Dear Friends,
We continue to move forward in our family of parishes known as Resurget Cineribus, Detroit. Behind the scenes, our parish staffs with the priests have been collaborating in different areas of ministry and brainstorming ways in which we might be able to work together in the future. While collaboration is key as members of the same family, we are also mindful that our parishes are unique and individual. This is evident by the fact that each parish is individually incorporated and retains its own finance council.
While the parish staff helps to oversee many of the day-to-day operations of a parish, a parish can only survive and thrive with the assistance, input, and participation of its parishioners. This remains the case in our new family reality but may look and sound a little different in practice. We have been accustomed to using the term “parish pastoral council” to describe the body that works with the priests on behalf of the parish, but are now moving to describe these individuals as parish advisors. Because this is new, the advisors (2-3) from each parish have been appointed by the priests. As time goes on, a more formal nomination and election process, term limits, and other details may be decided upon. Without exception, at least one member of the current advisory board from each parish was a sitting member of the former pastoral council. The priests have appointed people who are highly involved in and have a great love for their parish. Additionally, it was important to us that they be known and respected by their fellow parishioners and unafraid to share their opinion. These advisors will serve on the parish level advising the on-site priest in matters specific to the local community and on the family level as representatives of the parish as we develop a strategic plan and navigate other initiatives of the family.
The parish advisors are not only meant to share their own opinion and come to consensus, but also to be the voice of the other parishioners as well. Please feel free to contact them if you have any concerns, suggestions, or input for the good of the parish. Their contact information will be shared in your parish bulletin in the weeks ahead.
The advisors from each parish are:
- Old St. Mary: Michelle St. Pierre, Thomas Carson, and Michelle Pierron
- St. Aloysius: Ann Murphy and Elena Centeio
- Cathedral: Marcella Verdun and Mark Justice
Let us continue to pray for one another and our parishes. May we all be strong in faith and open to the movement and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!
Fr. Mario Amore