In the Catholic world, there is no life without the sacraments. And there are no sacraments without priests. But while priests across the Archdiocese of Detroit bring those sacraments daily to their parishioners, their service goes well beyond that. They are comforters, friends, advisers, shepherds, leaders, listeners and sometimes even handymen. This year, 47 archdiocesan priests are celebrating milestone anniversaries of their priestly ordination, including three bishops who are featured earlier in this section. For all they do, and for their lifelong commitment to Christ’s flock, we say thanks and offer our prayers.

 

25 years

Msgr. Ronald T. Browne

Msgr. Browne, 60, was born in Detroit and attended Mercy College of Detroit, Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He earned his licentiate in canon law from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, and a doctorate in civil law from the Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.

Msgr. Browne was ordained June 29, 1991, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Detroit.

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods (1991-92) and National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish in Royal Oak (1992-95) before going to Rome to finish his studies in canon law. Upon returning to Detroit, he served as a weekend assistant at Divine Child Parish in Dearborn and St. Colette Parish in Livonia. In 1999, he was named judicial vicar for the Metropolitan Tribunal, serving in that role until 2001. From 2002-04, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington, and later served as pastor of St. Gerald Parish in Farmington from 2004-09. During that time, he also served on the Priests’ Assignment Board (2003-07) and archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2008-09).

In 2009, he was sent to the Diocese of Marquette to serve as moderator of the curia for then-Bishop Alexander K. Sample. Upon being named a chaplain to His Holiness (monsignor) by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, Msgr. Browne returned to the Archdiocese of Detroit, serving as director of the Metropolitan Tribunal and weekend assistant at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Beverly Hills (2013-14). In 2015, Msgr. Browne was named judicial vicar for the second time for the Metropolitan Tribunal, and continues to serve as judicial vicar and director of the Tribunal today. In addition to those roles, Msgr. Browne was appointed in 2015 by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron to serve as secretary to the 2016 archdiocesan synod on evangelization, a role in which he continues to serve.

 

 

 

Msgr. G. Michael Bugarin

Msgr. Bugarin, 52, was born in Grosse Pointe and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome before being ordained on June 29, 1991. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Rene Goupil Church in Sterling Heights.

Msgr. Bugarin served as associate pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Shores (1991-93), before being assigned as priest-secretary to Cardinal Adam J. Maida from 1993-98. From 1998-2004, he studied canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning his licentiate in canon law in 2004. While there, he served as director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, which was under the care of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Upon returning to Detroit in 2004, he was assigned as pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, where he continues to serve today. In 2005, Msgr. Bugarin was named a chaplain to His Holiness (monsignor) by Pope Benedict XVI. From 2011-12, he served as temporary administrator of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in St. Clair Shores.

Since 2009, Msgr. Bugarin has served as the archbishop’s delegate for cases involving clergy misconduct, and has served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2009-12) and three terms as vicar of the SERF Vicariate (2005-12).

 

 

Fr. Bradley Forintos

Fr. Forintos, 60, was born in Lincoln Park and attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He was ordained June 29, 1991, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

Fr. Forintos served as associate pastor of St. Colette Parish in Livonia (1991-94) and St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in New Baltimore (1994-97). During his time in New Baltimore, he also served as chaplain to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Marine City. In 1997, Fr. Forintos was named pastor of St. Mary Mystical Rose Parish in Armada, where he served until 2009. Since 2009, he has been pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Trenton, also serving briefly in 2010 as temporary administrator of St. Timothy Parish in Trenton.

 

 

Fr. Marc Gawronski

Fr. Gawronski, 54, was born in Livonia and attended the University of Michigan, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township and the University of Notre Dame.

He was ordained June 29, 1991, and celebrated his first Mass at Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson.

Fr. Gawronski served as associate pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Lincoln Park (1991-95), and St. Patrick Parish, White Lake (1995-97). Fr. Gawronski was appointed pastor of St. Stephen/Mary Mother of the Church Parish in Detroit, serving there until 2002. He was pastor of St. Mary Parish, Rockwood (2002-05), and St. Mary Parish, Monroe (2005-13), before being appointed pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Detroit in 2013, where he continues to serve today. Fr. Gawronski has served three times on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2008-14), and served as vicar of the Monroe Vicariate from 2009-13.

 

 

 

 

Fr. David Lesniak

Fr. Lesniak, 57, was born in Highland Park and attended Wayne State University and Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He was ordained June 29, 1991, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Redford.

Fr. Lesniak served as associate pastor of St. Veronica Parish, Eastpointe (1991-92); Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth (1992-94); Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford (1994-96); and Immaculate Conception Parish, Lapeer (1996). He was appointed pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Port Huron in 1997, serving there until 2004. He also served as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (2004-15), and since 2015 has been pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Trenton.

 

 

30 years

Fr. Alberto Bondy

Fr. Bondy, 73, was born in Detroit and attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas; the University of Notre Dame; and Brooklyn College before entering St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He also attended St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame, St. John’s University in Brooklyn, N.Y., Marquette University in Milwaukee and Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.

Fr. Bondy was ordained Nov. 22, 1986. He has served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Detroit (1986-87); St. Raymond Parish, Detroit (1987-90); and St. Paul on the Lake Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms (1990-92). Until 2001, he served as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Livonia, then was made pastor of St. Clement Parish in Center Line (2001-05). Since 2005, he has been serving as pastor of St. Anne Parish in Warren.

 

 

 

Fr. James Commyn

Fr. Commyn, 62, was born in Detroit and attended the University of Notre Dame, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township and Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.

He was ordained Nov. 22, 1986, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philomena Parish in Detroit.

He served as associate pastor at St. Regis Parish in Bloomfield Hills (1986-87), St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Allen Park (1987-89), St. Agatha Parish in Redford Township (1989-92), St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms (1992-93) and St. Augustine Parish in Richmond (1993-96). From 1993 until 2005, he served as pastor of St. Augustine Parish, during which time he also served as vicar of the Old Belle River Vicariate (2002). Since 2005, he has been pastor of St. Lucy Parish in St. Clair Shores.

 

 

 

Fr. Anthony Sulkowski

Fr. Sulkowski, 57, was born in St. Clair and attended St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained Nov. 22, 1986, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philip Neri Parish in Columbus Township.

He served as associate pastor at St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights (1986-87), National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish in Royal Oak (1987-89), St. Andrew Parish in Rochester (1989-93) and St. Martin de Porres Parish in Warren (1993-96). He then was made pastor of St. Mary Parish in Monroe (1996-2002) during which time he also served as vicar of the Old Monroe Vicariate (1999-2002). He was pastor of St. Louis Parish in Clinton Township from 2002 until taking his current assignment as pastor of St. Basil the Great Parish in Eastpointe in 2007. Since then, he has also served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2012-14) and as vicar of the SERF Vicariate (2012-16).

 

 

Fr. Christopher Welsh

Fr. Welsh, 64, was born in Detroit and attended the University of Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He was ordained Nov. 22, 1986.

He served as associate pastor at St. Kenneth Parish in Plymouth from 1986 until 1987, and at St. Regis Parish in Bloomfield Hills from 1987 until 1997. He has been chaplain at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak since 1992.

 

 

40 years

Fr. James Bjorum

Fr. Bjorum, 68, was born in Scotland, S.D., and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, the University of Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He also earned a master’s in canon law and canon law license from the University of St. Paul in Ottawa, Ontario.

He was ordained Feb. 7, 1976, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Matthew Church, Detroit.

Fr. Bjorum served as associate pastor at St. Anne Parish, Warren (1976-79); and St. Agatha Parish, Redford Township (1979-82). He served as a judge on the Metropolitan Tribunal from 1984-86, and from 1986-89 served as chaplain to Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods. In 1988, he was named associate director of vocations for the archdiocese’s Northeast Region.

Fr. Bjorum became pastor of St. Germaine Parish in St. Clair Shores in 1989, serving there until the parish’s merger with nearby St. Gertrude Parish formed Our Lady of Hope Parish in 2009. Fr. Bjorum served as administrator of the new parish, and was assigned as its pastor in 2011. He remains there today.

Fr. Bjorum has also served as vicar of the SERF Vicariate (1992-95) and as a member of the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2003-05).

 

 

Fr. George Charnley

Fr. Charnley, 75, 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 March 6, 1976, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philomena Parish in Detroit.

Fr. Charnley served as associate pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, St. Clair Shores (1976-79), and St. Anne Parish, Warren (1979-82). He served as auditor for the Metropolitan Tribunal from 1981-82 before being assigned as pastor of St. Dunstan Parish, Garden City, where he served from 1982-87. During the same time, Fr. Charnley was director of the permanent diaconate program for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He later served as pastor of St. John Neumann Parish, Canton (1987-2003), and St. James Parish, Novi (2003-12).

Fr. Charnley served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council from 1998-2003. He was granted senior priest status in 2012.

 

 

 

Fr. Janusz Iwan

Fr. Iwan, 67, was born in Poland and attended a Jesuit school in his native country.

Ordained July 31, 1976, from the Southern Province of the Jesuits in Poland, Fr. Iwan came to the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1997 and served at St. Veronica Parish in Eastpointe until 1999. Fr. Iwan served as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lapeer from 1999-2005, and was incardinated into the archdiocese in 2000.

From 2005-06, Fr. Iwan served as pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Wyandotte. In 2006, he became pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish in Detroit, and in 2013, he was asked to take on added responsibility as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish in Hamtramck. He remains pastor of both parishes today.

Fr. Iwan has also served as chaplain to Henry Ford-Wyandotte General Hospital (2005-11).

 

 

 

Fr. Michael A. Molnar

Fr. Molnar, 68, was born in Mt. Clemens and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He was ordained Feb. 13, 1976, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Algonac.

Fr. Molnar served as associate pastor at St. Suzanne Parish, Detroit (1976-78); St. Fabian Parish, Farmington Hills (1978-79); and St. Bede Parish, Southfield (1979-81). From 1977-87, he served the archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal as an associate judge. He was assigned to full-time ministry there in 1981, including duties as an assessor and archdiocesan grievance clerk.

Fr. Molnar was named pastor of St. Leo and St. Benedict the Moor parishes in Detroit (1982-83). In 1983, he went to Rome to complete his graduate studies, and was assigned to the Metropolitan Tribunal from 1985-90 upon his return to Detroit. In 1986, he was named associate director of vocations, in addition to his other duties.

Fr. Molnar served as pastor of St. Boniface/St. Vincent Parish, Detroit (1986-89); St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish, Westland (1989-98); and St. Agatha Parish, Redford Township (1998-2000). From 2000-07, Fr. Molnar was assigned as pastor of St. Ignatius Parish on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, which is under the pastoral care of the archbishop of Detroit. Upon returning to Michigan in 2007, he served briefly as associate pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington before becoming pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Grosse Ile (2008), where he remains today. Fr. Molnar has also served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2014-16).

 

 

 

Fr. Lawrence Ventline

Fr. Ventline, 67, was born in Detroit and attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township, the University of Detroit and St. Mary’s University and Seminary in Baltimore, Md.

He was ordained June 4, 1976, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Detroit.

Fr. Ventline served as associate pastor of St. Raymond Parish, Detroit (1976-79), and St. Rene Goupil Parish, Sterling Heights (1979-81). He served as campus minister at Macomb Community College beginning in 1980, was named to the Metropolitan Tribunal as an auditor (1981-82), and worked for the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, all while continuing to serve at St. Rene Goupil.

Fr. Ventline was named pastor of St. Christine Parish, Detroit (1981-85), and associate pastor pro tem at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Harper Woods (1985). He was vicar of the West Detroit Vicariate from 1982-85. He served as chaplain and director of campus ministry at Madonna College, Livonia, from 1986-87. From 1987-90, he served as pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Lake Orion. He later served as associate director of spiritual formation at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis. (1991-95), before returning to Detroit as associate pastor of St. Anne Parish, Warren (1992-94). He was pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Farmington, from 1994-95.

In 1996, Fr. Ventline became a full-time counselor at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center in Memphis, and was named temporary administrator of St. Mark Parish, Harsens Island, from 1996-97. He assisted at St. Daniel Parish, Clarkston (1999).

 

 

50 years

Fr. Robert H. Blondell

Fr. Blondell, 75, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He earned a master’s in education from the University of Detroit and continued his education at various institutions including St. Mary’s Seminary, University of Notre Dame, Loyola University and Boston College.

Fr. Bondell was ordained June 4, 1966, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philomena Parish in Detroit.

He served as associate pastor at All Saints Parish, Detroit (1966-68), and St. Mark Parish, Warren (1968-73), before becoming pastor at St. Conrad Parish in Melvindale (1973-79). He served as pastor of St. Ephrem Parish, Sterling Heights, for 17 years (1979-96). Fr. Blondell also served as an associate professor at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake and as a chaplain at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac.

In 1996, Fr. Blondell became the founding pastor of St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish in Macomb. In 2002, he added the responsibilities of administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ray Township. In 2006, the two parishes merged to create St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish, where Fr. Blondell continued to serve until 2007. From 2007-11, he was pastor of St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township.

Despite being granted senior priest status in 2011, Fr. Blondell has continued to serve in various roles, including as administrator of St. Clement Parish, Warren (2011-12); St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Warren (2011-12); Sacred Heart Parish, Dearborn (2012-13); and St. Kenneth Parish, Plymouth (2014-15).

Fr. Blondell also served as an auditor for the Metropolitan Tribunal (1981-82), and currently serves on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council.

 

 

 

Fr. Paul F. Chateau

Fr. Chateau, 76, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 4, 1966, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at Guardian Angels Parish in Detroit.

Fr. Chateau served as associate pastor (1966-70) and later co-pastor (1970-71) of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Warren; administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Monroe (1971-72); and administrator of St. James Parish, Ferndale (1979). In 1972, Fr. Chateau began serving as co-pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Oak Park, becoming its sole pastor in 1979. In 2012, he added the pastorate of St. James Parish in Ferndale, and served as pastor of both parishes until their merger into Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in 2014. He continues to serve as pastor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help today.

 

 

 

Fr. Sidney J. Eckert

Fr. Eckert, 75, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He was ordained June 4, 1966, in Detroit.

He served as associate pastor at St. Priscilla Parish, Livonia (1967-70); St. Jude Parish, Detroit (1970-71); St. Valentine Parish, Redford (1971-73); All Saints Parish, Detroit (1973-77); Divine Child Parish, Dearborn (1977); St. Anthony Parish, Belleville (1978); St. Mary Parish, Wayne (1978-79); St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights (1979); St. Daniel Parish, Clarkston (1979); St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1979); St. Dorothy Parish, Warren (1980); St. Alfred Parish, Taylor (1980-81); St. Patrick Parish, Wyandotte (1981); St. Paul on the Lake Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms (1981-82); St. Kieran Parish, Utica (1982-83); and Guardian Angels Parish, Clawson (1993-98).

Fr. Eckert served as administrator of St. Mary Parish, Milford (1979); St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish, Taylor (1979); St. Kevin Parish, Inkster (1979); St. Patrick Parish, Wyandotte (1981); St. John the Baptist Parish, Monroe (1981); St. Benedict Parish, Highland Park (1997-98); St. Brendan Parish, Detroit (1997); St. Claude Parish, Clinton Township (1998-99); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit (1999-2000); St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish, Ray Township (2007); and St. Cletus Parish, Warren (2007-11).

He served as pastor of St. Basil the Great Parish, Eastpointe (1983-89); and St. Maurice Parish, Livonia (2000-06). Fr. Eckert has also served as a chaplain to the U.S. Army and as vicar of the Northwest Detroit Vicariate (1997-98). He was granted senior priest status in 2011.

 

 

 

Fr. James A. Mayworm

Fr. Mayworm, 76, was born in Bay City and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 4, 1966, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Waterford Township.

Fr. Mayworm served as associate pastor at St. William Parish, Walled Lake (1966-72); St. Anastasia Parish, Troy (1972-73); St. Michael Parish, Monroe (1979-80); St. Andrew Parish, Rochester (1980-83); and St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1995-96). He served as administrator of St. Clement from 1996-97.

He served as co-pastor of St. Anastasia Parish from 1973-75, and as pastor of St. Lucy Parish, St. Clair Shores (1975-79); Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish, Detroit (1983-87); St. Barnabas Parish, Eastpointe (1987-92); St. Lawrence Parish, Utica (1992-95); and Sacred Heart Parish, Auburn Hills (1997-2009).

Fr. Mayworm was granted senior priest status in 2009, but served as administrator of St. Benedict Parish in Waterford from 2013-16. Additionally, he was vicar of the old Birmingham/Bloomfield Troy Vicariate (1974-75) and SERF Vicariate (1979).

 

 

 

Fr. Richard A. Perfetto

Fr. Perfetto, 75, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 4, 1966, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Juliana Church in Detroit.

Fr. Perfetto served as associate pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Detroit (1966-68); St. Louis Parish, Mt. Clemens (1968-70); and St. Ephrem Parish, Sterling Heights (1970-72). He was pastor at St. Hugh Parish, Southgate (1972-86); and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth (1986-90). He was briefly administrator of Our Lady of Good Counsel in 1990 before being asked to be the founding pastor of Resurrection Parish in Canton, where he served from 1990-2010. He was granted senior priest status in 2010, but later served as temporary administrator of St. Anselm Parish, Dearborn Heights (2011-12); St. Thomas a’Becket Parish, Canton (2013-14); and St. Kenneth Parish, Plymouth (2015).

Fr. Perfetto has served as vicar of the Southland Vicariate (1979-85); a member of the archdiocesan College of Consultors (1983-85); director of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary Alumni Association (2011-12); and a member of the Priests’ Pension Board (2012-15).

 

 

 

Fr. John J. Sullivan

Fr. Sullivan, 76, was born in Detroit and attended St. Cecilia School, Sacred Heart Seminary High School and College in Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 4, 1966, in Detroit and served his first Mass at St. Mel Parish in Dearborn Heights.

Fr. Sullivan served as associate pastor at St. Eugene Parish, Detroit (1966-69); St. Pius X Parish, Southgate (1969-70); and St. Lucy Parish, St. Clair Shores (1970-72). He served as pastor of St. Lucy from 1972-75, and later as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Wayne (1975-83); St. Anne Parish, Ortonville (1983-92); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth (1992-2007); and St. Owen Parish, Bloomfield Hills (2007-09).

Fr. Sullivan was vicar of the Western Wayne Vicariate (1981-83) and the Lakes Vicariate (1984-90), deacon supervisor, and a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly and Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. He was a member of the budget review committee from 1988-90 and the Priests’ Assignment Board from 2002-04. Fr. Sullivan also served as chaplain to Camp Stapleton in Lexington and Camp Ozanam in Carsonville. He was granted senior priest status in 2009.

 

 

 

60 years

Fr. Leo P. Broderick

Fr. Broderick, 86, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 2, 1956, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Luke Church in Detroit.

Fr. Broderick served as assistant pastor at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Allen Park (1956-61); and St. John Parish, Ypsilanti (1961-64). He was assigned to the Newman Center at Eastern Michigan University from 1964-69.

From 1969-70, he was pastor of St. Clement Parish, Dearborn. He was appointed to the faculty of St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth in 1971, where he remained until 1977. He served as pastor of St. William Parish, Walled Lake (1977-85); St. Augustine Parish, Richmond (1985-89); Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford Township (1989-94); and St. Catherine Parish, Algonac (1994-98). He then served from 1998-2000 as pastor of both St. John the Evangelist Parish, Allenton, and St. Nicholas Parish, Capac. After being granted senior priest status in 2000, Fr. Broderick was administrator of St. Barnabas Parish, Eastpointe (2001), All Saints Parish, Memphis (2002), and Holy Rosary Mission and St. Philip Neri parishes in Columbus (2003-04).

He was vicar of the Belle River Vicariate from 1987-89.

 

 

 

Fr. Sigismund C. Kowalczyk

Fr. Kowalczyk, 86, was born in Hamtramck and attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 2, 1956, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Ladislaus Church in Hamtramck.

Fr. Kowalczyk served as assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish (1956-60), St. Hyacinth Parish (1960-65) and St. Francis d’Assisi Parish (1965-70), all in Detroit. From 1970-84, he was pastor of St. Francis d’Assisi, and was pastor of SS. Peter and Paul (West Side) Parish in Detroit from 1984-93. He served as vicar of the Southwest Vicariate from 1981-83. In 1993, Fr. Kowalczyk was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Anchorville, where he served until being granted senior priest status in 1999.

 

 

 

Fr. George Kowalski

Fr. Kowalski, 91, was born in Helenova, Poland, and attended Salesian Seminary in Krakow, Poland.

He was ordained June 29, 1956, in Oswiecim, Poland, and celebrated his first Mass as SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Czyzewo, Poland. Fr. Kowalski was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 17, 1979.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Mel Parish, Dearborn Heights (1979-82); Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth (1982-87); and St. Cletus Parish, Warren (1987-89). He was appointed chaplain at Wyandotte General Hospital and temporary parochial administrator at St. Helena Parish, Wyandotte (1989-94). He was then pastor of St. Helena from 1994-98, maintaining his hospital assignment until 1995. Fr. Kowalski was granted senior priest status in 1998.

 

 

 

Msgr. James A. Moloney

Msgr. Moloney, 86, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 2, 1956, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Mary of Redford Church in Detroit.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Shores (1956-61). In 1961, he was appointed assistant director of the archdiocesan Society for the Propagation of the Faith, becoming its director in 1963. He began serving as pastor of St. Anselm Parish in Dearborn in 1978, and he still serves in both roles today.

Msgr. Moloney was appointed a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness — the second of three ranks of monsignor — by Pope St. John Paul II on March 26, 1990. He was elevated to Protonotary Apostolic, the highest of the three ranks, by Pope Benedict XVI on Sept. 30, 2005.

He served two consecutive terms as vicar of the Dearborn Vicariate from 1989-95, and served on the archdiocesan College of Consultors from 1997-2012. Msgr. Moloney also served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council from 2007-09.

 

 

 

Fr. Daniel J. Murphy

Fr. Murphy, 86, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit; and St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 6, 1956, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Cecilia Church in Detroit.

Fr. Murphy served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Port Huron (1956-61); St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pontiac (1961-65); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit (1965-69); and St. Edith Parish, Livonia (1969-70). He was appointed pastor of St. Timothy Parish, Trenton (1970-79), and then at St. Regis Parish, Bloomfield Township (1979-99). He was granted senior priest status in 1999.

Fr. Murphy served as vicar of the Birmingham-Bloomfield-Troy Vicariate from 1994-97. From 2004-07, he served on the Archdiocesan Pension Board, and served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council from 2004-08.

 

 

 

Fr. Leon J. Page

Fr. Page, 86, was born in River Rouge and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 2, 1956, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Church in Warren.

Fr. Page served as temporary assistant pastor at St. Henry Parish, Lincoln Park, in 1956. He served as assistant pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn (1956-61); St. Martin Parish, Detroit (1961-65); St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Hazel Park (1965-69); St. Norbert Parish, Inkster (1969-70); and St. Matthew Parish, Detroit (1970-73). He served as temporary administrator at St. Matthew from 1973-74. Fr. Page was associate pastor at St. Louise de Marillac Parish, Warren (1974-77). In 1977, he became founding pastor of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Sterling Heights, where he served until being granted senior priest status in 1999.

 

 

 

Fr. Bernard L. Pilarski

Fr. Pilarski, 83, was born in Naklo Slaskie, Poland, and attended the Jagellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and Katowice Diocesan Seminary.

He was ordained June 24, 1956, in Katowice, Poland, and incardinated into the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 15, 1982.

Fr. Pilarski served as assistant pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Detroit (1969-76); Transfiguration Parish, Detroit (1976-79); and associate pastor at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, Warren (1980-82). In 1982, he was assigned to health care ministry at Annapolis and Garden City Osteopathic hospitals, where he served until 2010. During his hospital ministry, he served as chaplain of Walter Reuther State Psychiatric Hospital in Westland (1984), Total Care Home for the Aged in Wayne (1983) and Transitional Care Home for the Aged in Wayne (1984). He was granted senior priest status in 2010.

 

 

 

65 years

Fr. Thomas F. Esper

Fr. Esper, 90, was born in Dearborn and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, the Pontifical North American College in Rome and the Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

He was ordained June 2, 1951.

Fr. Esper served as assistant pastor at St. Louis Parish, Mount Clemens (1951-54); Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, River Rouge (1954-59); St. Gertrude Parish, St. Clair Shores (1959-64); St. Joseph Parish, Trenton (1964-65); and St. Mary’s of Redford Parish, Detroit (1965-69).

He served as pastor of Holy Innocents Parish, Roseville (1969-86) and St. Edward on the Lake Parish, Lakeport (1986-96), serving also as vicar of the Port Huron Vicariate from 1993-96. He was granted senior priest status in 1996.

 

 

Msgr. Robert V. Monticello

Msgr. Monticello, 89, was born in Detroit and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Fordham University in New York and the University of Detroit. He also attended Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwood, Ohio; Yale University, St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township and the Institute for Continuing Theological Education.

He was ordained June 2, 1951, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philip Neri Parish in Detroit.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Alphonsus, Dearborn (1951), then at Madonna Parish in Detroit (1951-55). After completing graduate studies at Fordham University, New York, he founded and directed Catholic Social Services of Macomb/Lenawaee Counties (1957-67).

He was chaplain of the St. Francis Home for Boys, Detroit (1961-71) and also taught at that time at Sacred Heart Seminary (1962-66) and Mercy College, Detroit (1963-66). He was director of Catholic Social Services for the Archdiocese of Detroit (1967-68), director of the archdiocesan Department of Christian Service (1968-70) and deputy delegate for clergy (1970-71).

For most of the 1970s, Msgr. Monticello ministered in Washington, D.C., serving there as executive director for the Campaign for Human Development (1971-73), associate general secretary for the U.S. Catholic Conference (1973), and as assistant treasurer for the conference (1974-78) as well as deputy treasurer for Catholic Relief Services.

In 1979, he returned to Detroit and was made coordinator of planning and services, and an executive assistant to Cardinal John Dearden and Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka. He served as pastor of St. Martha Parish, Dearborn (1981-85); St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Allen Park (1985-88); and St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Farmington Hills (1988-99).

He was named prelate of honor to His Holiness — the second of three ranks of monsignor — in 1990. He was granted senior priest status in 1999, but has since volunteered his time ministering at various parishes, as well as on the Priests’ Pension Board (2006-12) and archdiocesan Presbyteral Council (2011-13).

 

 

Fr. Edward W. Ritter

Fr. Ritter, 90, was born in Detroit and attended Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwood, Ohio; Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit; and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.

He was ordained June 2, 1951, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Elizabeth Parish in Detroit.

He was assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Port Huron (1951-56); St. Aloysius Parish, Detroit (1956-61); and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Ecorse (1966-69). He also had been chaplain at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital starting in 1961.

Fr. Ritter served as pastor of St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, Warren (1969-77); St. Christopher Parish, Detroit (1977-82); and St. Mary Parish, St. Clair (1982-2001). He was vicar of the Belle River Vicariate from 1990-93. Fr. Ritter currently is a senior priest for the archdiocese.

---

Other Jubilarians

In addition to those listed above, each year The Michigan Catholic also celebrates the jubilees of all priests who have been ordained longer than 60 years. Those priests include:

Msgr. George Browne (61 years)

Msgr. John Hall (61 years)

Fr. Norman Thomas (61 years)

Fr. Daniel Complo (62 years)

Fr. Edward Mitchell (62 years)

Fr. Francis Weingartz (62 years)

Fr. John Blaska (63 years)

Fr. Frederick Bodde (63 years)

Fr. Eugene Strain (63 years)

Fr. Lawrence Fares (66 years)

Msgr. Peter Lentine (66 years)

Fr. Edward Scheuerman (66 years)

Fr. Fabian Slominski (68 years)

Msgr. Thomas Villerot (73 years)