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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Farewell 'with a thankful heart'

Published January 30, 2009

My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:

During the 18 1/2 years I have served as your chief shepherd, I have had the custom of writing a monthly column and, many times, special columns reflecting the cycle of the liturgical year and responding to special needs and circumstances of our Church or metro area. Now, in the providence of God, in this, my final column as your archbishop, I would like to reflect with you on many of the graces and blessings we have shared during these years. I do so in all humility, for I realize full well that no one of us can ever accomplish anything without the inspiration and sustaining grace of God, and without the support, encouragement and challenge of our brothers and sisters.

With a thankful heart

Sophie Maida receives communion from her son, Archbishop Adam Maida, at his installation Mass as the new archbishop of Detroit on June 12, 1990.

For 18 1/2 years, I have been for you a brother shepherd; I have also been a fellow Christian seeking to know, to love, and to serve the Lord in and through my relationships with all of you. I begin this column, therefore, with immense gratitude to God and to each of you for whatever role you played in making it possible for me to have been God's instrument in preaching and teaching, celebrating the sacraments, and keeping our flock united in harmony and peace.

In a particular way, I want to take the occasion to publicly thank and acknowledge the auxiliary bishops who served with me during my tenure, many of whom have moved on to other dioceses and some of whom have gone home to God. I also want to thank the many priests, religious, deacons and lay faithful who have served in roles of special leadership — in the Central Services offices for the archdiocese, as vicars and consultors, and members of the Presbyteral Council and various boards of the archdiocese, in the vicariate pastoral planning process, and in the many educational, healthcare, and social services of this great archdiocese.

From the outset, I would also like to emphasize that any accomplishments we have achieved during these years have been possible only because of the generous contribution of the time, talent and treasure of countless lay faithful of this great archdiocese. I have always felt sustained and inspired by the witness of your lives – your fidelity in Christian marriage, your acceptance of suffering of body or spirit, your cooperative spirit of openness to change, and your commitment to personal and communal prayer.

Making all things new

Twenty-five years ago, when the servant of God, Pope John Paul II, named me bishop of Green Bay, Wis., I chose as my episcopal motto, "Facere Omnia Nova," that is, "to make all things new." I chose that motto because of my baptismal name, Adam. At the center of my coat of arms is a sunburst representing Christ and the new creation that He came to inaugurate on Earth. The words, "to make all things new," echo the voice of the one seated on the throne at the conclusion of the Book of Revelation as He promised to establish a new heaven and a new Earth, something already manifest in the victory of Jesus Christ. Throughout these 25 years of episcopal ministry, I have tried to live up to my motto by emphasizing first and foremost the spiritual renewal that we need individually and collectively.

From my first day among you here in the archdiocese, my priority has always been to build up the Church spiritually, to affirm and strengthen the gifts of the spirit already present in the long history of our local Church and clearly manifest in the many ministries of individuals and groups within our local Church. As you may recall, I spent my first year making pastoral visits throughout the four regions of the archdiocese, celebrating Mass with every high school and many grade school communities, as well as visiting students in religious education programs and conferring with people engaged in healthcare and social service ministries.

I enjoyed the privilege of serving as chairman of the board of trustees of both of our local seminaries – Sacred Heart Major Seminary and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary at Orchard Lake. Having been a consultor in the formation of Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, I was delighted to have the opportunity to work toward the implementation of these norms with the administrators and boards of Madonna University, the University of Detroit Mercy and Marygrove College.

In all these things, I always rejoiced in the way the Holy Spirit was renewing our Church from within; I felt privileged to be the Lord's instrument in helping to bring things together and move them forward, always building on our rich heritage and adapting to the new challenges of the last years of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century.

It would be logical to look back on my tenure and highlight major construction projects such as the establishment of the Retreat Center at St. John's – with its programming for youth and family, retreats and workshops, and the Conference Center. We can all take great pride and satisfaction in what has been accomplished there during the past decade. We can also look with joy at our thoroughly renovated Cathedral, appreciating how its Norman Gothic beauty has been brought into conformity with current liturgical uses in a brightly illuminated setting. And, of course, there were other building renewal projects that perhaps did not get the same attention but were nonetheless equally significant in their own ways. I think, in particular, of the building we were able to purchase on Washington Boulevard across from the Chancery for the purpose of providing a setting for St. Aloysius Parish and its outreach among the poor and the homeless in the immediate downtown area. But even more than these external projects, as I take the "long view" of what has mattered most, again, spiritual renewal and the pastoral concerns were truly first and foremost on my agenda; they were the driving energy, vision and goal of our common mission.

Spiritual renewal

Larry A. Peplin | The Michigan Catholic Cardinal Adam Maida elevates the host at an outdoor Mass during the September 2000 Eucharistic Congress at St. John Center in Plymouth Township.

Of all the accomplishments that defined my 18 1/2 years, perhaps the most enduring will be those that are not easily quantifiable – especially the spiritual renewal process of Jubilee 2000, our archdiocesan process of preparation for the dawning of the third millennium of Christianity. I am very proud of the fact that our archdiocese took seriously the challenge of Pope John Paull II to use the years from 1996 through the Jubilee Year 2000 as a time for spiritual renewal – reflecting on conversion and renewal, deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ, coming to understand the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and appreciating the role of God, the Almighty Father and Creator; and finally, during the Jubilee year, reflection on the Holy Eucharist itself. Our Jubilee 2000 process, with its parish discussion materials and videos, became a template for many other dioceses across the nation. The thousands of people who participated at the parish level were able to understand their faith in a new way and were motivated to consider various ways to put their faith into concrete action.

The rededication of the Retreat Center at St. John's and our archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress in the fall of 2000 was a special high point of the Jubilee 2000 spiritual renewal process. The same energy flowed over into the following year as we joined the interfaith and business community of metro Detroit in celebrating the 300th anniversary of the foundation of our city and the tri-centenary of our oldest parish, Ste. Anne de Detroit. Soon thereafter, we were also able to rededicate our cathedral, a wonderful opportunity for strengthening the bonds that unite us as one Church, helping other people come to a new appreciation of the role of the cathedral church and the ministry of the diocesan bishop.

In many ways, the cathedral renovation is a very good metaphor for all that we accomplished together during these two decades – standing on the shoulders of the giants of the past, we responded to ever-evolving needs and ever-new challenges of our times. The dynamic nature of the Church was emphasized in the Jubilee 2000 process and made evident in the beautiful pictorial history of our local Church, published on the occasion of the 300th birthday of Detroit, "Make Straight the Path." This work charts the story of the six major corridors of the archdiocese and shows how our parishes have evolved along those various pathways.

Vicariate pastoral planning

Cardinal Adam Maida joins in for a group photo when visiting schools, as he does here with students at Everest Academy.

During the first half of the 20th century, the city of Detroit and the metro area experienced extraordinary growth and expansion; but then, all these things changed rapidly in the post-war era and during the social upheavals of the 1960s. Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka and his advisors had made some wise, but undoubtedly painful, decisions about the realignment of parishes. By the time of my arrival in 1990, there was still need for continued studies, review, and dialogue about the gifts and needs of people in the urban, suburban, and rural areas of the archdiocese. In view of changing demographics, limited personnel and financial constraints, it was becoming clear to all that if parishes and/or schools were to survive, they needed to work together — not competing, but sharing resources.

Enter the stage: vicariate pastoral planning. Again here, the archdiocese paved new ground with Together in Faith and, thanks to the wisdom and dedication of hard-working staff from Central Services and the cooperative spirit of clergy and pastoral staffs in parishes and vicariates, we put in place a methodology for ongoing evaluation and decision-making that began on the local level and, ultimately, returned to the local level. Although my heart is saddened by the number of parishes and schools that closed or merged during my 18 years, at the same time, these changes happened with relative calm and grace, thanks in large part to the open-minded spirit of parishioners, parish and school administrators, and countless individuals who participated in the dialogue. The goal always was the spiritual well-being and strength of our parishes and the assurance of quality Catholic education and faith formation for generations to come.

Even as parishes and schools closed or merged, during my time, we were also able to open new parishes and schools: with pride and joy, I look to the way St. Therese of Lisieux Parish quickly grew and developed; the ongoing evolution of St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Macomb Township; the creation of Divine Mercy Parish in Davisburg; the establishment of All Saints School in Canton; and the ongoing efforts for the formation of Austin Academy in Macomb Township. Thanks to the leadership of communities of religious men and women, Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac is flourishing, and we have Our Lady of Guadalupe Middle School for Hispanic girls, Loyola High School for inner-city males, and Detroit Cristo Rey High School. We also look forward as well to the opening of St. Catherine of Siena Academy, a school for girls. As the Book of Ecclesiastes puts it, "To everything there is a season. ..." There are times of growth and development and times of loss and diminishment, but through it all, the Holy Spirit sustains our Church and, because of our mutual cooperation, great things continue to happen and our Church is constantly becoming stronger for the future.

Partnerships in the business and interfaith communities

Throughout my tenure, I have been sensitive to the fact that we live in the midst of a complex society and need to partner with members of other faith communities, as well as the business community and the government in trying to respond to the countless needs of all people here in southeast Michigan. Toward that end, I am pleased that my speech to the Economic Club in October of 1990 prompted the creation of Cornerstone Schools, which have educated a generation of young people throughout the city of Detroit in a very creative and dynamic fashion involving parents and partners in such a way that the faith of all has been strengthened.

I am grateful for the ecumenical and interfaith rapport I have enjoyed with the other religious leaders of our area. We have met on a regular basis to discuss issues of social concern and, in particular, we were able to create a strong common voice as we dealt with assisted suicide and affirmed the dignity of marriage as the partnership of a man and a woman. Even in recent days, as our metro area (and indeed our nation and our world) are experiencing severe economic challenges, our interfaith religious leaders' forum has been looking for ways to offer a vision of hope and encouragement, and a network of service opportunities and resources. Archbishop-designate Allen Vigneron will be able to build on this excellent foundation as he joins other religious leaders in continuing to address the many social challenges of our day.

Here in Michigan, we are greatly blessed by the presence of the Michigan Catholic Conference and its many programs for parishes and employees of our parishes. In particular, I am grateful for the way the Michigan Catholic Conference, under the leadership of Sr. Monica Kostielney, RSM, has been an avenue and vehicle for responding to the many social concerns of our day. Working with my brother bishops around the state, we have been able to provide moral guidance to help people form their consciences, particularly with regard to medical moral issues such as assisted suicide and embryonic stem-cell research.

During my tenure, I have penned several pastoral letters. I, along with the rest of the bishops of Michigan, issued "Living and Dying According to the Voice of Faith," which addressed the issue of assisted suicide. That letter was released Sept. 14, 1997, in advance of the 1998 ballot initiative. I also wrote a pastoral letter, "Blessed Are They Who Mourn," on Catholic funeral rites and how to implement them in our parishes. Most recently, I wrote a special message, "Christ Our Hope," addressing the economic issues facing our metro area at this time and their implications for our families and our future.

A critical and vital part of the ministry of a diocesan bishop includes contact with the wider Church – nationally and internationally. As a bishop, I am a part of the world-wide episcopal college and, as such, I have had many responsibilities beyond the archdiocese and have been privileged to be involved in the life of the Church Universal – particularly in Rome, but also in Poland and Eastern Europe. I had the joy of regular personal contact with Pope John Paul II and knew his mind and heart regarding the many religious, social, cultural and moral issues of our day.

Aware of his own deep commitment to the necessary connection, and interrelationship connection, of faith and culture, I was honored to have received his blessing and encouragement to establish the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. What a joy it was to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to the Center this past April as he met with 200 interreligious leaders and representatives of the Jewish community! That day, the center was clearly fulfilling one of the goals of its mission – promoting interreligious dialogue after the model and witness of the servant of God, Pope John Paul II.

Stewardship

Cardinal Adam Maida speaks at a press conference for Pathways Plus, a children's scholarship fund.

When I arrived in Detroit, I discovered how enormously generous the Catholic population has always been – especially to the annual Mission Sunday collection; we usually are at the top of the list nationally. Even though the annual CSA (Catholic Services Appeal) was granting almost $2 million dollars per year for schools in economically challenged areas, I also recognized the need to expand our efforts to help even more Catholic families struggling to send their children to Catholic schools. After much consultation and deliberation, we decided to conduct an archdiocesan-wide endowment campaign entitled, Stewards for Tomorrow, aimed primarily at raising a corpus to be used for scholarship aid for students of all ages. The campaign also raised money that could be used for adult scholarships for those pursuing faith formation. This $100 million campaign remains a legacy for our local Church.

Stewardship education has been a hallmark of the last two decades, but always within the context of a spirituality of gifts: as we have received, so we must give. People now recognize that every one of us has a need to give, a responsibility to give of time and talent, as well as treasure. I have always been in awe of the great generosity of the people of this archdiocese, especially in their loving support of the needs of retired clergy and religious women and men.

The Church of tomorrow

As a shepherd, my greatest joy and satisfaction has always come from watching the growth and maturity of the next generation and being involved in welcoming new members into our Catholic family of faith. I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege and opportunity of participating in our annual CYO Rainbow Conference at the Renaissance Center and our involvement in World Youth Days; with special affection, I remember my time with many of our youth in Denver, Rome, Paris and Cologne.

I trust that the Retreat Center at St. John's will continue to provide excellent programming that will complement the work being done by CYO and through our parishes. It is always a joy as well to be the celebrant of the Rite of Election each year, welcoming thousands of people who are seeking baptism and/or reception into full communion with the Catholic Church. The RCIA process in our parishes is truly one of the great sources of ongoing spiritual renewal for the life of our Church; our liturgies and celebrations are well done, not only at the cathedral, but also in all of our parishes, and it is the quality and enthusiastic participation of our people that inspire others to want to join us in knowing, loving and serving the Lord.

There are countless organizations of social service outreach that have been significant in the history of our local Church and I want to thank in particular the directors of our Catholic social service agencies and those involved in the work of Focus: HOPE. I have vivid memories of the tragic fire at the St. Vincent de Paul warehouse on Gratiot Avenue and the rapid rebuilding of the structure, and the way we continue to look for new ways of delivery of services, sensitive to the unique needs of our people.

Celebrating our diversity

We can also take great pride in our track record of pastoral concern for the sharing of gifts and needs among African-Americans and our ever-growing number of Hispanic Catholics. We are blessed with people of many different ethnic backgrounds and, during my time, I have always tried to affirm and support the respective communities as they have established parishes and built new churches; I think in particular of the Albanians, Croatians, Lithuanians, Koreans, Vietnamese, and the Kerala Indian communities.

As I look back on the many ways that our local Church has evolved and grown during the past 18 1/2years, I am truly in awe of what God has done with us, through us, and among us. I know that Archbishop Vigneron will build on these initiatives and foundations, and one of the special gifts he will bring will be his skills as a teacher and former seminary rector. Both he and Archbishop John Nienstedt helped to launch Sacred Heart Major Seminary as a premier center for the formation of leaders for the Church of tomorrow – not only priests, but also deacons and lay pastoral ministers, youth ministers and countless other roles of service.

I am proud of all that Sacred Heart Major Seminary has been able to accomplish during my tenure. We have worked to establish a groundbreaking program in the New Evangelization with the conferral of licentiate degrees affiliated with the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is recognized world-wide as a premier center of theological and pastoral formation.

We are blessed with enormous resources and opportunities for continued faith formation at the seminary, but also through the work of the Catholic Television Network of Detroit and our archdiocesan newspaper, The Michigan Catholic, and our several settings for retreats and faith formation and faith renewal run by various religious communities.

Again, my deepest thanks

How can I possibly summarize 18 1/2 years?! What can I say except to give thanks and praise to God for the countless ways He has worked within us and among us to make all things new. To Him be the glory now and in endless ages.

Finally, as I sign off, again I want to thank all of you for your support of the Church and your participation in many annual and special fundraising efforts, for the gift of your prayers and sacrifices, and the witness of your lives. You have made me a better person and minister of God, and I hope that I have been a model in witness for you as well. The Archdiocese of Detroit has become, and will continue to be, my home. I look forward to continuing to live among you and serve you whenever and however possible. I want to thank all of you for your support of the Church. Let me express my gratitude for all that has been and my trust in the providence of God for all that will yet happen to our local Church.

We come and go but Jesus Christ remains the same, "yesterday, today and forever." Amen. Alleluia.

Your brother in the Lord,

†Adam Cardinal Maida