Faithful laud appointment
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published November 3, 2006
Photo by Larry Peplin
Msgr. Daniel Flores, auxiliary bishop-designate forthe Archdiocese of Detroit, mingles during a receptionat Sacred Heart Major Seminary. | Detroit — Members of the Archdiocese of Detroit's Hispanic community, and those who minister to them, were happy and excited at the news that the archdiocese would soon be getting its first Hispanic bishop.
Bishop-designate Daniel E. Flores, formerly of the diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, will be ordained later this month to serve the archdiocese and especially its Spanish-speaking community. After the announcement was made last Saturday, he spent time meeting with and talking to priests who minister to Hispanics and members of the Hispanic laity.
Fr. Marc Gawronski, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Monroe, had been one of the priests on the phone spreading the news that morning.
"As the Hispanic community grows, Bishop-designate Flores will be able to accompany them and be a model for them, so that they will grow in an awareness that they are a very important part of the Church," he said.
Fr. Sean Sylvester, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pontiac, said a benefit to having a bishop like Bishop-elect Flores is that he's familiar with both American and Mexican culture.
"We're excited to have him," Fr. Sylvester said.
Fr. Chris Talbot, Fr. Sylvester's associate, said he believed Bishop-designate Flores' coming to Detroit will likely help incorporate the Latino community even more so into the archdiocese, allowing the Church to receive the many gifts the community has to offer.
"This is great news," he said.
Joaquin Hercules, a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximilian Kolbe in Ray Township, said he was looking forward to the bishop participating in confirmations and other celebrations.
"We've been waiting for this for a long time," Hercules said. "Today we're very happy we gained a bishop."
Rafael Jimenez, deacon at St. Hedwig Parish, Detroit, called the news "a blessing from God." said his wife, Margarita. "Now that we have our own bishop, I can see how we can live and enjoy our culture in our religion so much fuller," she said.
 Online
Listen to audio recordings of the remarks by Bishop-designate Daniel Flores and Cardinal Adam Maida. | Blanca Zaldana, who was there for the announcement, said she was happy to have attened.
"It was great to have him speak in Spanish," she said. "It's as if we have a father for our community."
Related Article:
'When people accept the will of God and enact it a church is formed,' says bishop at home parish
By Kristina Gutierrez, South Texas Catholic
The church exists before a building is formed; the Gospel is challenging; and God's grace is for all, not just a chosen few. These were the messages relayed to the people of St. Paul the Apostle Parish by one of their own, Bishop Daniel Flores, who returned to his home parish January 27 for the celebration of the Eucharist.
'Took my breath away' - Detroit's first Hispanic bishop-designate surprised by appointment, thanks God for opportunity to serve
Kristin Lukowski
Detroit — Bishop-designate Daniel Flores said he was taking calls in his office at the cathedral rectory in Corpus Christi, Texas — and late for a meeting — when he got the call that he would be the next auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
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