Fr. J.J. MechThe appointment will become effective Aug. 1.
Fr. Mech, 47, is the current pastor of St. Anastasia Parish in Troy. Msgr. LeFevre, 58, who has served as rector of the cathedral since 2003, will become pastor of St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish in Auburn Hills.
Fr. Mech will also become pastor of St. Moses the Black Parish and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Detroit, roles in which Msgr. LeFevre also served.
In a phone conversation with The Michigan Catholic, Fr. Mech said he was “very, very honored that the archbishop would have confidence in me in such a big role.”
“It is the mother church of the archdiocese, and because of my love for the arts and for the New Evangelization, the archbishop has asked me to bring that kind of focus to make it truly an archdiocesan center for people to come,” said Fr. Mech, who is also chaplain for the Patron of the Arts for the Vatican Museum and often held large religious art exhibitions, called “Art for God’s Sake,” at St. Anastasia.
Archbishop Vigneron said Fr. Mech would bring "a rich blend of personal talents and pastoral skills" to his new role of service to the archdiocese and to Detroit parishioners.
"I am grateful for his generosity in accepting the appointment as cathedral rector, and I am confident he will be a good shepherd to his new parishioners, as well as to all the faithful who come to our cathedral for worship, instruction and ministry," Archbishop Vigneron said.
The archbishop praised Msgr. LeFevre's "exemplary priestly service" as rector, adding "it has been a blessing for me to work closely with him" over the past 12 years.
Fr. Mech also lauded the legacy left at the cathedral by his predecessor, whom he called “very well-respected among the presbyterate.”
“Msgr. LeFevre has laid some amazing groundwork at the cathedral and the other parishes,” Fr. Mech said, citing the numerous weddings, liturgies, concerts and archdiocesan events celebrated there regularly. “To be able to serve there, it’s both daunting and exciting and truly an honor.”
Built in 1915 as a parish church, the Gothic Revival-styled Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament was designated by solemn decree of Pope Pius XI as the episcopal seat of the newly elevated Archdiocese of Detroit in 1938. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The role of the cathedral’s rector is similar to that of a parish pastor, with the rector holding responsibility for the administration and pastoral care of the cathedral and its parish. The archbishop himself is considered the true pastor of the cathedral.
In addition to his responsibilities at the cathedral, Fr. Mech said he excited to get to know the communities of St. Moses the Black, which he noted for the “richness” of its history and music, and Our Lady of the Rosary. Fr. Mech also acknowledged the “ton of mixed emotions” that come with his departure from St. Anastasia, where he has served since 2007.
“We have some amazing associate (pastors) here, who are going to be able to hold down the fort until the new pastor arrives,” he said.
Fr. Mech will leave for two months in June to study for a degree in liturgy at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., before starting his new assignment in August.
Before St. Anastasia, Fr. Mech had served as pastor of Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Redford from 2000-07, and as associate pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth and Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods.
While Fr. Mech isn’t sure yet what his rectorship at the cathedral might hold, he is sure God will use his past experiences in his new role. A self-described “big believer in prayer,” Fr. Mech said he had been praying a novena to the Holy Spirit for guidance since the request from the archbishop came March 20.
“I’m going to have to learn once I get there what the Holy Spirit is calling me to do,” he said. “Whatever God wants, I want to do."
