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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  54 priests celebrate jubilees for lives of service

Published May 30, 2008

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Cardinals Adam Maida (right) and Edmund Szoka preside at the Mass with priest jubilarians in Sacred Heart Major Seminary's main chapel on Tuesday.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Many clergy members were in the congregation for Mass to mark their brother priests' jubilees.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Cardinal Adam Maida greets 25-, 40- and 50-year jubilarians before Mass.

The Church of Detroit honored 54 priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood at a Jubilee Mass and luncheon Tuesday, May 27, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

These men have given our Church the gift of their lives. Through their love of Jesus Christ and their dedication to bringing His love and Word to us, we have been forever changed.

They baptized us and our children, perhaps even our parents and grandparents. They taught us, prayed for us, consoled us, and shaped our faith. They cared for us when we were sick, conducted our weddings and presided at the funerals of our loved ones.

For all they have done for us — baptisms, funerals, marriages, sick visits — and for simply being men of prayer, we thank them.

This year's jubilarians include 10 celebrating 25 years, seven marking 40 years, eight marking 50 years, three marking 60 years, five marking 61 years, six marking 62 years, four marking 63 years, three celebrating 65 years, three marking at 66 years, two marking 67 years, and one each celebrating 68, 69 and 70 years.

Information about diocesan priests celebrating jubilees this year follows.

(Photos of each jubilarian can be viewed in the May 30, 2008 print edition of The Michigan Catholic Newspaper.)

70th Anniversary – Class of 1938 Fr. James L. Hayes 69th Anniversary – Class of 1939 Msgr. Ferdinand J. DeCneudt 68th Anniversary – Class of 1940 Fr. Ferdinand A. Wolber 67th Anniversary – Class of 1941 Fr. Donald B. Kuntz Fr. Henry E. Villerot 66th Anniversary – Class of 1942 Fr. Andrew J. Forish Fr. Ralph E. Kowalski Fr. Leonard J. Partensky 65th Anniversary – Class of 1943 Fr. Jerome A. Herman Fr. William J. McGoldrick Msgr.Thomas H. Villerot 63nd Anniversary – Class of 1945 Fr. Joseph A. Janiga Fr. Edward F. Konopka Fr. Henry S. Kreft Fr. Paul D. Xuereb 62nd Anniversary – Class of 1946 Fr. Ronald L. Heidelberger Fr. C. Paul Higdon Fr. Charles F. O'Neill Fr. Joseph F. Ryder Fr. Jasper F. Sirianni Fr. J. Walter Stanievich 61st Anniversary – Class of 1947 Fr. Erwin J. Bauer Fr. Walter E. Burke Fr. Albert U. Lombardi Fr. Arthur F. Neffy Fr. James P. O'Hagan 60th Anniversary – Class of 1948 Fr. Paul C. Berg Fr. Joseph F. Downey, S.J. Fr. Fabian B. Slominski 50th Anniversary – Class of 1958 Fr. R. Gerard Albright, S.J. Fr. Moses B. Anderson, S.S.E. Fr. Thomas R. Byrne Fr. John Gagala Fr. Thomas Heier, C.M.M. Fr. Joseph F. Maloney, O.F.M. Cap. Fr. Leo F. Sabourin Fr. Donald L. Walker 40th Anniversary – Class of 1968 Fr. Timothy F. Babcock Fr. Arthur R. Baranowski Fr. Richard J. Cassidy Fr. Jack V. Fabian Fr. Gerard P. Frawley, S.A.C. Fr. Robert Weakley, O.F.M. Fr. John P. Wheeler, C.S.B. 25th Anniversary – Class of 1983 Fr. Ralph R. Besterwitch, S.A.C. Fr. Michael Cremin, S.A.C. Fr. John C. Esper Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski Fr. Charles M. Morris Fr. Stanley L. Pachla Fr. Randall L. Phillips Fr. Joseph A. Plawecki Fr. William L. Verbryke, S.J. Fr. Robert J. Wojciechowski

70 years

Fr. James L. Hayes

Fr. Hayes, 95, was born in Detroit, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio. He also attended the University of Detroit and Wayne State University, earning a master of arts in education, and did further post-graduate work at the Gregorian University through the North American College in Rome.

He was ordained June 11, 1938, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Anthony Church, Detroit.

Fr. Hayes served as assistant pastor at: Santa Maria Parish, Detroit (1938); Sacred Heart Parish, Dearborn (1938-43); St. Catherine Parish, Detroit (1943-48); Sacred Heart Parish, Roseville (1948-50); and Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Detroit (1950-52).

In 1952 he was named to the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary, where he served until his 1960 appointment as pastor of St. Michael Parish, Pontiac.

Fr. Hayes then served as pastor of Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak (1966-74), before being named associate pastor of Guardian Angels Parish, Detroit (1974-80). He was associate pastor of St. Valentine Parish, Redford Township, from 1980 until 2000. He was granted senior priest status in 1982.

His ministry included service on the Archdiocesan School Board, the archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal; the Junior Clergy Examining Board; as a spiritual director at Sacred Heart Seminary; and on the President's Cabinet of Madonna University.

He was recipient of the Fr. John Farrell Award in 1970, which enabled him to study in Rome for three months; and he was the 1995 recipient of Sacred Heart Seminary's Outstanding Former Faculty Award.

69 years

Msgr. Ferdinand J. DeCneudt

Msgr. DeCneudt, 95, was born in Ghent, Belgium, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained June 3, 1939, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church, Detroit.

After a brief assignment as assistant pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Detroit, in the summer of 1939, Fr. DeCneudt served as assistant pastor at St. Elizabeth Parish, Wyandotte (1939-42); Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Detroit (1942-48); St. Joan of Arc Parish, St. Clair Shores (1948-52); St. Edward Parish, Detroit, (1952-53); and Our Lady of Victory Parish, Detroit (1953-58).

He was named pastor of Madonna and St. Paul (Maltese) parishes, Detroit, in 1958, and then became pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Parish in Fraser (1964-82).

He was made a monsignor in 1965, and was granted senior priest status in 1982.

68 years

Fr. Ferdinand A. Wolber

Fr. Wolber, 94, was born in Detroit, attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained May 18, 1940, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Elizabeth Church, Detroit.

Fr. Wolber served as an assistant pastor at Nativity of Our Lord, Detroit (1940-45), then as a chaplain in the U.S. Army (1945-47).

He returned to serve as assistant pastor at St. Monica Parish, Detroit (1947-52); St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1952-57); and St. Edward Parish, Detroit (1957-59).

In 1959 he was appointed founding pastor of St. Genevieve Parish, Livonia, where he ministered until being granted senior priest status in 1984.

During his ministry Fr. Wolber also was a member of the archdiocesan Priests Senate, and of the archdiocesan incardination and assignment boards. He also served as a chaplain to the Michigan National Guard.

67 years

Fr. Donald B. Kuntz

Fr. Kuntz, 94, born in Detroit, attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained June 7, 1941, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Theresa Parish, Detroit.

Fr. Kuntz served as assistant pastor at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Hazel Park (1941-46), and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pontiac (1946-50), before becoming assistant director of religious education for the archdiocese (1950-54).

He served as assistant pastor at Visitation Parish, Detroit (1954-59), and at St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township (1959-61).

In 1961 Fr. Kuntz was named pastor of St. Cletus Parish, Warren, where he served until being granted senior priest status in 1984.

Fr. Henry E. Villerot

Fr. Villerot, 92, was born in Detroit, attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained June 7, 1941, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Agnes Church, Detroit.

Fr. Villerot served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, River Rouge (1941-46); St. Aloysius Parish, Detroit (1946-51); and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit (1951-56).

He served as chaplain to Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit (1956-60), also serving as chaplain to Detroit Osteopathic Hospital, Highland Park, during the first year of that assignment.

Fr. Villerot was pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Detroit (1960-66); and also served as pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, St. Clair Shores (1966-72), and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Birmingham, from 1972 until being granted senior priest status in 1985.

66 years

Fr. Andrew J. Forish

Fr. Forish, 90, was born in Coral, Pa., attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained May 30, 1942, and celebrated his first Mass at SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Detroit.

Fr. Forish served as assistant pastor at SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Detroit (1942-47); and at SS. Andrew & Benedict Parish, Detroit (1947-52), before becoming that parish's administrator (1952-61).

In 1961 he was appointed pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, where he had been an assistant, and then served as pastor of St. Michael Parish, Livonia, from 1967 until being granted senior priest status in 1987.

Fr. Ralph E. Kowalski

Fr. Kowalski, 91, was born in Detroit, attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, the Pontifical Gregorian University through the North American College in Rome, and Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He later returned to Rome for post-graduate studies in philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum).

He was ordained May 30, 1942, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Gregory the Great Church in Detroit.

Fr. Kowalski served as assistant pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (summer of 1942); St. Catherine Parish, Detroit (1942-47); and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit (1947-50).

He served at Santa Maria del Alago Church in Rome while pursuing post-graduate studies there (1950-52).

In 1952 he returned to the archdiocese to serve on the faculty of Marygrove College, Detroit.

Fr. Kowalski was named pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Detroit (1966-72); co-adjutor/pastor in 1972 and named pastor in 1973. He was appointed director for continuing education for priests, and in 1978 deacon moderator.

He served as director of the archdiocesan Department of Education (1979-81).

Fr. Kowalski was pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods, from 1981 until being granted senior priest status in 1987. During those years he also served as a member of the College of Consultors (1983-85) and as vicar of the Detroit-Grosse Pointe Vicariate (1983-86).

Fr. Leonard J. Partensky

Fr. Partensky, 92, was born in Detroit, attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Md.

He was ordained May 30, 1942, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Alphonsus Church, Dearborn.

Fr. Partensky served as assistant pastor at St. David of Wales Parish, Detroit (1942-43); St. John Nepomucene Parish, Detroit (1943-48); St. Margaret Mary Parish, Detroit (1948-52); St. James Parish, Ferndale (1952-58); and St. Joan of Arc Parish, St. Clair Shores (1958-60).

In 1960 he was named pastor of St. Matthias Parish, Sterling Heights, and then served as pastor of St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township (1967-69); and St. Joseph Parish, South Lyon (1969-70).

He was associate pastor of St. Michael Parish, Livonia (1970-81); Our Lady of Refuge Parish, Orchard Lake (1981-82); and St. Michael Parish, Livonia, from 1982 until being granted senior priest status in 1987.

65 years

Fr. Jerome A. Herman

Fr. Herman, 90, was born in Detroit, and attended St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained Dec. 18, 1943, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Hyacinth Church, Detroit.

Fr. Herman served as an assistant pastor at Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit (1944-49); as chaplain to St. Francis Hospital, Hamtramck (1949-51); assistant pastor at St. Francis d'Assisi Parish, Detroit (1951) and Resurrection Parish, Detroit (1952).

He served as assistant pastor at St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township (1957-59); St. Michael Parish, Pontiac (1959); St. Albert the Great Parish, Dearborn Heights (1959-60); and St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1960).

In 1969 he became temporary administrator of St. Barnabas Parish, Eastpointe. In 1970 he was named pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Detroit, where he served until 1976.

He was granted senior priest status in 1982.

Fr. William J. McGoldrick

Fr. McGoldrick, 89, was born in Detroit, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Norwood, Ohio. He later went on to earn a master of divinity degree from the Athenaeum of Ohio in Cincinnati.

He was ordained May 29, 1943, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Cecilia Church, Detroit.

Fr. McGoldrick served as assistant pastor at: St. Mary Parish, Manchester, and its missions, St. Dominic, Clinton; St. Joseph, Irish Hills; and St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh (1944); then assistant pastor of St. Dominic, with continuing responsibilities at the Irish Hills and Tecumseh missions (1944-49).

He was an assistant pastor at St. Benedict, Highland Park (1949-54); St. Paul on the Lake Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms (1954-58).

In 1958, Fr. McGoldrick was appointed chaplain to the Adrian Dominican Sisters, and their Siena Heights College and St. Joseph Academy, and was at the nearby State Training School for Girls.

He became founding pastor of St. Edmund Parish, Warren, in 1961, and served there until being granted senior priest status in 1988.

During his ministry, Fr. McGoldrick also served on the Priests Senate and the Presbyteral Council. He was also a recipient of the archdiocese's Cardinal Mooney Award.

Msgr. Thomas H. Villerot

Msgr. Villerot, 90, was born in Detroit, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and the Catholic University of America, as well as earning a master's degree from the University of Detroit.

He was ordained May 29, 1943, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Agnes Church, Detroit.

Msgr. Villerot served as assistant pastor at: St. Joseph Parish, Erie (1943-47); St. Catherine Parish, Detroit (1947-52); St. Lawrence Parish, Detroit (1952); and St. Mary Parish, Royal Oak (1952-57).

In 1957 he was appointed to the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary; and was later named pastor of St. Martin Parish, Detroit (1965-70). He also served as pastor of St. Jude Parish, Detroit (1970-79), during which time he was vicar of the Gratiot Vicariate (1971-73).

Msgr. Villerot was pastor of St. Valerie of Ravenna Parish, Clinton Township, from 1979 until he was granted senior priest status in 1987.

He returned to St. Mary Parish, Royal Oak, as temporary administrator from September to December 1989. He was appointed to the archdiocesan College of Consultors (1990-92), and was named a prelate of honor to His Holiness (monsignor) in March 1990.

63 years

Fr. Joseph A. Janiga

Fr. Janiga, 88, was born in Detroit, and attended St. Stephen Grade School, Detroit; St. Mary's Preparatory and College, Orchard Lake; and the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He went on to earn master's degrees from the University of Detroit, Catholic University of America and Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.

He was ordained Oct. 27, 1945, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Stephen Church, Detroit.

Fr. Janiga was appointed to the faculty of St. Mary's College and SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake (1945-77); associate pastor of St. Michael Parish, Pontiac (1977-78); and associate pastor of St. Cletus Parish, Warren (1978-83).

He was named pastor of St. Helena Parish, Wyandotte (1983-89), and was granted senior priest status June 30, 1989.

Fr. Edward F. Konopka

Fr. Konopka, 88, was born in Detroit, and attended St. Stephen and St. Cunegunda grade schools in Detroit, before going on to Sacred Heart Seminary for high school and college. He earned a master of divinity degree from SS.Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake.

He was ordained Oct. 27, 1945, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Cunegunda Church, Detroit.

Fr. Konopka was assistant pastor at SS. Peter & Paul (West Side) Parish (1945-51), at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Detroit, (1951-56), and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wyandotte (1956-59).

He was appointed chaplain to Mount Carmel Hospital, Detroit (1959-60).

Fr. Konopka was founding pastor of St. Colman Parish, Farmington (1960-66); then served as pastor of St. Michael Parish, Pontiac (1966-71); St. Isidore Parish, Macomb Township (1971-74); Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, Detroit (1974-1982); and St. Alan Parish, Troy (1982-94).

Besides his parish assignments, he was vicar of the North Oakland-Pontiac Vicariate (1967-68) and was coordinator for the building of Pontiac Catholic High School in 1968.

He was granted senior priest status in June 1994, but was called back several times to serve as temporary administrator of parishes in Lapeer, Detroit and Livonia.

Fr. Henry S. Kreft

Fr. Kreft, 91, was born in Detroit, and attended St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 24, 1945, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Stephen Church, Detroit.

Fr. Kreft was assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Detroit (1945-50); St. Lawrence Parish, Detroit (1950-55); St. Mary Parish, Wayne (1955-60); and St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens (1960-61).

He was named administrator of St. Alexis Mission, Willow Run (1961-65); then pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Auburn Hills (1965-87). He was granted senior priest status Feb. 20, 1987.

Fr. Paul D. Xuereb

Fr. Xuereb, 86, was born in Valetta, Malta, and attended seminary there.

He was ordained Aug. 12, 1945, in Gozo, Malta.

After coming to Detroit, Fr. Xuereb served as associate pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Allen Park (1971-72); St. Dunstan Parish, Garden City (1972-74); and briefly at Sacred Heart Parish, Dearborn, during 1974.

After incardination into the Archdiocese of Detroit in December 1974, he was appointed administrator of St. Mary Parish, Royal Oak, for several months during 1975.

Fr. Xuereb served as associate pastor of St. Jude Parish, Detroit (1975-77); Guardian Angels Parish, Clawson (1977-78); St. Germaine Parish, St. Clair Shores (1978-79); St. Lawrence Parish, Utica (1979); St. Michael Parish, Sterling Heights (1979-83); then as pastor of St. Mary Mystical Rose Parish in Armada (1983-97).

He was granted senior priest status Aug. 1, 1997.

62 years

Fr. Ronald L. Heidelberger

Fr. Heidelberger, 87, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary and Mount St. Mary Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained Oct. 26, 1946, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Leo Church in Detroit.

Fr. Heidelberger served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Port Huron (1946-51) and Presentation Parish in Detroit (1951-55). From 1955 to 56, he ministered in the Archdiocesan Charities Office. He was chaplain from 1956 to 68 at the Wayne County Youth Home juvenile correctional facility. He then served as pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Detroit (1968-70), St. Ambrose Parish in Grosse Pointe (1970-76) and Visitation Parish in Detroit (1976-89). He was granted senior priest status in 1989.

During his ministry, Fr. Heidelberger also was a speaker for the Family Life Bureau, and served as part-time chaplain at Providence Hospital in Southfield (1984-94).

Fr. J. Walter Stanievich

Fr. Stanievich, 88, was born in Hamtramck and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained Oct. 26, 1946, in Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at St. George (Lithuanian) Church in Detroit.

Fr. Stanievich served as an assistant pastor at St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1946-51); St. Patrick Parish, Wyandotte (1951-54); and Holy Innocents Parish, Roseville (1954-59). He then served for three months as an assistant at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Detroit, before becoming temporary administrator and then pastor of St. Anthony (Lithuanian) Parish, Detroit, (1959-70). Besides his duties at St. Anthony, he was appointed administrator at St. Peter (Lithuanian) Parish in Detroit (1962-70).

Fr. Stanievich was pastor of St. Mark Parish, Warren (1970-91). He served as vicar of Warren-Center Line Vicariate for two consecutive terms (1973-79), and another term from 1982-85. He achieved senior priest status in 1991.

Fr. Stanievich then served as temporary administrator at St. Paschal Baylon Parish, Taylor (1993); St. Sylvester Parish, Warren (1994); St. Perpetua Parish, Waterford Township (1995); St. Henry Parish, Lincoln Park (1995); and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Ecorse (1997).

Fr. C. Paul Higdon

Fr. Higdon, 89, attended Holy Family Seminary in Oldenburg, Ind., University of Detroit, and Duns Scotus College in Southfield.

He was ordained May 31, 1946. On Nov. 6, 1973, Fr. Higdon was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Fr. Higdon served in Indiana and Kansas before serving as an associate at Guardian Angels and St. Raymond parishes, both in Detroit. He also served as an assistant pastor at St. Edward on the Lake Parish, Lakeport (1969-70); and St. Nicholas Mission, Capac (1970-72). In 1972, he was named associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Port Huron, and remained there until 1979. He also served as an associate pastor at St. Gertrude Parish, St. Clair Shores (1979-83); and St. William Parish, Walled Lake (1983-84).

In 1984, Fr. Higdon became the chaplain at both Mercy and Port Huron hospitals and Marwood Manor in Port Huron. He achieved senior priest status in 1991.

Fr. Charles O'Neill

Fr. O'Neill, 87, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and Mount St. Mary Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained October 26, 1946, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at Visitation Church in Detroit.

Fr. O'Neill served as assistant pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish, St. Clair Shores (1946-47); St. Gregory Parish, Detroit (1947-52); St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens (1952-57); and St. Catherine Parish in Detroit for three months in 1957. He served as an assistant at St. Francis de Sales Parish (1957-61) and St. Ignatius Parish (1961-64), both in Detroit. Fr. O'Neill served as pastor of Madonna Parish in Detroit (1964-68) and St. Raphael Parish in Garden City (1968-75). He then shared pastoral duties at St. Raphael Parish for three years before resuming sole pastoral responsibility from 1978 to 88. He achieved senior priest status in 1988. Fr. O'Neill then served as assistant at St. Mark Parish in Warren (1988-91), and from 1991 at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Dearborn Heights, where he still serves.

Fr. Joseph Ryder

Fr. Ryder, 87, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the University of Detroit.

He was ordained June 8, 1946, in Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Benedict Church in Highland Park.

Fr. Ryder served as an assistant pastor at Guardian Angels Parish (1946-51) and Assumption Grotto Parish (1951-55), both in Detroit; St. Anselm Parish, Dearborn (1955-60); and St. Ignatius Parish, Detroit (1960-61). He was pastor of St. Alexander Parish, Farmington Hills (1961-66); St. Louis Parish, Mount Clemens (1966-70); St. Andrew Parish, Rochester (1970-75); and St. Owen Parish, Bloomfield Hills (1975-92). He achieved senior priest status in 1992.

Fr. Ryder also served three years on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, six years on the National Liturgical Board (1960-66) and 20 years as chaplain for the Detroit Lions alumni.

Fr. Jasper Sirianni

Fr. Sirianni, 87, was born in Kane, Penn., and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained Oct. 26, 1946, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Detroit.

Fr. Sirianni served as an assistant pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (1946-51); St. Ignatius Parish, Detroit (1951-54); St. Clement Parish, Dearborn (1954-59); and St. Edward Parish, Detroit (1959-63). He served as pastor of St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish, Westland (1963-67); St. Philip Neri Parish, Detroit (1967-70); and St. Matthias Parish, Sterling Heights (1970-81). Fr. Sirianni served as vicar of the North Macomb Vicariate from 1978-81.

In 1981, he was named pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Emmet, where he served until 1991. Fr. Sirianni was vicar of the Port Huron Vicariate (1983-76). He achieved senior priest status in 1991, and then became the administrator at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (1991-2005).

During his parish ministry, Fr. Sirianni also served as notary for the archdiocesan Marriage Tribunal, on the Priests' Senate, and as chaplain for the Army National Guard and Reserve (1953-80).

Fr. Sirianni died May 20.

Fr. Erwin J. Bauer

Fr. Bauer, 86, was born in Redford Township, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained May 31, 1947, in Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Mary of Redford Church in northwest Detroit.

Fr. Bauer served as an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Dearborn (1947-52); St. Gregory the Great Parish, Detroit (1952-56); St. Agatha Parish, Redford Township (1956-61); St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish, New Baltimore (1961-63); and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish, Detroit (1963-65).

He founded St. Donald Parish, Roseville, in 1965, and served as pastor there until 1978. He also served as vicar of the Roseville-St. Clair Shores Vicariate from 1969-70.

From 1978-83 he served as pastor of St. Mary Mystical Rose Parish, Armada, and he served as vicar of the Thumb Vicariate from 1979-83.

Fr. Bauer was appointed pastor of St. Hubert Parish, Harrison Township in 1983, and served as vicar of the North Macomb Vicariate (1984-87). He was pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Eastpointe (1985-87), and was pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish, Columbus, and of Holy Rosary Mission, Smith's Creek (1987-91) and again (2001-03).

Granted senior priest status in 1991, he served as administrator of St. Mark Parish, Harsens Island, in 1991 and in 1996.

Fr. Walter E. Burke

Fr. Burke, 85, was born in Joliet, Ill., and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained May 31, 1947, in Detroit.

Fr. Burke served as an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Dearborn (1947-48); St. Alfred Parish, Taylor (1948-53); St. Brigid Parish, Detroit (1953-58); St. Elizabeth Parish, Detroit (1958-59); St. Agnes Parish, Detroit (1959-60); St. Ambrose Parish, Grosse Pointe Park (1960-63); St. Patrick Parish, White Lake Township (1963-67); and St. Anselm Parish (1967).

He was chaplain (1967-68) and pastor (1968-84) at St. Camillus Parish, Eloise Township (the Wayne County Hospital site). Fr. Burke was granted senior priest status in 1984.

Fr. Albert U. Lombardi

Fr. Lombardi, 85, was born in Ceprano, Italy. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained May 31, 1947, in Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at Nativity Church in Detroit.

Fr. Lombardi served as an assistant pastor at St. Rita Parish, Detroit (1947-52); St. Catherine Parish, Detroit (1952-54); and St. Clement Parish, Dearborn (1954).

He was also an assistant pastor at the Detroit parishes of St. Margaret Mary (1954-55), St. Brendan (1955-57), Patronage of St. Joseph (1957-58), St. Raymond (1958-63) and Mother of Our Savior (1963-65).

Fr. Lombardi was appointed pastor of St. Bernadette Parish, Dearborn, in 1965, and served there until being named administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Detroit, in 1967. In 1969 he returned to St. Brendan Parish as pastor, and continued to serve there until he was granted senior priest status in 1992.

Fr. Arthur F. Neffy

Fr. Neffy, 86, was born in Detroit, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio.

He was ordained May 31, 1947, and celebrated his first Mass at Presentation Church in Detroit.

Fr. Neffy served as an assistant pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor (1947-53); Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish, Detroit (1953-58) St. Paul on the Lake Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms (1958-63); and St. Brendan Parish, Detroit (1963-66).

He became pastor of St. Beatrice Parish, Southfield (1966-77), and served as vicar of the Farmington-Southfield Vicariate in 1973 and 1976-79. Fr. Neffy was pastor of St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, Warren (1977-86), and was pastor of St. Conrad Parish, Melvindale from 1986 until he was granted senior priest status in 1992.

Fr. James P. O'Hagan

Fr. O'Hagan, 85, was born in Detroit, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained May 31, 1947 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Joseph Church in Lake Orion.

Fr. O'Hagan's first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Detroit (1947-52). He was appointed to the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary in 1952.

He served as an assistant pastor at St. Gertrude Parish, St. Clair Shores (1954-59); St. Mary Parish, Royal Oak (1959-63); and St. Joseph Parish, Trenton (1963-64).

Fr. O'Hagan was appointed pastor of St. Gerald Parish, Farmington (1964-76), and served as vicar of the Farmington-Southfield Vicariate 1969-70 and again 1973-76.

He served as co-pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Detroit (1976-79) and as pastor of St. Atanasius Parish, Roseville (1979-87). He was pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Waterford Township from 1987 until he was granted senior priest status in 1999.

Fr. O'Hagan continues to be active with the Metropolitan Christian Council of Detroit-Windsor.

60 years

Fr. Paul C. Berg

Born in Detroit, Fr. Berg, 86, attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning bachelor's and master's degrees from CUA.

He was ordained May 22, 1948, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Mary of Redford Church in Detroit.

Fr. Berg served as an assistant pastor in Detroit at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1948-53); St. Patrick Parish, Detroit (1953-54); and St. Aloysius Parish (1954).

He was sent to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome in 1954, from which he earned a doctorate; and was named to the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary in 1955. In addition, Fr. Berg served the Cardinal Leger Community Parish in Detroit as a weekend assistant (1970-85).

He was administrator of St. Paul (Albanian) Parish in Warren (1985-88), in addition to his teaching responsibilities, and returned to full-time teaching at the seminary from 1988 until being granted senior priest status in 1996.

Over the years, he has also served as a weekend assistant at Mother of Our Savior Parish, Detroit; Our Lady of Loretto Parish, Redford Township; St. Benedict Parish, Highland Park; St. Hugo of the Hills Parish, Bloomfield Hills; St. Kenneth Parish, Plymouth; and St. Rita Parish, Detroit.

Fr. Fabian B. Slominski

Born in Duluth, Minn., Fr. Slominski, 84, attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake. He was ordained May 22, 1948, in Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Name Church in Detroit.

Fr. Slominski served as an assistant pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wyandotte (1948-53); at the Detroit parishes of SS. Peter & Paul (West Side) (1953-58) and St. Bartholomew (1958-62); and at St. Florian Parish, Hamtramck (1962-67).

Fr. Slominski was pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Detroit (1967-70); St. Anne Parish, Warren (1970-83), and St. Cletus Parish, Warren, from 1984 until he was granted senior priest status in 1990. He served as a chaplain at St. John-Macomb Health Center in Warren until 2007.

Fr. Joseph F. Downey, SJ

Born in Lima, Ohio, Fr. Downey, 91, attended St. John grade school and high school in Lima, then went on to Xavier University in Cincinnati.

He entered the Milford (Ohio) Novitiate of the Society of Jesus (1937-39), and continued his education at West Baden College in West Baden Springs, Ind., earning licentiates in philosophy and theology. He later earned master's degrees in English and Education from Loyola University in Chicago.

He was ordained June 16, 1948, at West Baden College, and served his tertianship at St. Stanislaus in Parma, Ohio (1949-50).

Fr. Downey's teaching career began in the years between earning his philosophy and theology degrees, when he taught at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati (1942-45). He later taught at Loyola University, Chicago (1950-51), then was a professor and assistant dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Detroit (1951-53). He served as both a professor and registrar at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. (1953-58).

He was socius (chief of staff to the provincial) of the Jesuit's Detroit Province (1962-69); then managing editor of the society's America magazine (1969-73).

After a sabbatical spent at the Jesuit School of Theology at Chicago (1973-74), he became superior/director of Loyola of the Lakes Retreat House in Clinton, Ohio.

Following a sabbatical at Colombiere College in Clarkston (1985-86), Fr. Downey began working with Loyola University Press in Evanston, Ill., where he was associate editor (1986-89), editorial director, trade books (1989-94) and editorial consultant (1994-2003).

He has been in residence at Colombiere Center since 2003.

50 years

Fr. R. Gerard Albright, SJ

Born in Detroit, Fr. Albright, 82, attended Sacred Heart and Salisbury grade schools in Dearborn; Dearborn and University of Detroit Jesuit high schools; West Baden College in West Baden Springs, Ind; Loyola University, Chicago; and Spring Hill College, Spring Hill, Ala. He later did graduate studies at Loyola, earning master's and doctoral degrees in biology, then went on to earn a licentiate in theology fro West Baden College.

Fr. Albright entered the Milford (Ohio) Novitiate of the Society of Jesus Feb. 10, 1944, and made his first profession of vows Feb. 11, 1946. He was ordained to the priesthood June 18, 1958, at West Baden Springs, and served his tertianship at St. Stanislaus, Parma, Ohio (1959-60). He made his profession of final vows June 15, 1961 at Detroit.

At the University of Detroit (later University of Detroit Mercy), Fr. Albright served as professor of biology (1960-79 and again 1982-2008).

During those times he chaired the Biology Department (1962-66, 1969-70, 1983-84 and 1989-2002).

He was the university's dean of Liberal Arts (1979-82).

Earlier this year, Fr. Albright was named 2008 Honary Alumnus of the Year by the UDM School of Dentistry, based in part on his dedication to the integrated development of UDM students over the past 48 years and on his role as mentor to other UDM faculty.

Bishop Moses Anderson, SSE

Born in Selma, Ala., Bishop Anderson, 79, attended Xavier University, New Orleans, La., St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vt., and St. Edmund Seminary in Burlington, Vt.

He was ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1958 in Burlington.

Bishop Anderson served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Charlotte, N.C., in 1958, and lectured in theology at St. Michael's College (1959-61).

He served as pastor of St. Catherine Parish, Elizabeth City, N.C. (1961-64). He returned to St. Michael's College as associate professor of theology in 1964, and was named vice president for student affairs in 1968.

Bishop Anderson became director of religious affairs and associate professor of theology at Xavier University and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in 1971.

He served as pastor of All Saints Parish, Anniston, Ala., and auxiliary chaplain at nearby Fort McClellan from 1981 until he was named an auxiliary bishop for Detroit by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 3, 1982.

He was ordained to the episcopacy Jan. 27, 1983 by Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka.

Besides serving as a regional bishop for the archdiocese, Bishop Anderson was pastor of Precious Blood Parish, Detroit (1992-2001).

He retired as an active auxiliary bishop in 2003.

Fr. Thomas R. Byrne

Born in Detroit, Fr. Byrne, 75, attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 7, 1958, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Alphonsus, Dearborn.

Fr. Byrne served as assistant pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Highland Park (1958); St. John Parish, Ypsilanti (1958-60); St. Louis Parish, Mount Clemens (1960-61); St. Brigid Parish, Detroit (1961-65); St. Angela Parish, Roseville (1965-69); and was associate pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Rochester (1969-70).

He was assigned to the Catholic Youth Organization Adult Advisory Training Program (1971-73).

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Victory, Northville (1976-78); St. Norbert Parish, Inkster (1978-79); and St. Richard, Westland, for several months during 1979.

Fr. Byrne was named pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Allen Park (1983-85); and became pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, Detroit (1985-88). He was associate pastor at St. Alphonsus, Dearborn (1988-90); and then was assigned to serve the parishes and institutions in the Monroe area (1991-96). In 1996, he was named administrator of St. Anne Parish, Monroe, where he continued to serve until being granted senior priest status in 1997.

Fr. John Gagala

Born in Poland, Fr. Gagala, 73, received a master's degree in canon law from the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.

He was ordained May 22, 1958 as a priest of the Krakow, Poland province of the Carmelite order.

He served as associate pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Detroit (1979-81), and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 27, 1981. He was an associate pastor at St. Ladislaus Parish, Hamtramck (1981-82).

Fr. Gagala began working with the archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal in 1981 (full-time from 1982), first as an auditor, than as defender of the bond, and finally as a judge.

In addition to his tribunal duties, he served as administrator of St. Beatrice Parish, Southfield from 1987 until its closing at the end of June 2007. He was granted senior priest status as of July 1, 2007.

Fr. Thomas Heier, CMM

Born Martin Heier in Aberdeen S.D., Fr. Heier, 77, attended St. Mary Grade School in Aberdeen. He then attended St. Bernard Minor Seminary in Dearborn Heights, and went on to St. Meinrad Major Seminary in southern Indiana. He later earned a bachelor's degree English from the University of Detroit in 1963, and a master's in 1966.

He professed his first vows as a Marianhill Missionary in 1953, and was given the religious name Thomas. He was ordained to the priesthood May 11, 1958 at St. Mary Church in Aberdeen.

Fr. Heier taught English at St. Bernard Minor Seminary (1958-68). He served as associate pastor of St. Monica Parish, Detroit, and St. Genevieve Parish, Livonia (1968-69). He taught at Divine Word Seminary, Perrysburg, Ohio (1969-70 and again in 1977-79).

Fr. Heirer was appointed provincial superior of the Marianhill Missionaries' American-Canadian Province (1970-77). He served as novice master in Center Valley, Pa. (1979-90). He returned to Dearborn Heights and has been editor of Marianhill's Leaves magazine since 1991.

Fr. Leo F. Sabourin

Born in Detroit, Fr. Sabourin, 75, attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 7, 1958, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Alphonsus Church in Dearborn.

Fr. Sabourin served as an assistant pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor (1958-62); St. Linus Parish, Dearborn Heights (1962-70); and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit (1970-73). He was co-pastor of IHM Parish (1970-72), and its pastor (1973-81).

He was made pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Detroit (1981-97), and has been pastor of St. Constance Parish, Taylor, since 1997.

Fr. Joseph G. Maloney, OFM Cap.

Born in Detroit, Fr. Maloney, 77, attended St. Agnes Grade School and Catholic Central High School, both in Detroit; and Michigan State University in East Lansing.

He was invested in the Capuchin Order, Province of St. Joseph, in 1951, and made his first profession in 1952.

He studied for the priesthood at St. Felix Seminary in Huntington, Ind., and at St. Anthony House of Studies in Marathon, Wis.

Fr. Maloney was ordained Sept. 18, 1958.

He spent his pastoral year as a student priest at St. Francis Parish, Milwaukee, Wis, (1959-60); then taught at St. Francis Brothers School, Mount Calvary, Wis. (1960-66 and 1970-71).

Fr. Maloney served as director of brothers and teacher at St. Mary School, Crown Point, Ind. (1966-70); then as chaplain to hospitals and convalescent homes in the Warren-Center Line Vicariate (1971-78). He was spiritual assistant to Secular Franciscans at St. Bonaventure Monastery, Detroit (1978-81).

He was infirmarian at St. Lawrence Friary, Mount Calvary, Wis. (1981-82); then served as chaplain at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit (1984-90). Fr. Maloney was named associate pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Hazel Park (1990-91); and served in evangelization ministry in Racine, Wis. (1991-93).

He has been on the ministry staff at St. Bonaventure Monastery, Detroit, since 1993.

Fr. Donald L. Walker

Born in Detroit, Fr. Walker, 76, attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 7, 1958, and celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Farmington.

Fr. Walker served as assistant pastor at St. Mary of Redford Parish, Detroit (1958-60). He enrolled in graduate studies in education at the University of Michigan in 1960. The following year he joined the faculty of Sacred Heart Seminary. In 1970, Fr. Walker became co-pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish, Detroit, where he later became pastor (1975-89). Fr. Walker took on the additional responsibility of administrator of St. Martin Parish, Detroit (1981-89). After a medical leave of absence, he became an associate pastor of St. Blasι Parish, Sterling Heights (1990-94); then served as associate pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Redford Township (1994-2000).

Fr. Walker was pastor of St. Martha Parish, Dearborn, from 2000 until being granted senior priest status in 2006. 40 years

Fr. Timothy F. Babcock

Fr. Babcock, 65, was born in Detroit and attended Blessed Sacrament Cathedral's grade school in Detroit, Holy Rosary Academy in Bay City, University of Detroit High School, Sacred Heart Seminary College in Detroit and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained to the priesthood June 1, 1968, by Bishop Allen J. Babcock at Holy Trinity Church in Comstock Park.

Fr. Babcock also completed graduate studies at the University of Detroit and St. John's Provincial Seminary.

He served as co-pastor at St. Sylvester Parish in Warren (1968-1972); associate pastor at St. Eugene Parish in Detroit (1972-1974); pastor at St. Eugene (1974-1979); coadjutor pastor at St. Genevieve Parish in Livonia in 1979; temporary associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington (1979-1980); and pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Royal Oak (1980-1981).

In 1981, he became an auditor in the Archdiocesan Tribunal and in 1982 became a pro-synodal judge at the tribunal.

In 1989, he became pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Rochester, where he served until 1998. He was pastor of St. Mary Parish in Monroe in 2002 and served as administrator of Corpus Christi Parish in Detroit in 2007.

During his assignments, Fr. Babcock served as vicar of the Southeast Oakland Vicariate (1986-1989), vicar of the Pontiac Vicariate (1991-1993) and (1996-2002). He also had served as a member of the presbyteral council, the college of consultors, and as a consultor for the archdiocesan advisory board of Catholic education.

Fr. Arthur R. Baranowski

Fr. Baranowski, 66, was born in Detroit and attended St. Louis School in Mount Clemens, Sacred Heart Seminary College in Detroit and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1968, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

Fr. Baranowski served as associate pastor and co-pastor at St. Basil the Great Parish in East Detroit (1968-1973), and co-pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Roseville (1973-1975).

In 1975, he was founding pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Troy, where he served until 1986. He then became pastor of St. Hugh Parish in Southgate (1986-1988).

In 1988, he was released from his pastoral duties to work with RENEW, a national ministry focused on fostering smaller faith communities within larger parishes.

In 1994, Fr. Baranowski became associate pastor at St. Isidore Parish in Macomb. In 1996, he was named pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Marysville, where he continues to serve.

Fr. Richard J. Cassidy

Fr. Cassidy, 66, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart High School in Dearborn, Sacred Heart Seminary College in Detroit, and the North American College in Rome.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1967 in Rome.

Fr. Cassidy served as associate pastor at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills (1968-1973). He then attended Graduate Theological Union in Berkely, Calif., where he received his doctorate. In 1976, he became director of the Office of Justice and Peace, where he served until 1984. During his assignment with the office, he also taught at St. John's Seminary in Plymouth Township, and took on a role as a theological consultant for the Christian Service Department in1980, and as an archdiocesan grievance clerk (1978-1981).

In 1985, Fr. Cassidy was given a special assignment of preparing theological materials pertaining to justice and peace while continuing to teach at St. John's Seminary.

The next several years, Fr. Cassidy also taught at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif.; Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; and Fordham University in New York as an associate professor.

Amid his teaching assignments, he served as temporary pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Detroit for two months in 1997 and as associate pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Redford Township for three months in 1988 and 1989.

In 2004, Fr. Cassidy became a full-time faculty member at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, where he continues to serve.

Fr. Gerard P. Frawley, SAC

Fr. Frawley, 67, was born in County Limerick, Ireland. He entered the Pallottine order in 1961 and studied for the priesthood at the Pallottine House of Study in Thurles, Ireland.

He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1968.

Fr. Frawley began his priestly ministry as a missionary, serving in parishes in the Diocese of Singida in Tanzania, East Africa, from 1968 to 1972. In 1972, he was transferred to England, where he ministered in two Pallotine-run parishes, St. Thomas More Parish in Barking Essex and Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Greenford Middlesex, until 1974. He then was assigned to parish ministry in the United States. He served at Sacred Heart Parish in Ely, Nev., from 1974 to 1979, and St. Philip Parish in Idalou, Tex., from 1979 to 1985. He spent from 1985 to 1990 at St. Brendan Parish in Stephenville, in the Diocese of Fort Worth, Tex. He came to the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1990, serving as pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Wyandotte until 2000 and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Capac from 2000 until 2007. In 2007, he was assigned pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Detroit, where he will be until the end of June. He has been appointed pastor of St. Anne Parish in Ortonville effective July 1.

Fr. Frawley currently is the superior of the Irish Pallottines in the United States, the offices of whom are in Wyandotte. He also has been a consultor to the Provincial Delegate for a number of years.

Fr. John Victor Fabian

Fr. Fabian, 67, was born in Detroit and attended Guardian Angel School in Detroit; Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods; Jordan Seminary in Menominee; Sacred Heart Seminary College in Detroit; and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1968, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

Fr. Fabian served as associate pastor at St. Luke Parish in Detroit (1968-1973); at St. Christopher Parish in Detroit (1973-1977); and at Holy Name Parish in Birmingham (1977-1982). He also served as vicar of the Birmingham-Bloomfield-Troy Vicariate from 1979 to 1982.

In 1982 he became pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Newport, where he served until 1994. In 1994, he was released from the archdiocese to establish the religious community Companions of Christ the Lamb in the Diocese of Marquette. He continues to serve in the community.

Fr. Robert Weakley, OFM

Franciscan Fr. Weakley, 67, was born in Peoria, Ill., and attended St. Francis Seminary High School there.

After his novitiate with the Order of St. Francis, he attended the Franciscan Dun Scotus College in Southfield and St. Leonard College in Centerville, Ohio.

He was ordained June 8, 1968, at St. Leonard College.

Fr. Weakley began his ministry by teaching at Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati from 1968 to 1976. He then entered parish ministry, serving as associate pastor at St. Louis Parish in Batesville, Ind., (1976-80). He was pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia, Kan., (1980-86); Sacred Heart Parish in Calumet (1986-92); St. Mary of Lourdes Parish in Metamora, Ill., (1992-2001); and returned to St. Louis Parish in Batesville as its pastor in 2001.

After a sabbatical year of study in 2002, he became pastor of St. Michael Parish in Southfield in 2003. He was pastor there until 2007, when the parish was closed and combined with the communities of St. Beatrice, St. Bede and St. Ives in Southfield to form the Church of the Transfiguration Parish. Fr. Weakley, who was the founding pastor of the new parish, continues to serve as pastor of Church of the Transfiguration.

Fr. John Wheeler, CSB

Basilian Fr. Wheeler, 69, was born in Detroit and attended St. Michael Grade School in Livonia, St. Valentine Grade School in Redford Township, and Detroit Catholic Central High School in Detroit.

From high school, he entered the Basilian Fathers novitiate in Rochester, N.Y. Studying for the priesthood, he attended St. John Fisher College in Rochester; University of Detroit; School of Theology in Toronto; and Grand Seminaire in Paris, France.

He was ordained a priest in December 1968 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

Fr. Wheeler began his teaching ministry in France at College du Sacre-Coeur, a Basilian high school in the city of Annonay, (1969-72). He taught at Detroit Catholic Central High School (1972-76), before returning to College du Sacre-Coeur (1976-77). His second assignment at Detroit Catholic Central lasted from 1977 to 1989. He then taught at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, N.M. (1990-94). In 1994, he began parish work at St. Mary and the Missions Parish in Owen Sound, Ontario, which has a group of seven missions, and remained there until 1999. In 1999, he was assigned for a third time to Detroit Catholic Central, where he continues to serve.

During his teaching ministry, Fr. Wheeler also served as a weekend assistant at St. Genevieve Parish in Livonia (1973-79), St. Valentine Parish in Redford Township (1980-89), and St. Priscilla Parish in Livonia from 1999 to the present.

25 years

Fr. Ralph R. Besterwitch, SAC

Fr. Besterwitch, 52, was born in Vijayawada, India, and attended St. Charles Seminary, in the St. Charles Diocese in Nagpur, India. He was ordained Oct. 25 1983, in his home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, Chennai, India.

In India, Fr. Besterwitch served as associate pastor of a parish there (1984-89) before coming to the United States to study at the University of Loyola, Chicago (1990-91). He then returned to India to serve as assistant to the director of formation at a novitiate (1991-93), teach psychology and serve as spiritual director for seminarians (1993-98), serve in school administration (1998-2002), and then serve as director of seminary formation at minor seminary (2002-05).

He returned to the United States to serve as associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Lake Orion (2005-07).

He has served as pastor of Our Lady of Loretto Parish, Redford Township, since 2007.

Fr. Michael Cremin, SAC

Fr. Cremin, 50, was born in County Cork, Ireland. He entered St. Patrick's College Seminary in Thurles, Ireland, in 1976, and was ordained June 11, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland.

He served as associate pastor Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Greenford, West London, England (1983-90) before studying for a year at the Institute of St. Anselm, Kent, England. He then served as chaplain and school counselor at Cardinal Wiseman High School, at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish (1991-97). Then he served as associate pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Blanchardstown, West Dublin (1997-2003).

Fr. Cremin then served as fundraiser at the Pallotine Mission House, Wyandotte, for East African missions (2004-05). He has served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Wyandotte, since 2005.

Fr. John C. Esper

Fr. Esper, 55, was born in Detroit. He studied geography at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo before studying at Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.

He was ordained Dec. 10, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit. He celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of Victory Parish, Northville. Since ordination, he's also studied at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.

Fr. Esper served as associate pastor at St. Sylvester Parish, Warren (1983-84), St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Allen Park (1984-87) and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Farmington (1987-88). He then served as spiritual director at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit (1988-97) and as pastor of St. Lucy Parish, St. Clair Shores (1997-2005).

He has served as pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Madison Heights, since 2005.

Fr. Zbigniew Grankowski

Fr. Grankowski, 50, was born in Warsaw, Poland. He attended the Academic University of Catholic Theology, Warsaw, and was ordained May 29, 1983, for the Archdiocese of Warsaw. He was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1990.

Fr. Grankowski served as associate pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (1987-89); St. Martin de Porres Parish, Warren (1989-93); and St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1993-94); he then served as temporary administrator of St. Barbara Parish, Dearborn (1994), before becoming pastor there.

He has served as pastor of St. Barbara Parish since 1994, and as pastor at St. Cunegunda Parish, Detroit, since 2000.

Fr. Charles M. Morris

Fr. Morris, 58, was born in Pontiac and attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, before attending St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He was ordained Dec. 10, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit.

He served as associate pastor of St. Agatha Parish, Redford (1983-84), St. Joan of Arc Parish, St. Clair Shores (1984-88) and St. Ephrem Parish, Macomb (1988-89). He then served as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pontiac (1989-93) and as administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Pontiac (1989-93), before serving as pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, Wyandotte (1993-2003).

Fr. Morris has also served as vicar of the former Downriver Vicariate (1997-2000).

He has served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, Wyandotte, since 2004.

Fr. Stanley L. Pachla

Fr. Pachla, 57, was born in Hamtramck and attended the University of Detroit and St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He was ordained Dec. 10, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit.

He served as associate pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Warren (1983-84), associate pastor of St. Mary Parish, Royal Oak (1984-87), administrator of St. Benedict Parish, Highland Park (1987-87), associate pastor of St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights (1987-92), associate pastor of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Sterling Heights (1992), administrator of St. Barnabas Parish, Eastpointe, (1992-93), associate pastor of St. Edmund Parish, Warren (1993-95), administrator of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford Township (1993-94), administrator of St. Kieran Parish, Shelby Township (1995), and administrator of St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, Warren (2007). Fr. Pachla also served as vicar of the former SERF Vicariate (2000).

He has served as pastor of St. Veronica Parish, Eastpointe, since 1996.

Fr. Randall R. Phillips

Fr. Phillips, 51, was born in Detroit. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary and Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. He was ordained Dec. 19, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philomena Parish, Detroit.

He has served as associate pastor of St. Philomena Parish (1983-84), Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Detroit (1984-85). He then left to do further studies at Pontifical Gregorian University. He served as associate pastor at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Sterling Heights (1988-89) and St. Ephrem Parish, Sterling Heights (1989-92). He then served as pastor of Presentation/Our Lady of Victory Parish, Detroit (1992-95) and St. Linus Parish, Dearborn Heights (1995-2003).

Fr. Phillips has also served as vicar of the former Dearborn Vicariate (1998-2003), and on the Presbyteral Council (2005-07). He's also done further studies at Pontifical Gregorian University.

He has served as pastor at St. Blase Parish, Sterling Heights, since 2003.

Fr. Joseph A. Plawecki

Fr. Plawecki, 53, was born in Detroit and attended the University of Michigan, Dearborn and St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He was ordained Dec. 10, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park.

He has served as associate pastor at St. Germaine Parish, St. Clair Shores (1984), St. Genevieve Parish, Livonia (1984-88) and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth (1988-92). He then served as pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Erie (1992-2005).

Fr. Plawecki has served as pastor at St. Augustine Parish, Richmond, since 2005.

Fr. William L. Verbryke, SJ

Fr. Verbryke, 55, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He entered the Society of Jesus' Chicago Province in 1973 at Loyola House, the order's novitiate, in Berkley.

He studied at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif. He was ordained June 11, 1973 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Cincinnati, and celebrated his first Mass June 12, 1973 at the Church of the Annunciation, Cincinnati.

Fr. Verbryke served as vocation director for the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus (1984-89), Rector of Jesuit Community and Director of Campus Ministry at St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati (1989-91), and President of St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati (1991-2001). He has served as director of novices and superior at Loyola House, Berkley, since 2002.

Fr. Robert J. Wojciechowski

Fr. Wojciechowski, 51, was born in Detroit. He attended St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township, and was ordained Dec. 10, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit.

He served as associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish, White Lake Township (1983-84), St. Christopher Parish, Detroit, (1984-87) and St. Anne Parish, Warren (1987-89).

Fr. Wojciechowski has served as pastor of St. Francis D'Assisi Parish, Detroit, since 1989, and as pastor at St. Hedwig Parish, Detroit, since 2004.