Detroit — Parishioners of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, learned the weekend of May 6 that the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, based in Chicago, will withdraw from administering the parish as of Aug. 1.

The religious order has served at the parish since its foundation in 1926, but a shortage of available priests led to the decision to withdraw, according to Fr. Bernard Scianna, OSA, prior provincial of the Midwest Augustinians, in a letter in the parish’s bulletin.

“This decision was not made lightly and we consider this withdrawal a significant loss to us,” the letter from Fr. Scianna in the bulletin read. “We are grateful for the many blessings we have received over the many years by serving the parish, and we wish you all the best as you enter this new era in your history.”

At the same time, the Archdiocese of Detroit announced that the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel — also known as the Michaelites — has agreed to take over the administration of St. Clare of Montefalco upon the Augustinians’ withdrawal. Bishops Francis Reiss and Michael Byrnes, along with Msgr. Robert McClory, moderator of the archdiocesan Curia, were at St. Clare to make the announcement at several weekend Masses.

Fr. Andrew Kowalczyk, the North American provincial of the Michaelites in London, Ontario, will begin in the fall to serve as the next pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco. Fr. Jan Burczyk, CSMA, will serve as administrator from Aug. 1 until Fr. Kowalczyk’s arrival.

The Michaelites were founded inPolandin 1897 and have served parishes, schools and retreat houses in Canada for 50 years. St. Clare will be the first foundation for the Michaelites in the United States.

Fr. David Brecht, OSA, the parish’s current Augustinian pastor, will remain as headmaster of Austin Catholic Academy in Ray Township, and Fr. Tom Griffin, OSA, the parish’s associate pastor, will return to Chicago and be part of the community of St. Turibius Parish.

“It is sad news, but it also looks toward what we all hope will be a blessed future” Fr. Brecht told his parishioners. “I encourage you to celebrate our 86 years together at St. Clare and to thank the Lord for all the gifts we have shared during that time.”