PLYMOUTH — Members of the archdiocesan curia gathered for one final time March 12 to pray with the outgoing leader of the Archdiocese of Detroit, as Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron offered his thanks and bid farewell to those he's called his "coworkers" and "friends" over the past 16 years.
Archbishop Vigneron celebrated Mass with approximately 150 curia members at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, followed by a luncheon and farewell greetings.
The retiring archbishop expressed his gratitude to those who've contributed to the mission of the Archdiocese of Detroit during his episcopacy, including those who've come and gone from the archdiocese.
"If people say that I've been able to accomplish some good, to the extent that's true, it's in thanks to you, and I'm grateful for that," the archbishop said. "But more importantly, we are here to give God praise and thanks together for what He has been able to accomplish through our humble actions."
Close curia coworkers and advisers, including Kathleen McCann and Fr. Jeffrey Day, gave tributes in honor of Archbishop Vigneron's service. "Your eyes are always fixed on Jesus," McCann said. "You let his kindly light lead you."
McCann thanked Archbishop Vigneron "for your steadfastness, your gentleness, your humility, your sense of humor that you've shown through your time in leadership, and, in both celebration and difficulty, your deep trust in the Lord."
(Photos by Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic)
