Archbishop ordains first member of presbyteral class of 2020 at cathedral; four others to follow this week and next

DETROIT — The Archdiocese of Detroit added its newest priest June 1 after Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron ordained Fr. Mark Tibai, formerly a seminarian at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Fr. Tibai, 31, is the first member of the class of 2020 to be ordained; others in the class include transitional Deacons John Carlin, David Pellican, Andrew Mabee and Colin Fricke.

Archbishop Vigneron is ordaining each of the men separately this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Next up will be Deacon Carlin, who will be ordained Thursday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m.

Fr. Tibai thanked the few dozen people in attendance, including his formators and parents, Mark and Susan Tibai, as well as those watching via livestream.

Thanking Archbishop Vigneron for his spiritual fatherhood, Fr. Tibai said he was grateful to be ordained to serve God’s people.

“I thank God for bestowing this great gift upon me of the priesthood. It’s not mine. It is for his people,” Fr. Tibai said. “Please continue to pray for me as I begin this journey, and know of my prayers and gratitude for each one of you.”

Fr. Tibai, who hails from Divine Grace Parish in Carleton, will begin serving as associate pastor of St. Fabian Parish in Farmington. 

Here are some photos from his ordination Mass: