Lapeer effective July 1. Father Zuelch currently serves as associate pastor at Holy Family Parish, Novi.

Rev. Gerard Cupple appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Gerard Cupple, appointed pastor, St. Mary Parish, Wayne effective July 1. Father Cupple currently serves as pastor at St. Henry Parish, Lincoln Park.

Msgr. Ronald Brown appointment effective July 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Monsignor Ronald Browne, appointed for ministry at the Detroit Metropolitan Tribunal effective July 1. Monsignor Browne currently serves as Moderator of the Curia, Diocese of Marquette.

Rev. Timothy Babcock appointment effective June 1

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Timothy Babcock, appointed administrator, Resurrection Parish, Canton effective June 1, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities as Assistant Director for International Priests, Office for Clergy and Consecrated Life.

Three Men to be Ordained Priests for Detroit Archdiocese

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. will ordain three men to the Catholic priesthood for the Archdiocese of Detroit: Deacon Marko Djonovic, Deacon Patrick Gonyeau, and Deacon James Grau.


Deacon Djonovic	Deacon Gonyeau	Deacon Grau

CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGES FOR FULL-SIZE FILES

The ordination will take place at a liturgy at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 9844 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. The public is invited to attend. Those being ordained will greet family and friends following the ordination Mass. More details about the ordinandi:

Deacon Marko Djonovic, 34, of Farmington, is the son of Frano and Maria Djonovic. He entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit from his home parish of Our Lady of Albanians in Southfield.

Deacon Patrick Gonyeau, 34, of Harper Woods, is the son of Thomas and Patricia Gonyeau. He entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary from his home parish of St. Jude in Detroit.

Deacon James Grau, 28, of Livonia, is the son of James and Julie Grau. He entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary from his home parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Livonia. In addition to his formation at Sacred Heart, Deacon Grau has studied at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican.

To learn more about priestly vocations and joining the priesthood, visit www.detroitpriest.com.

Note to Media Representatives: You are invited to cover this event. If you are sending a photographer or camera crew, we ask that you not use flash, sun guns or any other form of lighting. Please take special care not to interfere with anyone in procession during Mass in order to get photos or photo IDs. We thank you for heeding these directions and any instructions you may receive from Communications or Cathedral personnel.

Reverend Richard Philiposki, S.Chr. appointment effective August 1

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Richard Philiposki, S.Chr. appointed pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Wyandotte effective August 1.

Reverend Walter Ptak appointment effective August 1

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Walter Ptak, appointed Dean of Human Formation, SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake effective August 1. Father Ptak currently serves as Pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Wyandotte.

Regarding the funeral service for Brian Woehlke…

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:52:00 -0400

A funeral service for Brian Woehlke, the 29-year-old Westland firefighter who died in the line of duty on May 8, will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 13, at Divine Child Church, 1055 N. Silvery Lane in Dearborn. Fr. James Bilot, pastor of Divine Child Parish, will preside at the Mass.

The Archdiocesan Department of Communications relays a request from the family and parish that no recording devices— video, audio, or still photography— be allowed in the church or elsewhere on church property before, during, or after the funeral service. Due to limited parking spaces available for attendees, the church and school parking lots will not be opened to media vehicles.

Likewise, following the funeral Mass, the services at St. Hedwig Cemetery will remain private and not open to the news media.

We thank in advance reporters, editors and camera crews for their respect of the solemnity and dignity of this occasion, and for honoring the family’s wishes at this sensitive time.

Rev. Hendrico Rebello, SAC appointment effective July 1

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Hendrico Rebello, SAC appointed associate pastor, Our Lady of Loretto Parish and St. Valentine Parish, Redford effective July 1. Father Rebello currently serves as associate pastor at St. Michael Parish, Livonia.

Rev. Socorro Fernandes, SAC appointment effective July 1

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Socorro Fernandes, SAC appointed pastor, St. Valentine Parish, Redford effective July 1, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities at Our Lady of Loretto, Redford.

Rev. Suresh Rajaian, SAC appointment effective July 1

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Suresh Rajaian, SAC appointed pastor, St. Ignatius Parish, Cayman Islands effective July 1. Father Rajaian currently serves as pastor at St. Valentine Parish, Redford.

Rev. Robert Schuster appointment effective April 22

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Robert Schuster, pastor, Our Lady on the River Parish, Marine City granted a personal leave of absence effective April 22.

Archdiocese of Detroit to move Chancery, Offices to Detroit's Capitol Park

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In a move described as “wise stewardship of its resources,” the Archdiocese of Detroit will consolidate its administrative offices as the lead, anchor tenant in the city’s Capitol Park Historic District and, at the same time, relocate one of its off-site facilities in Detroit. At a special presentation Tuesday, April 30, Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron shared the news with archdiocesan employees, currently working in four different locations— two buildings in downtown Detroit, one in Corktown, and in offices at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. “This move will bring us figuratively and literally closer together,” Archbishop Vigneron told his coworkers. “Tremendous good will come from the easier interaction between and among all of us,” he said. “Being under one roof will help us work more efficiently and with a greater sense of satisfaction."

The Detroit Archdiocese has reached an agreement on a cash sale of its Gabriel Richard Building located at 305 Michigan Avenue in downtown Detroit to GRB New Detroit, LLC. The Archdiocese has also finalized a purchase agreement for a cash sale of its Chancery Building at 1234 Washington Boulevard, as well as an adjacent, unoccupied two-story building to Capitol Park Partnership, LLC. The archdiocesan Print Shop building at 1501 6^th Street in Corktown has been sold to a private telecommunications firm. The total proceeds from these transactions is $3,254,000.

The sale of the Gabriel Richard Building and Print Shop facility were among several recommendations made to Archbishop Vigneron in 2009 to stabilize archdiocesan finances. The sale of these aging buildings will eliminate mounting archdiocesan outlays for repairs and maintenance, while enabling the archdiocese to consolidate its administrative offices (Central Services) in one location, reducing its space footprint from approximately 150,000 square feet to a maximum of 50,000 square feet.

Central Services staff and operations will become the anchor tenant at 1212 Griswold in Detroit’s Capitol Park, leasing five or six floors for its administrative operations when the space is ready in mid-late 2014. In the meantime, the archdiocese will maintain its current office space in the Chancery and Gabriel Richard buildings. The Print Shop will move from Corktown to the former seminary high school building at Linwood and Chicago in Detroit, on the southwestern border of the Historic Boston-Edison District.

While the archdiocese considered possibilities elsewhere in Detroit and outside the city to consolidate its offices and operations, Archbishop Vigneron, with the support of the archdiocesan Finance Council and the College of Consultors (priest advisors to the archbishop on administrative and financial issues), decided to commit on a long-term basis to downtown Detroit. The major benefit of these property sales facilitates the retention of 185 jobs in the core downtown area in newly-renovated space in which virtually all administrative staff will be under one roof, with increased collaboration to serve Catholics and Catholic parishes, schools, and institutions in the six counties of the archdiocese.

“We have asked our parishes to plan their futures in terms of mission vs. maintenance,” Archbishop Vigernon said. “In making this move, we are giving a good example,” he continued. “Together, we refocus on our mission— Sharing Christ in and through the Church.”

30 April 2013

Since 2011, Archbishop Vigneron has addressed questions and concerns from the Catholic faithful of Detroit. These online briefings— Sharing the Light— have focused on the Detroit archdiocese’s financial condition, the Together in Faith pastoral planning process, and future plans for the Church of Detroit. Archbishop Vigneron’s latest, on the move to Capitol Park, is available online at www.aod.org/sharingthelight.

Rev. Grzegorz Tokarski appointment effective July 1

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Grzegorz Tokarski, appointed pastor, St. Josaphat Parish, St. Joseph Parish, and Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit effective July 1. Father Tokarski currently serves as pastor at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Farmington Hills.

Rev. Moses Muttai appointment effective April 5

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Moses Muttai, appointed associate pastor, St. Anastasia Parish, Troy effective April 5.

Rev Marc Gawronski appointment effective July 1

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Marc Gawronski, appointed pastor, St. Gabriel Parish, Detroit effective July 1. Father Gawronski currently serves as pastor at St. Mary Parish, Monroe.

Rev Kenneth Chase appointment effective June 1

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Kenneth Chase, appointed administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Dearborn effective June 1. Father Chase currently serves as pastor at Resurrection Parish, Canton.

Msgr. Michael LeFevre appointment effective March 28

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Monsignor Michael LeFevre, appointed administrator, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Detroit effective March 28, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities as rector at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament; pastor at Church of the Madonna Parish, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Detroit and St. Benedict Parish, Highland Park.

Msgr. John Budde appointment effective July 1

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Monsignor John Budde, appointed pastor, St. Mary of the Snows Parish, Milford effective July 1. Monsignor Budde currently serves as pastor at Divine Mercy Parish, Davisburg.

Shelby Township Parish Broken Into

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The night of Easter Sunday, St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township was broken into and its Easter collection, and other items including chalices, were stolen. The thief, or thieves, penetrated four doors and used tools to open the church vault. The amount of money taken is estimated at about $40,000.

The theft was the third at a Macomb County parishes this year, and the second that appeared to involve sophisticated means of breaking through locked doors and safes. St. Lawrence Parish in Utica was similarly broken into in February.

Churches in the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit on Monday were cautioned to be vigilant against possible thefts.

Archbishop Vigneron to Celebrate Holy Week and Easter Liturgies at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter at Detroit’s Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The public is invited to participate. The Cathedral is situated at 9844 Woodward Avenue, between Chicago Boulevard and the Davison.

On Holy Thursday Morning, March 28, at 11 a.m., Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate the Chrism Mass. At this Mass, the archbishop will consecrate the Chrism and bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. Chrism is used in baptism, confirmation and ordination. Also during this Mass, the priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit will publicly renew their commitment to priestly service.

On Holy Thursday Evening, March 28, at 7 p.m., Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During this Mass, the archbishop will wash the feet of 12 parishioners, commemorating Christ washing the feet of His twelve apostles at the Last Supper.

On Good Friday, March 29, at 1 p.m., Archbishop Vigneron will begin the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. This service will include prayers, the Scriptural proclamation of Christ’s Passion, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.

On Holy Saturday, March 30, at 9 p.m., Archbishop Vigneron will preside at the Easter Vigil. This Mass includes the Blessing of the Fire, a ceremony in which the paschal candle is lit from a small fire outside the church. Also, those who have completed their preparation will be baptized and/or received into full communion with the Church through their confirmation and first Eucharist.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, at 11 a.m., Archbishop Vigneron will be the celebrant and homilist at Mass. This liturgy celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

In addition to liturgies at the cathedral, numerous Holy Week events are planned at parishes across the Archdiocese. For Lent and Holy Week resources, visit www.aod.org/lent.

Note to editors/assignment desks: Reporters, photographers and videographers are invited to cover the cathedral liturgies, as well as events and activities at local parishes. Please call (313) 237-5943 to arrange coverage. If you are sending a reporter, photographer or camera crew, we respectfully ask that they dress appropriately for church attendance. We also ask that they not use flash bulbs or sun guns. Please heed any directions you may receive from church personnel at the cathedral or in our local parishes.

Our Lady of La Salette School to Close at End of School Year

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Our Lady of La Salette School in Berkley will close at the end of the current academic year due to declining enrollment. The school presently has 73 students, after having seen a decrease in enrollment by 47 percent since the 2008-09 academic year. Parents were informed of the closure at a meeting Wednesday night.

Our Lady of La Salette School has been sponsored by Our Lady of La Salette Parish. Founded in 1943, the school had a peak enrollment of more than 1,000 students in the 1960s.

“It is with great sadness that we learn of the closing of Our Lady of La Salette School,” said Kimberly Young, interim superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit. “The parish and school community, including the parents, are to be commended for their many efforts over the years and for their strong commitment to Our Lady of La Salette School. It is always a very difficult decision for a parish to have to close a school, and it always is a decision of last resort.”

Our Lady of La Salette Parish plans to offer current school families tuition assistance to attend other Catholic schools in the area. There are five Catholic schools within a five-mile radius of Our Lady of La Salette School.

Including Our Lady of La Salette, there are 96 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Detroit – 72 grade schools and 24 high schools – with a total enrollment of more than 30,000 students.

Mass to Celebrate the Election of Pope Francis

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will celebrate Mass at 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, March 20, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament to mark the election of Pope Francis. All are welcome to attend.

The Cathedral is located at 9844 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

Note to members of the media: You are welcome to cover this Mass. Camera operators, please refrain from using flash, sun-guns or other forms of artificial lighting. A mult box will be available. We thank you in advance for being mindful of the dignity of the liturgy, taking care not to impede any processions during the Mass, and heeding the directions of ushers and Archdiocesan personnel.

Rev. Charles Fox appointment effective July 1

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Charles Fox, assigned to the faculty and for further studies, Sacred Heart Major Seminary effective July 1. Father Fox currently serves as the Priest Secretary to the Archbishop.

Rev. Paul Czarnota appointment effective July 1

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Paul Czarnota, assigned to study canon law effective July 1. Father Czarnota currently serves as pastor at St. Isaac Jogues Parish, St. Clair Shores and St. Angela Parish, Roseville.

Rev. Jaime Hinojos appointment effective July 1

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Jaime Hinojos, appointed pastor, St. Christopher Parish and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Detroit effective July 1. Father Hinojos currently serves as pastor at St. Gabriel Parish, Detroit.

Rev. Darrell Roman appointment effective July 1

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Darrell Roman, appointed pastor, St. Isaac Jogues Parish, St. Clair Shores and St. Angela Parish, Roseville effective July 1. Father Roman currently serves as administrator at St. Josaphat Parish, St. Joseph Parish, and Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit.

Rev Stephen Pullis appointment effective July 1

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Stephen Pullis, appointed Priest Secretary to the Archbishop, effective July 1. Father Pullis currently serves as associate pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Lake Orion.

Rev. Bodgan Milosz appointment effective July 1

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Reverend Bogdan Milosz, appointed pastor, St. Faustina Parish, Warren effective July 1. St. Edmund and St. Sylvester will merge July 1 and assume new name, St. Faustina, and will remain solely at the St. Edmund site. Father Milosz currently serves as pastor at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, Hamtramck.

Mass to Celebrate the Election of Pope Francis

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On March 13, Pope Francis was elected as the new chief shepherd of the Catholic Church throughout the world. The Archdiocese of Detroit is celebrating this historic occurrence with a liturgy.

Prayer Service, News Conference Regarding the New Pope

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

To mark the election of the new pope, Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will lead a Vespers prayer service at 5:15 p.m. in the chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. The public is welcome to attend.

A news conference will immediately follow the service.

After the new Holy Father is introduced, and prior to the prayer service, Archbishop Vigneron is expected to release a statement regarding the new pope's election.

Sacred Heart Major Seminary is at 2701 Chicago Boulevard in Detroit, off of Linwood.

Resources on the Papal Election

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

As the Catholic Church’s Cardinal Electors choose a new pope at the Vatican, which after today’s inconclusive vote could happen as early as tomorrow, March 13, the Archdiocese of Detroit reminds those interested that they can receive locally focused news and information on the papal transition via the following means:

The Archdiocese of Detroit website contains official statements and resources regarding the papal transition.

The Archdiocese of Detroit’s papal transition blog contains commentary from Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron and others throughout the papal election. It also includes a video clip of Cardinal Adam Maida’s recollection of the 2005 Conclave.

The Michigan Catholic newspaper and website offer local news and perspectives on Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation and the conclave.

The Catholic Television Network of Detroit, an affiliate of CatholicTV, broadcasts a live feed at pertinent moments from the Vatican. It is Channel 398 on Comcast; Channel 16 on Bright House Cable; and Channel 73 on Wyandotte Cable.

Additionally we recommend the following sources for up-to-date national and international news, coverage and positions:

The CatholicTV website contains a live stream of broadcasting from the Vatican.

The CatholicTV mobile app allows iPhone users to access the live coverage.

The Vatican News website contains the official Vatican news reports.

The Vatican Information Service conveys official daily briefings of Vatican happenings.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website gives the official positions of the U.S. Bishops.

Regarding Funeral services for Kaitlin Hehir

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A funeral service for Kaitlin Hehir, a district court clerk in Farmington who was victim to a homicide this past weekend, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 47650 N. Territorial Road (at Beck) in Plymouth.

The Archdiocesan Department of Communications relays a request from the family and parish that no media interviews be conducted and no recording devices – video, audio, or still photography – be allowed in the church or elsewhere on church property before, during or after the funeral services. The church parking lot will not be opened to media vehicles.

Reporters and camera crews are reminded of the solemnity and dignity of this occasion, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation and respect of the family’s wishes for personal space at this sensitive time.

Final Papal Audience to Air on Catholic Television Network of Detroit

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Pope Benedict XVI’s final general audience as Holy Father will be broadcast live on the Catholic Television Network of Detroit (CTND) tomorrow, Wednesday, February 27, at 4:30 a.m. EST. A taped replay will be shown at 10 a.m. During the winter months, papal audiences are usually presented inside the Hall of Paul VI. On this special occasion, and to accommodate the anticipated crowds, Pope Benedict will speak from his apartment window above St. Peter’s Square.

On Thursday, February 28, the pope’s resignation from office takes effect at 2 p.m. local time. Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron has invited the faithful to join him at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in a Holy Hour of prayer for the pope on the day of his resignation and for his next, new phase in his ministry.

Additional information and resources, including the archdiocesan papal blog, can be found at www.aod.org/pope. CTND is available in 900,000 homes throughout southeast Michigan. Since 2011, CTND has been an affiliate of Boston-based CatholicTV Network.

Detroit Archdiocese Blogs Papal Transition

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

To accompany Catholics as they pray with and for the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron and other leaders from the Archdiocese of Detroit have launched a blog focusing on the papal transition: http://papaltransition.aod.org.

Readers are encouraged to offer prayers and charitable works as part of a “Spiritual Bouquet” for the resigning pope. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI at 2 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, Feb. 28, the blog will continue to provide insights, historical perspectives and pertinent news coverage of the conclave and the election of the next pope.

Along with the blog, the Archdiocese has launched a Facebook page and Twitter feed, dedicated to news and insights into the papal transition.

Further resources related to the papal transition, including statements from a Feb. 11 press conference on the topic, are on the Archdiocese of Detroit website at www.aod.org/pope.

Holy Hour for Pope Benedict XVI

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI was elected on April 19, 2005. On Feb. 11, 2013, Pope Benedict announced that, due to his declining health in old age, he will resign from the papacy at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Feb. 28.

Archbishop on Pope's Resignation; Briefing Scheduled

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

As news reports have indicated, Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign at the end of February. Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron has offered the following statement in regards to this unexpected development:

Like most of my fellow-Catholics I woke this morning to the very surprising news that Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI is resigning his service as the successor of St. Peter. Quickly after the surprise followed sadness, a sense of grief at losing his fatherly care for all us, bishops, clergy, and faithful. We have come to love him very much and will miss him.

Most of us know in our own personal lives what it means to see a parent grow old and decline in ability. That is the sense we bring to this announcement. Our spiritual father has determined, by the best light given to him in prayer, that for the good of us all he must lay down his office.

It was with the support of our daily prayers that Pope Benedict passed his years in the Chair of Peter and has come to this point. I invite all Catholics to pray all the more ardently for the Holy Father Pope Benedict, that God sustain him in these last weeks of his papacy and guide him through what lies ahead. And we look to the future with confidence, that the Lord who has given us this great pope and loving father, will give us a new shepherd of equal merit.

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit
11 February 2013

Archbishop Vigneron will be available for interviews at 10 a.m. (sharp) this morning at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Boulevard in Detroit (at Chicago and Linwood).

Audio clips from the archbishop's press conference on Feb. 11, 2013

Following the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation at the end of the month, Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron offered comments and answered questions about the pope, what he has meant to the Church, and the impact of his announcement. The following are audio sound bites from the archbishop’s press conference the morning of Feb. 11 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit:

On learning of the pope’s resignation…
On the pope’s health as a reason for his resignation…
On the gifts Pope Benedict XVI has brought to the papacy…
On his personal encounters with Pope Benedict XVI…
On the significance of the resignation…

CTND: Special Programming Honoring Pope Benedict XVI

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Via the CatholicTV network, the Catholic Television Network of Detroit will air two special programs to honor the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI.

Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Aloysius Church

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. At Mass on Ash Wednesday, the imposition of ashes replicates an ancient penitential practices and symbolizes our dependence upon God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Regarding Br. Baker and claims by SNAP…

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

An open letter dated January 30, 2013, the group SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) levels a series of unfair and untrue statements regarding the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Regarding Br. Stephen Baker, TOR (Third Order of Regular Franciscans): The Detroit Archdiocese has no record of sexual abuse complaints brought against Brother Baker during his two years in Michigan. As a professed Franciscan friar, Brother Baker took classes and worked at Orchard Lakes Schools (OLS) from 1983-85. OLS reports that it does not have any record of an abuse complaint during or after those years. Neither the archdiocese nor OLS ever received any reports/advisories from the other locations where Brother Baker subsequently worked. Additionally, we were not informed of the legal claims made against Brother Baker or his apparent suicide last weekend. SNAP’s criticism of the archdiocese makes absolutely no sense. How and why would the archdiocese be criticized as negligent for not disclosing information it did not have?
Regarding Fr. James Kurtz, SJ (Society of Jesus): When a sexual abuse complaint involving a minor came in against Father Kurtz in 2002, then a teacher at University of Detroit Jesuit High School (UDJ), the Detroit Archdiocese notified the Jesuit provincial and the office of the Wayne County Prosecutor. Information about the 2011 arrest and subsequent legal actions involving Father Kurtz was communicated locally by UDJ officials and nationally by the Chicago-Detroit Province of the Jesuits. Father Kurtz is listed on the archdiocesan website. These facts counter the claim made by SNAP that the public was not notified about this matter.
Regarding Fr. Thomas Williams, LC (Legion of Christ): While he grew up in the Detroit-area, Father Williams neither studied for nor was ordained to the priesthood in the Detroit Archdiocese, nor did he serve here. When information regarding his personal life was released last year, Father Williams’ religious order granted him a leave of absence. The Legionaries were not required to report to the archdiocese his choice of residence. They did not and have not. Father Williams does not have “faculties” (permission) from the archdiocese to perform any public ministry in southeast Michigan. Again, SNAP criticizes the archdiocese for not warning the public about something it did not know, i.e., that a religious order priest on leave might be living in the Detroit-area.
Regarding Fr. Maurice McNeely, a retired priest of the Diocese of Honolulu: While he grew up in the Detroit-area, Father McNeely neither studied for nor was ordained to the priesthood here, and did not serve here; he was ordained in the Diocese of Bismarck and later transferred to the Honolulu Diocese. In a civil suit filed last fall, and still pending an outcome, Father McNeely was accused of sexual abuse dating back to 1976. His choice of residence — temporary or long-term — is not something that would be known or monitored by the archdiocese. Father McNeely does not have “faculties” (permission) from the Detroit Archdiocese to perform any public ministry in southeast Michigan. In this case, SNAP criticizes the archdiocese for not warning the public about an out of state priest who is the subject of civil lawsuit.

In its letter, SNAP accuses the Detroit Archdiocese of being “silent” and “secretive” about clerical sexual abuse. Such claims, a common modus operandi of SNAP whenever it shows up in front of the archdiocesan chancery with one of its statements, are not supported by the facts. Reviews of past so-called revelations by SNAP have proven them to be misguided and misinformed, be it by design or default. Regrettably, the media outlets that rush to print or broadcast SNAP’s claims — without giving the Detroit Archdiocese a reasonable chance to look into and respond to matters that most often involve persons from outside our state and employ — are failing to perform the basic fact-checking routines the public deserves. As for leaders of SNAP, they continue to refuse issuing a correction or clarification regarding their statements, even when their claims, assumptions, and attacks are proven to be wrong.

The Detroit Archdiocese takes all matters involving sexual abuse with the utmost seriousness, and we share any claims with civil authorities. Anyone who is a victim can call our victim assistance coordinator confidentially at 866-343-8055 or report via our website at www.aod.org/safeenvironments.

Regarding Fr. Edward Belczak, St. Thomas More Parish

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Following the discovery of questionable financial transactions and practices during an Archdiocese of Detroit audit at St. Thomas More Parish, Troy, Father Edward Belczak has been required to temporarily step aside as pastor pending further steps by Church officials. Effective January 22, 2013, Father Belczak, 67, under the language of canon (Church) law, has been “temporarily excluded from the office of pastor,” meaning he cannot function as the parish’s pastor until an administrative review process is completed. While he will not remain in residence at St. Thomas More Parish, Father Belczak’s public ministry as a priest is not impacted at this time.

The alleged misappropriation and mismanagement include:

Taking excess compensation beyond archdiocesan policies, estimating a loss of $92,000 to the parish over the past six years.
Accepting and directing funds to himself that should have been posted to parish accounts, estimating a loss to the parish of $16,000 over the past six years.
Compensating, with benefits, an individual best described as a “ghost employee,” estimating a loss of $240,000 to the parish over the past six years.
Maintaining improper medical/dental insurance coverage for an individual, estimating a loss of approximately $26,000 to the parish over the past six years.
Authorizing a long-term disability policy for one employee, while not providing a similar benefit to other parish staff members, estimating a loss of $20,000 to the parish.
Allowing for the operation of the St. Thomas More Travel Group as a parish-related activity, while none of the financial transactions, records or bank accounts were disclosed for financial reporting or official purposes.
Accepting, but not depositing or recording in parish accounts, residual commission checks to the St. Thomas More Travel Group, estimating a loss of $25,000 to the parish over the past six years.
Failing to record or deposit monies received through the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day special collections according to archdiocesan policies; failing to monitor currency in an amount over $10,000, found in an employee’s office desk.

Monsignor John Zenz, episcopal vicar of the Northwest Region and pastor of Holy Name Parish, Birmingham, has been named administrator of St. Thomas More Parish.

The Troy Police Department is currently conducting its own investigation. The archdiocese has fully cooperated with civil authorities in this case and will continue to do so.

Father Edward Belczak

Education: Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit
St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth

Ordained: Sept. 3, 1972

1972-1975: Associate Pastor, National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak

1975-1980: Co-pastor, National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak

1980-1984: Associate Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Farmington

1984-2013: Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, Troy

2013: Temporarily excluded from the office of pastor, St. Thomas More Parish

Archdiocese to Mark Roe v. Wade Anniversary with Conference

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

As the United States marks the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, which ensured abortion’s legality in all 50 states, more than 55 million unborn children have been aborted in the country. To evaluate and bolster efforts to build a Culture of Life in the United States, from conception until natural death, the Archdiocese of Detroit on Jan. 26 will host hundreds of attendees at its third annual Life is a Gift conference at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

“Roe versus Wade has done women no favors. In the Catholic Church, we are focused on the dignity of life – and it goes to the very heart of Catholic social teaching,” said Judith Maten, director of evangelization and catechesis for the Archdiocese of Detroit, who will emcee the conference. “This conference gives us a vital opportunity to recommit ourselves to the truths we profess about life – especially as much of secular society, and even the government, oppose our ideals. People look to the Catholic Church and its teachings to inform their own thinking.”

The all-day conference begins at 7:30 a.m. with a liturgy celebrated by Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, and also will feature keynote addresses from Kimberly Young, interim superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit; Dr. Peter Kreeft, a well-known Catholic apologist and author; and Father Alex Kratz, a Franciscan priest who serves as evangelization coordinator for the Archdiocese. The Knights of Columbus will present awards to winners of a pro-life student essay contest.

For a detailed schedule of the third annual Life is a Gift conference, visit www.aod.org/lifeisagift. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is located at 2701 Chicago Boulevard in Detroit. Reporters interested in covering the event can call the Archdiocese Public Relations Office at 313-237-5802 for further details.

Catholics to Mark Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The Catholic community of Detroit is marking Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with volunteer efforts in the city of Detroit by hundreds of Catholic youths on Saturday, Jan. 19, and a liturgy at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit on Monday, Jan. 21.

“When we capsulize Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, his vision falls in line with Catholic social teaching. He envisioned a world where everyone was accepted, where everyone was at the table – and, really, what he was doing was following in the footsteps of Jesus,” said John Thorne, director of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of Detroit, regarding the Catholic Church’s activities surrounding Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s national holiday Jan. 21. “What we are doing is celebrating Rev. King’s relationship with Jesus, and asking ourselves, ‘How can we be the life of Christ in our community?’”

Saturday: 350 Youths to Volunteer

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, more than 350 teenagers, from Catholic parish youth groups in the city and suburbs, will volunteer at 11 sites across the city. After a similar, though smaller, effort last year, a group of youths spearheaded this year’s volunteer efforts themselves through an organization called Young Faith Activators of Christ’s Teachings (YFACT).

The volunteering youths are from Detroit churches, as well as churches in Allen Park, Berkley, Birmingham, Canton, Dearborn, Grosse Ile, Grosse Pointe, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Roseville and St. Clair Shores. They will be serving the poor and homeless, visiting the elderly at senior centers, helping to operate soup kitchens and food pantries, among other volunteer activities. Following the volunteer efforts, they will hold a youth rally at 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

“People were transformed through Rev. Martin Luther King’s work and vision, and these young people have seen that and they want to be changed by this experience. Through it, we hope they can see first-hand that they are empowered to make a change to their community,” said Joyce Francois, youth ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Detroit, who is helping oversee the effort. “This volunteer day also speaks to Rev. King’s vision of unity. We’re bringing youths from parishes in the city, and in the suburbs, and hopefully they’ll be building those relationships that will last a lifetime.”

Monday: Bishop to Celebrate Dr. King Day Mass

On Monday, as the nation celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Catholics will mark the occasion with a liturgy at 10 a.m. the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda will be the principal celebrant at the Mass, which each year is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Detroit Office for Black Catholic Ministries. The Urban Parish Youth Choir will provide music for the liturgy.

Note to Media:

Reporters interested in covering either of these events can call the Archdiocese of Detroit Public Relations Office at (313) 237-5802 for further details and volunteer locations. The Cathedral is located at 9844 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, one mile north of West Grand Boulevard and one mile south of the Davison Freeway.