Archdiocese Restructuring Updates

My dear Parishioners,

The Archdiocese of Detroit has formally entered into the process of restructuring, and I would like to share some important updates with you.

Declining Mass attendance, fewer priests and financial strains caused by lower offertory contributions and demographic shifts have impacted our ability to maintain and sustain more than two hundred church buildings throughout our archdiocese.

In January, over 170 priests from across the archdiocese gathered for prayer, discernment and strategic discussion to develop the first round of restructuring models. Each model includes potential groupings of parishes within a particular geographic area.

This spring, every parish will host two listening sessions where this first draft of models will be presented. Our parish listening sessions are scheduled for Monday, June 15th and Wednesday, June 17th from 7-9 PM in the Church. You may RSVP for one of these sessions at restructuring.aod.org. These sessions will give you the opportunity to review the models and share your feedback. After feedback is gathered from every parish, many of the models may be revised. Archbishop Weisenburger will discern the revised models before determining the future structure of the archdiocese, which will take effect July 1, 2027.

As a result of this process, every parish will undergo some degree of change. I encourage you to view any change that may come as an opportunity to reenvision how we minister to the people we serve. Given the upcoming structural shifts and decreasing number of priests, some parishes will experience some adjustment to their Mass schedules. While challenging, this may be an opportunity to welcome new people, strengthen ministries and collaborate more intentionally. Parish staff members may see shifts in responsibility as new teams are formed across parish boundaries.

The thought of change can be difficult when it touches our spiritual homes, our priests and the parish community we hold dear, but with every change and challenge, I want to assure you that God is with us. He is inviting us to lay down our fears and receive new and hopeful opportunities to renew the Church here in southeastern Michigan. Let us come to our listening sessions not ready to fight, argue or insist that we are exempt from change, but let us come with docility to the Holy Spirit, with open hearts and hands, ready to receive what the Lord desires to give and ready to serve in whatever ways we are called.  

I remain Yours in Christ,

Father Stan