Orchard Lake — Fr. Michael Woroniewicz, until recently the pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Ida, has been named to succeed Msgr. Thomas Machalski as rector of SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary on the campus of the Orchard Lake Schools.

Since 2006, Fr. Woroniewicz has been a member of the faculty of SS. Cyril & Methodius, which trains foreign-born priesthood candidates — mostly from Poland — to minister in the United States. He has taught as an adjunct professor of homiletics and liturgy.

“I will miss being a pastor, smack in the middle of Monroe County, where I have been for the last 15 years, which is half of my priesthood,” Fr. Woroniewicz wrote in the newsletter for the Monroe Vicariate, where he served as vicar until July 1. “At the same time, I know that new experiences and opportunities are waiting for me, and that’s exciting. Deep down, I really feel that this is God’s call to me as I am led in this new direction.”

The announcement of Fr. Woroniewicz as the seminary’s rector follows the July 24 announcement that Fr. Miroslaw Krol, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, will serve as chancellor of the Orchard Lake Schools. Msgr. Machalski served in both roles since 2012.

Fr. Woroniewicz’ appointment was approved by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who oversees the seminary’s care.

Fr. Woroniewicz, who was ordained in 1985, holds degrees from Wayne State University, the Aquinas Institute of Theology and the University of Notre Dame, in addition to his priestly formation at St. John Provincial Seminary and Sacred Heart Seminary College.

He has served at a number of local parishes, including St. Mary, Royal Oak; St. Irene, Dundee; St. Leonard of Maurice, Warren; St. Joseph, Ida; St. Dennis, Royal Oak; St. Jude, Detroit; and St. Patrick, White Lake.