From the Archbishop

Word for Little Ones

Kathy From the Archbishop, Weekly message
We are looking for volunteers to help with the Children’s Ministry which occurs most Sundays during the Liturgy of the Word at the 12
noon Mass. (approx 20 mins). During this time you will lead the children, preschool age thru 3rd grade, in a discussion of the gospel message which may be reinforced with a quick project or game There is minimal time commitment required but a great deal of satisfaction. Please      help us keep this ministry strong and volunteer some time by calling Bonnie at 313-532-4394 ext 101

 Catholic Services Appeal

Our Holy Father has invited all Catholics to renew their personal relationship with our Savior, as “the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.” In this spirit, the theme of the 2017 Catholic Services Appeal is Opening Doors to Encounter Christ.

As our theme suggests, Jesus encourages us to examine our lives and reflect on how we may experience a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. At the same time, He also asks that we open doors so others may also have this personal encounter with Him.

Each year, our CSA brings us this opportunity. Together, as Christian stewards, we live out the Gospel mission of our Church through our support of the CSA. The ministries, programs, and services our annual appeal funds reach every soul in our six-county Archdiocese, strengthening urban and rural faith communities alike. No one individual or parish could possibly accomplish all of these good works themselves! Truly, the CSA transforms our diverse family of believers into, in the words of Pope Francis, a “band of joyful missionary disciples.”

As you prayerfully consider your pledge to the 2017 CSA, please take a moment to read how grateful your friends and neighbors are for the personal benefits they have received from the good works the CSA supports right here in our local Church. I am sure you will be inspired to once again make the most generous gift possible.

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit

CSA—St. Valentine

Please be sure to pick up your CSA envelope in the main vestibule. Thank you in advance for helping us keep down the cost of mailing out this important information.

Two New Auxiliary Bishops Named for Archdiocese

Kathy From the Archbishop

Pope Francis has named two local priests, Father Gerard W. Battersby and Father Robert J. Fisher, to be auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Bishops-designate Battersby and Fisher will be ordained as the archdiocese’s 29th and 30th auxiliary bishops, respectively, on January 25, 2017, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Auxiliary bishops aid the archbishop in the pastoral care of the archdiocese.

“All of us in the Archdiocese of Detroit are deeply grateful that Pope Francis has named Father Battersby and Father Fisher, two well-loved and respected priests in our archdiocese, to be auxiliary bishops in our local church,” said Archbishop Allen Vigneron, the Archbishop of Detroit. “Just days ago we celebrated Synod ‘16 to move the whole Catholic community in Southeast Michigan forward in our efforts to Unleash the Gospel. Both of these new bishops bring a rich set of gifts and talents to the roles they will play in leading our community in our mission to share the Good News of Jesus.”

Bishop-designate Gerard W. Battersby: He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 30, 1998. He has served at St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township and at St. Gerard, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Presentation-Our Lady of Victory parishes in Detroit. He was made director of graduate seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 2007 before being assigned to graduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in Rome. Since 2011, he has been serving as vice-rector and dean of seminarian formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He also has been pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish in Detroit since October 2015.

 “I would like to thank God and Pope Francis for this inestimable blessing,” Bishop-designate Battersby said. “It is with joy and confidence in Jesus Christ that I accepted the Holy Father’s invitation to be a co-worker of his in the apostolic ministry. I would also like to thank Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who has been truly a good shepherd and a sterling exemplar to me.”

 Bishop-designate Robert J. Fisher: He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 27, 1992. Following his ordination he served at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods, as director of priestly vocations for the archdiocese, at St. Angela Parish in Roseville and at St. Lawrence Parish in Utica. He has been rector of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak since March 2014.

 “I am humbled by the Holy Father’s call to serve as an auxiliary bishop,” said Bishop-designate Fisher. “I am grateful for Archbishop Vigneron’s guidance, direction and fraternal support. With the prayers of the community, I will direct all my energy toward sharing Christ in and through the Church.”

 In the Detroit Archdiocese, Bishops-designate Battersby and Fisher join Auxiliary Bishops Donald Hanchon and Arturo Cepeda, and retired Auxiliary Bishops Francis Reiss and Thomas Gumbleton. Archbishop Allen Vigneron serves as chief shepherd for the 1.3 million Catholics who reside in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Lapeer and St. Clair counties.