Detroit — Each year, The Michigan Catholic especially honors those priests celebrating the 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of their ordination, as well as all those celebrating other milestone years of service to God’s people. This year’s list also includes Archbishop Allen Vigneron, celebrating his 40th jubilee, and one priest celebrating the 70th anniversary of his ordination, a remarkably special achievement. Below are brief biographies of these jubilarian priests.
25 years
Fr. Jerome Slowinski
Fr. Slowinski, 61, was born in Detroit and attended Wayne State University and Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township, and earned a licentiate in canon law at the University of Ottawa/St. Paul University in Ontario, Canada.
Fr. Slowinski was ordained June 9, 1990, and celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in Detroit.
Fr. Slowinski was associate pastor at Holy Family Parish, Novi (1990-93), St. Patrick Parish, White Lake (1993-94), and St. Anne Parish, Warren (1996-2005). He became pastor of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Sterling Heights in 2005, where he continues to serve today. He was temporary administrator of St. Ephrem Parish in Sterling Heights from 2014-15.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Fr. Slowinski has served on the archdiocesan assignment board (2003-05), Metropolitan Tribunal (2005-10), the priests’ pension board (2013-present) and as chaplain to the Knights of Columbus. He earned the Cardinal Szoka Award in 2006.
Fr. Denis Bernard Theroux
Fr. Theroux, 54, attended Oblate College and the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He later earned graduate certificates in chaplaincy.
He was ordained May 24, 1990, at St. Dominic Church in Washington, D.C.
Fr. Theroux served in a special assignment at St. Dominic Parish in Detroit from 1992-93, becoming administrator and then pastor there from 1993-96. He served as associate pastor of Holy Family Parish, Novi (1996-98), and St. Edith Parish, Livonia (1998-2000), before being incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit on April 5, 2000.
Fr. Theroux served as pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Redford from 2000-06, serving briefly as administrator of St. Valentine Parish in Redford in 2004. He became pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Northville in 2006, where he continues to serve today. Fr. Therous has also served as a clergy representative to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and as vicar of the Northwest Vicariate (2003-10).
Fr. Wayne Gregory Ureel
Fr. Ureel, 54, was born in Mt. Clemens and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.
He was ordained June 9, 1990, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Peter Parish, Mt. Clemens.
Fr. Ureel was associate pastor of St. Edmund Parish, Warren (1990-93), and St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Sterling Heights (1993-95), while at the same time serving as chaplain to Warren De La Salle High School (1993-95). He was named temporary administrator of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Allenton in 1995, before becoming pastor of St. Cornelius Parish in Dryden (1995-2013). In addition to his responsibilities there, Fr. Ureel was also named pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Capac and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Allenton from 2007-13. In 2013, he was named pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Highland, where he still serves today. Fr. Ureel has also been vicar of the Thumb Vicariate (1999-07).
Fr. Wojciech Wojcicki
Fr. Wojcicki, 78, was born in Warsaw, Poland, and attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake and the University of Warsaw, where he studied law and economics.
He was ordained June 9, 1990, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
Fr. Wojcicki served as associate pastor at St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township (1990), St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Allen Park (1990-91), Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, Hamtramck (1991-99), and St. Edmund Parish, Warren (1999-2006). He was granted senior priest status in 2006.
Fr. Edward Francis Zaorski
Fr. Zaorski, 63, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary and Wayne State University in Detroit and the University of Windsor, Ontario.
He was ordained June 9, 1990, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit.
Fr. Zaorski served as associate pastor of St. Florian Parish, Hamtramck (1990-93), and St. Paul of Tarsus Parish, Clinton Township (1993-95). In 1995, he was made pastor of All Saints Parish, where he served until 2008, and SS. Andrew and Benedict Parish in Detroit, where he continues to serve today.
In addition to those pastoral responsibilities, Fr. Zaorski was asked to serve as administrator of a number of other parishes, including St. John Cantius (2002-07), St. Stephen/Mary, Mother of the Church (2006-10), St. Anthony (Lithuanian) (2009), St. Francis D’Assisi (2011) and St. Hedwig (2011), all in Detroit; and St. Mary Magdalen in Melvindale (2011-13). He has been pastor of St. Mary Magdalen since 2013.
Fr. Zaorski has also been vicar of the old Southwest Vicariate (2004-09).
40 years
Fr. Michael Noel Cooney
Fr. Cooney, 67, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He also attended the Catholic University of America, St. Mary’s University in Baltimore, the University of Detroit and Wayne State University, and earned certificates in liturgy (Georgetown University), canon law (Mundelein Seminary) and Scripture (St. John University).
Fr. Cooney was ordained June 6, 1975, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Blase Church in Sterling Heights.
He was first appointed as associate pastor at National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, Royal Oak (1975-80), and served as an associate judge at the archdiocesan Tribunal in 1977 and auditor in 1983. He was associate pastor of St. Basil the Great Parish in East Detroit (1980-83), St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights (1983) and St. Suzanne Parish, Detroit (1984-88). Fr. Cooney became pastor of St. Peter Parish in Mt. Clemens in 1990, where he continues to serve today.
Fr. Cooney also served as vicar of the old East Macomb Vicariate (1990-93, 2003-04), and is currently vicar of the Central Macomb Vicariate, being elected to three terms (2004-06, 2009-12, 2015). He has served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council, assignment board and as a chaplain.
Fr. Lawrence Joseph Delonnay 
Fr. Delonnay, 67, was born in Grosse Pointe and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.
He was ordained Feb. 8, 1975, at St. Michael Church in Monroe, where he celebrated his first Mass.
Fr. Delonnay served as associate pastor at St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights (1975-78), St. Raymond Parish, Detroit (1978-81), and St. Hugo of the Hills Parish, Bloomfield Hills (1981-86). He served as auditor of the Metropolitan Tribunal from 1981-82.
He was pastor of St. Christopher Parish, Detroit (1986-88), before serving on the faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary and as director of priestly vocations for the archdiocese from 1988-91. Fr. Delonnay served as pastor of St. Linus Parish, Dearborn Heights (1991-94), and was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford, in 1994, where he continues to serve.
Fr. Delonnay has served as chaplain to the Boy Scouts, and on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (1995-97, 2013-15). He earned the John Farrell Award in 1999 and was clergy chairman of the Catholic Services Appeal in 1997.
Fr. Donald Louis Demmer 
Fr. Demmer, 66, was born in Lincoln Park and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.
He was ordained Jan. 25, 1975, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Detroit.
Fr. Demmer served as associate pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (1975-78), Divine Child Parish, Dearborn (1978-82), St. Agatha Parish, Redford (1982-85), and St. Anne Parish, Warren (1985-87). He was pastor of St. Dunstan Parish in Garden City from 1987-2007, and has served as administrator of St. Columban Parish, Birmingham, and St. Alan Parish, Troy, from 2009-13. The two parishes merged to become Christ Our Light Parish in 2013, where Fr. Demmer is administrator today.
Msgr. Patrick Francis Halfpenny 
Msgr. Halfpenny, 68, was born in Pontiac and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He earned master’s degrees from the University of Detroit and University of San Francisco.
He was ordained Oct. 18, 1975, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Bernard Church, Detroit.
He served as associate pastor at Presentation/Our Lady of Victory Parish, Detroit (1975-78). In 1998, he was appointed chaplain at Bishop Borgess High School in Redford Township and public information officer for the archdiocesan staff. He was director of the archdiocesan Communications Department from 1979-82; spiritual director at Sacred Heart Seminary from 1982-88; and spiritual director (theologate) at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He was administrator at St. Thecla Parish, Clinton Township (1990) and St. Joseph Parish, Pontiac (1994), and was appointed pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Pontiac from 1993-94.
He served as editor-in-chief and associate publisher of The Michigan Catholic Newspaper from 1994-97, before being appointed vice rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 1996-2003. In 2003, he became pastor of St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms, where continues to serve today.
Msgr. Halfpenny was named a Chaplain of Honor to His Holiness (monsignor) on Sept. 30, 2005. He has also served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and as director of the archdiocesan Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life (2009-11).
Fr. John L. Kaul
Fr. Kaul, 68, was born in Wyandotte and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He also attended Mercy College in Detroit.
He was ordained May 24, 1975, at St. Joseph Church in Wyandotte.
Fr. Kaul served as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn (1975-77) and St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Shores (1977-82), before beginning a long service as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy, where he continues to serve. He is currently stationed as a chaplain to the 2nd Marine Division in Camp LeJeune, N.C. With the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Fr. Kaul has worked to facilitate contracts and faculties for priests serving the military on a non-active-duty basis, and a short time as vocations director.
Fr. Kaul has earned several honors and recognitions for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal twice, Navy Commendation Medal four times, Overseas Deployment Ribbon four times and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Fr. Joseph Michael Mahoney
Fr. Mahoney, 66, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.
He was ordained March 14, 1975, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Patrick Church, Wyandotte.
Fr. Mahoney served as associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish, Rochester (1975-78), before beginning his ministry as a hospital chaplain. Since 1978, Fr. Mahoney has served as chaplain at Harper Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Sinai Hospital, Oakland General, Bicounty Osteopathic, Macomb Health Center, St. John Oakland Hospital, DMC Sinai Grace Hospital and Henry Ford Bicounty Hospital, and St. John Hospital and Medical Center. Fr. Mahoney has also served the archdiocese in vicariate pastoral services.
Fr. James Henry Profota 
Fr. Profota, 69, was born in Hamtramck and attended the College of Steubenville in Ohio, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township, Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and the University of Detroit.
He was ordained April 26, 1975, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Lucy Church, St. Clair Shores.
Fr. Profota served as associate pastor of SS. Peter and Paul (Westside) Parish, Detroit (1975-77), St. Mel Parish, Dearborn Heights (1977-79), and St. Jude Parish, Detroit (1979-82). He was pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, Detroit (1982-89), St. Basil the Great Parish, Eastpointe (1989-2005), and St. Hubert Parish, Harrison Township (2005-07).
Fr. Profota also served as vicar of the old West Detroit Vicariate (1976-77), SERF Vicariate (1998-2005), on the Presbyteral Council and at the Retreat Center at St. John’s. He was granted senior priest status in 2007.
Fr. Henry Walter Roodbeen 
Fr. Roodbeen, 77, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township, and the University of Detroit.
He was ordained April 12, 1975, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Louis the King Church in Detroit.
Fr. Roodbeen served as associate pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Lake Orion (1975-78), Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Lincoln Park (1978-81), and Our Lady of Loretto Parish, Redford (1981-82). He was coadjutor pastor of Our Lady of Loretto from 1982-83, before becoming pastor there until 1988. Fr. Roodbeen served as pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Southgate from 1988-94, and at St. Colette Parish in Livonia from 1994-2010, when he was granted senior priest status.
In addition to his parish assignments, Fr. Roodbeen served as an auditor of the Metropolitan Tribunal (1981-82), as vicar of the old Southland Vicariate (1989-92) and on the priests’ pension board (2006-08).
Archbishop
Allen Henry Vigneron 
Archbishop Vigneron, 66, was born in Mt. Clemens and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and The Catholic University of American in Washington, D.C.
He was ordained to the priesthood July 26, 1975, at St. Clement Parish in Romeo and celebrated his first Mass at his home parish, Immaculate Conception in Anchorville.
He served as associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Harper Woods (1975-76), before returning to Rome to complete his licentiate in sacred theology from the Gregorian University. He returned to Our Lady Queen of Peace from 1977-79. He served briefly at St. Anastasia Parish, Troy, in 1980, before continuing his studies at The Catholic University of America, working toward an eventual Ph.D. in philosophy. He served as a professor of philosophy and theology at Sacred Heart Seminary from 1985-87, and as dean (1988-91) helped in the transition of Sacred Heart into a major seminary. He returned to Rome from 1991-94 to serve as an official of the Administrative Section of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State and as professor at the Gregorian University. In 1994, he returned to Detroit to become the second rector-president of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where he would serve until 2003.
On July 9, 1996, he was ordained an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit by Cardinal Adam J. Maida. As bishop, he continued to serve at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, while also providing pastoral support for the archdiocese’s Northeast Region.
On Jan. 10, 2003, then-Bishop Vigneron was named coadjutor bishop of Oakland, Calif., and was installed as its bishop on Oct. 1, 2003. He served as bishop of Oakland, where he would dedicate a new cathedral, from 2003 until he was called home by Pope Benedict XVI to shepherd the Archdiocese of Detroit on Jan. 5, 2009. He was installed as the 10th ordinary and fifth archbishop of Detroit on Jan. 28, 2009.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities to the archdiocese, Archbishop Vigneron has also served the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in several capacities, including on the Committee for the American College in Louvain, the Committee on Doctrine and the Subcommittee on the Catechism. In 2014, he was elected to a three-year term as chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Doctrine. Archbishop Vigneron has served on the board of The Catholic University of America since 2003, and was its chairman from 2009-15.
50 years
Fr. Victor Clore
Fr. Clore, 74, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and earned his licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He received a certificate in spiritual direction from the Jesuit-run Colombiere Center in Clarkston in 1979. Fr. Clore received a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1992, his doctorate in developmental psychology from Wayne State University in 1997, and completed his post-doctorate fellowship in philosophy from Boston College in 1998.
He was ordained Dec. 18, 1965, in Rome and celebrated his first Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Milan.
Fr. Clore served as associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Detroit (1966-72), and later as administrator (1972-75) and pastor there (1972-73). He was chaplain for the Wayne County Youth Home (1973-75) and associate director of Catholic Social Action (1975-78). He served as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish, Detroit (1978-80), and as auditor for the marriage tribunal of the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1980, he became pastor of Christ the King Parish in Detroit, where he continues to serve today. In January 2015, Fr. Clore also became pastor of St. Suzanne/Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish in Detroit.
Fr. Clore has also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Detroit Mercy, Marygrove College and Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, as well as at the Dominican Center for Religious Development.
Fr. Frederick James Klettner 
Fr. Klettner, 76, was born in Port Huron and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He was ordained June 5, 1965, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Joseph Church in Port Huron.
Fr. Klettner served as associate pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pontiac (1965-68), St. Alfred Parish, Taylor (1970-80), and St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (1977-80). He was chaplain at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac (1968-75) was honored for helping start a union at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac.
Fr. Klettner was pastor of SS. Kevin & Norbert Parish in Inkster from 1980-94, and St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Farmington Hills from 1994-2009. Fr. Klettner also was vicar of the old Western Wayne Vicariate (1983-86). He was granted senior priest status in 2009.
Msgr. Anthony Michael Tocco 
Msgr. Tocco, 75, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He earned a master’s in counseling from the University of Detroit.
He was ordained June 5, 1965, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Dorothy Church in Warren.
He served as associate pastor of St. Veronica Parish, Eastpointe (1965-71), weekend assistant at St. Barnabas Parish, Eastpointe (1970-71), administrator of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Parish, Fraser (1971-74), and pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, St. Clair Shores (1974-85). He began serving as pastor of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills in 1985, where he still serves today.
He was vicar of the old SERF Vicariate (1970-76) and recipient of the John Farrell Award in 1984. On March 26, 1990, he was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness (monsignor).
Msgr. Tocco served on the Presbyteral Council (1997-98, 2007-09) and College of Consultors (2002-12). He was also the priest chairman of the Catholic Services Appeal in 1985, served as site director of the papal visit of St. John Paul II in 1987, was a member of the archdiocesan allocations committee (1985-89) and served as chairman of the renovation of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament (1998).
60 years
Msgr. Edward Joseph Baldwin
Msgr. Baldwin, 85, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He also attended Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, and Wayne State University in Detroit. He also pursued continuing education in Dublin, Ireland; Canberra, Australia; and in Rome.
He was ordained June 4, 1955, at St. John’s Provincial Seminary and celebrated his first Mass at St. Gregory Church, Detroit.
He served as associate pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish, Detroit (1955-60), and St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Harper Woods (1960-61). He served as a faculty member (1963-70), adjunct faculty (1985-95) and on the formation team (1992-95) at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit. He was also director of the vocations office (1965-78) and the permanent diaconate program (1969) for the archdiocese.
After working to help establish St. John Neumann Parish, Canton, he was pastor there (1976-87). He served as administrator at St. Anne Parish, Warren (1976), and was pastor at St. Michael Parish, Livonia (1987-92), and St. Owen, Bloomfield Hills (1992-99).
Msgr. Baldwin co-hosted “Dialogue,” a program of the Catholic Television Network of Detroit, in 1970, and served as director of the National Center of Church Vocations in 1972. He was chaplain for CYO camps in Port Sanilac, the Boy Scouts of America and Camp Ozanam in Carsonville. He was named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. Baldwin was granted senior priest status in 1999. Afterward, he served on the Presbyteral Council (2002-07) and briefly as administrator of St. Rene Goupil Parish in Sterling Heights in 2005.
Msgr. George Thomas Browne 
Msgr. Browne, 84, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He was ordained June 4, 1955, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church, Detroit.
He served as associate pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Marine City (1955-60, 1976-81), along with Precious Blood Parish (1960-65), St. Brigid Parish (1965-67), St. Joseph Parish (1967-68) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish (1968), all in Detroit. He was pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Waterford (1971-76), and St. Angela Parish, Roseville (1981-2000).
Msgr. Browne was granted senior priest status in 2000, but continued to serve as administrator of several parishes, including St. Barnabas, Eastpointe (2000-01), St. Augustine, Richmond (2002, 2006), All Saints, Memphis (2002), St. Mark, Harsens Island (2003), St. Hubert, Harrison Township (2003, 2007), Holy Cross, Marine City (2003), St. Kenneth, Plymouth (2004), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Emmett (2006), and Our Lady on the River, Marine City (2010).
Msgr. Browne earned the Cardinal Dearden Award in 1991, and was named a Chaplain to His Holiness (monsignor) on Sept. 30, 2005. He served as vicar of the old SERF Vicariate (1989-92), on the archdiocesan assignment board (1996-98), and Presbyteral Council (1998-2000, 2003-05). He was director of alumni relations at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, from 2006-12.
Fr. John David Canavan
Fr. Canavan, 88, was born in Dearborn and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He was ordained June 4, 1955, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Clement Church, Dearborn.
Fr. Canavan served as associate pastor of St. John Parish, Monroe (1955-56), St. Joseph Parish, Erie (1956-58), St. Lawrence Parish, Utica (1958-63), St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish, Taylor (1963-67), and St. Basil Parish, East Detroit (1967-70). He was pastor of St. Constance Parish, Taylor, from 1970-97, when he was granted senior priest status.
Msgr. John Franklin Hall
Msgr. Hall, 87, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He was ordained June 4, 1955, and celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, Detroit.
He was associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Anchorville (1955), St. Ambrose Parish, Grosse Pointe Park (1955-56), St. Francis Xavier Parish, Ecorse (1956-58), Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit (1958-63), and St. Patrick Parish, Wyandotte (1963-66). He was a hospital chaplain in Ann Arbor (1966-69) before becoming pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Wyandotte (1970-77). He then served as pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Warren (1977-91), and St. Philip Neri Parish, Richmond, and Holy Rosary Mission, Smiths Creek (1991-92). He was then pastor of St. Richard Parish, Westland (1992-98). He was temporary administrator at St. Damian Parish, Westland, in 1996. Aside from parish ministry, Msgr. Hall served on the priest senate, priest pension board and Presbyteral Council.
He was granted senior priest status in 1998, but continued to serve as administrator of several parishes, including St. Andrew, Rochester (1998), St. Lawrence, Utica (2001, 2003), SS. John and Paul Parish, Washington Township (2002), St. James, Ferndale (2009), and St. Mary, Royal Oak (2009).
Msgr. Hall was named a Chaplain to His Holiness (monsignor) in 2012, and currently serves as spiritual director for seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.
Fr. Norman Paul Thomas
Fr. Thomas, 84, was born in Highland Park and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and St. John Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township. He also attended Wayne State University, Detroit.
He was ordained June 4, 1955, and celebrated his first Mass at Presentation Parish, Detroit.
Fr. Thomas served as associate pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, Detroit (1955), St. Michael Parish, Pontiac (1955-59), and St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Hazel Park (1959-63). He was director of the Urban Parish Apostolate (1965-68). He has served as administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Detroit, since 1968.
Fr. Thomas has also served as chairman of the Core Vicariate (1970), and on the Presbyteral Council, priest’s senate and assignment board.
70 years
Fr. Edward Francis Konopka
Fr. Konopka, 95, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, 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).
He also was vicar of the North Oakland-Pontiac Vicariate (1967-68) and 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 Immaculate Conception Parish, Lapeer (1993-97), and St. Genevieve Parish, Livonia (1997).
More jubilarians
The Michigan Catholic also honors those priests celebrating anniversary years greater than 60. This year, these priests are:
More than 60 years
Fr. Daniel C. Complo (61 years)
Fr. Edward J. Mitchell (61 years)
Fr. Francis A. Weingartz (61 years)
Fr. John A. Blaska (62 years)
Fr. Frederick A. Bodde (62 years)
Fr. Eugene R. Strain (62 years)
Fr. Thomas F. Esper (64 years)
Fr. Edward W. Ritter (64 years)
Msgr. Robert V. Monticello (64 years)
Fr. Lawrence T. Fares (65 years)
Fr. Edward L. Scheuerman (65 years)
Msgr. Peter S. Lentine (65 years)
Fr. Fabian B. Slominski (67 years)
Msgr. Thomas H. Villerot (72 years)
