Visit of Bishop Linus Seong-hyo Lee of Masan, South Korea
Archbishop Weisenburger received at his residence a visit from Bishop Linus Seong-hyo Lee of the Diocese of Masan, South Korea, who met with the archbishop to discuss the care of Korean Catholics in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Joining the visit was Fr. Seungsoo Oh, a priest of the Diocese of Masan who is currently serving at St. Andrew Kim Parish in Northville, the only personal parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit dedicated to serving Korean Catholics, along with the vicar general of the Diocese of Masan, and the parish council chairman from St. Andrew Kim.
Mass and tour of Gesu Parish and School's 'Laudato Si'' environmental projects
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated Mass with students and parishioners of Gesu Parish and School in northwest Detroit. Afterward, student tour guides led the archbishop on a tour of the parish's many Laudato Si' environmental projects, which include a vineyard on reclaimed land, solar panels, EV chargers and a rainwater garden. Since 2015, the church and school, run by members of the Jesuit order, has sought to improve the environment in the spirit of Pope Francis' landmark encyclical. In 2023, the parish began the process to be designated as a "Laudato Si'" parish.
Archbishop Weisenburger receives a tour of the church and school grounds, which include more than a dozen projects over the past decade designed to be good stewards of the environment.
Among the projects at Gesu include a vineyard planted on a formerly vacant lot.
Casual Sunday dinner with the SOLT community at Most Holy Redeemer
On a beautiful evening Sunday, Oct. 5, Archbishop Weisenburger enjoyed a casual outdoor dinner with priests and brothers of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) who are ministering in the Archdiocese of Detroit at Most Holy Redeemer Parish and School in southwest Detroit.
Celebrating the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated a special feast day Mass in honor of St. Therese of Lisieux at her namesake parish, the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak. The basilica is hosting the first stop of a nationwide tour of St. Therese of Lisieux's relics, which are available for veneration by the faithful until Oct. 8. Before Mass, Archbishop Weisenburger visited with clergy, sacristans and servers at the parish, who each worked to make the feast day Mass special and inviting.
Celebrating Our Lady of the Woods Parish's 50th anniversary in Woodhaven
On Sunday, Sept. 28, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated the 50th anniversary of Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodhaven with a Mass that included clergy, servers and longtime parishioners at the Downriver parish. Fr. John Leo Phalen, 94, the parish's founding pastor, and Fr. Robert Johnson, the parish's current priest, concelebrated the Mass with the archbishop. Fr. Phalen also celebrated the parish's first Mass on Sept. 6, 1975.
Ordaining three new permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Detroit
On Saturday, Sept. 27, Archbishop Weisenburger ordained Deacons Joseph Jones, John Kovacik and John Rybski to the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. The three new deacons, together with their families, gathered afterward for a reception at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Archbishop Weisenburger assigned Deacon Jones to serve at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Detroit; Deacon Kovacik to serve as permanent deacon for St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township; and Deacon Rynski to serve as permanent deacon for Holy Family Parish in Novi.
Archbishop Weisenburger lays his hands upon the head of Deacon John Rybski to ordain him to the diaconate Sept. 27 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, shortly before also ordaining Deacon John Kovacik (center) and Deacon Joseph Jones (right).
Archbishop Weisenburger smiles with Deacon John Kovacik after the ordination Mass.
Archbishop Weisenburger smiles for a photo with Deacon John Kovacik's 3-year-old son, Noah.
Enjoying the St. Thecla Fall Festival in Clinton Township
Archbishop Weisenburger spent the day Sunday, Sept. 21, at the St. Thecla Fall Festival in Clinton Township, where he chatted with parishioners and community members, enjoyed a Polish sausage lunch, and took in some of the fall festivities at one of Metro Detroit's many parish festivals. Fr. Kevin Roelant, the priest serving St. Thecla Parish, showed the archbishop around and served as host.
Fr. Kevin Roelant introduces Archbishop Weisenburger to his parents, Paul and Amy Roelant, before heading to the dunk tank.
Blessing and rededication of Sacred Heart Major Seminary's auditorium
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Archbishop Weisenburger joined friends and supporters of Sacred Heart Major Seminary for Mass and a blessing of the seminary's newly renovated auditorium, which has been under construction for more than a year. A reception followed the rededication in Sacred Heart's Bishop Gallagher Parlor.
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop-emeritus Allen H. Vigneron and members of the Archdiocese of Detroit and Sacred Heart communities gather in the Bishop Gallagher Parlor during a reception following the rededication.
"I asked our seminarian photographer to help me take pictures, but he seemed to be more focused on selfies 😂😎😁," the archbishop laughed.
Attending the St. Anne Sausage Festival in Warren
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Archbishop Weisenburger attended the St. Anne Sausage Festival in Warren, one of the largest parish festivals in southeast Michigan. Fr. Derik Peterman, the priest serving at St. Anne Parish, served as the host for the evening, along with parish volunteers. "I thought I was heading to a nice quiet Polish sausage festival in a parish hall. I didn't realize I was basically going to a major county fair!" Archbishop Weisenburger said. "It was a delightful event, and incredibly good sausage, pierogi, and sauerkraut."
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan's annual celebration at St. John's Resort
On Sept. 18, Archbishop Weisenburger attended Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan's annual gala held at St. John's Resort in Plymouth. The yearly celebration is the largest fundraiser of the year for Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, which provides for the corporal works of mercy in local communities, as well as a chance to honor individuals who have made a difference through their work and ministries.
