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.
Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance's 35th Annual Harvest Dinner
On Sept. 17, Archbishop Weisenburger took part in the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance's 35th annual Harvest Dinner and awards banquet at Eastern Market's Shed 3 on Detroit's east side. The event is a chance to honor those in the community who are serving others in unsung ways. The archbishop is pictured with Fr. Thomas Lumpkin, a member of the DCPA's board of directors.
Mass with the Detroit Oakland Serra Club at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House
On Sept. 16, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated Mass with members of the Detroit Oakland Serra Club, a lay-led apostolate that promotes a culture of vocations in southeast Michigan parishes, at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills. The Mass was followed by a dinner and talk in the retreat center's dining room.
Annual meeting of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre in Grand Rapids
Over the weekend, Archbishop Weisenburger attended the annual meeting of the Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which took place this year in Grand Rapids. The North Central Lieutenancy includes members from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky. The annual meeting includes Masses, gatherings and the investiture of new members of the order.
Supporting the local Muslim community after vandalism at Warren mosque
Archbishop Weisenburger, along with interfaith and civic leaders across Metro Detroit, expressed their support, encouragement and solidarity with the local Muslim community Sept. 12 after a construction site at the Islamic Organization of North America's mosque in Warren was vandalized. Archbishop Weisenburger is pictured with Imam Steve Mustafa Elturk, president of the Islamic Organization of North America, and Warren police commissioner Eric Hawkins.
