Welcoming Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, for pastoral visit to Detroit
Archbishop Weisenburger and a delegation from the Archdiocese of Detroit welcomed Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to Detroit for a four-day pastoral visit Dec. 4-7. Cardinal Pizzaballa's visit to southeast Michigan, which included several events and liturgies, strengthened the spiritual and cultural bonds between Catholics and offered solidarity and support to Christian families in the Holy Land.
Cardinal Pizzaballa celebrated Mass on Thursday, Dec. 4, at St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church in West Bloomfield, followed by a dinner in support of Christians in the Holy Land at the Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield.
On Friday, Dec. 5, the patriarch was the featured guest at the "United in Faith: Bridging Hearts from the Motor City to the Holy Land" dinner at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, where the cardinal shared firsthand insights regarding the dire situation and enduring hopes of the Church in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, Cardinal Pizzaballa celebrated Mass along with Archbishop Weisenburger at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak.
Meeting with major superiors of Detroit-area religious orders
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Archbishop Weisenburger spent the morning at Sacred Heart Major Seminary meeting and consulting with the major superiors of various religious orders and institutes present in the Archdiocese of Detroit. The meeting is a regular opportunity for fellowship, collaboration and faith-filled dialogue about the many ways religious life is expressed and lived in southeast Michigan.
Presenting papal honors on behalf of the Church
Archbishop Weisenburger presented Thomas Van Dusen with a medal and formal proclamation of a papal award honoring him as a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester in recognition of his years of faithful service to the Church in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Van Dusen is one of eight local individuals who were given papal honors by the late Pope Francis after being recommended by Archbishop-emeritus Allen H. Vigneron prior to the archbishop's retirement in March. The individuals were honored during a ceremony with Archbishop Weisenburger and Archbishop-emeritus Vigneron at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in September.
Celebrating confirmations at St. Joseph Parish in South Lyon
Last Sunday, Archbishop Weisenburger presided over confirmations with young people at St. Joseph Parish in South Lyon, conferring the sacrament and reminding students of God's great gift of holiness and grace. Come, Holy Spirit!
In Rome to attend meetings, visit with Detroit priests
Archbishop Weisenburger was in Rome the week of Nov. 1-6 for a very quick trip to meet with various departments in the Vatican. He was accompanied by Fr. Mario Amore, and reported that meetings went great. While in Rome, Archbishop Weisenburger and Fr. Amore met with Detroit priests currently living or studying in the Eternal City, including Fr. David Pellican and Msgr. Robert Sable.
While in Rome, Archbishop Weisenburger and Fr. Amore met with Msgr. Sable, a retired member of the Roman Rota and priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit. "We had a wonderful visit and lunch together," Archbishop Weisenburger said.
Fr. David Pellican, doing doctoral studies in Rome, interrupted his pasta to extend greetings to family and friends back in Detroit.
Archbishop Weisenburger and Fr. Amore were joined by Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat of the Southfield-based Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle for dinner as well. Bishop Kalabat, after meetings in Rome, was just about to head off to Iraq.
Neighborhood Halloween candy giveaway at Sacred Heart Major Seminary
On Friday, Oct. 31, Archbishop Weisenburger helped seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary distribute Halloween candy to hundreds of joy-filled families and kids in the neighborhood. Seminarians collected 229 tubs filled with 50 pounds of candy each — largely donated by Catholic parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit. “This is one of the greatest things the seminary does for the neighborhood every year,” the archbishop said. “Children line up an hour before we open and are lined up around the block.”
Blessing and rededicating the Cabrini Clinic on its 75th anniversary
Archbishop Weisenburger extends his hands in blessing over the staff and grounds of the Cabrini Clinic in Detroit as Fr. Adam Nowak assists. Next to the archbishop is the clinic's executive director, Elisa Martinez-Alvarez.
On Monday, Oct. 27, Archbishop Weisenburger blessed the newly rededicated Cabrini Clinic on the campus of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Corktown. The Cabrini Clinic was founded 75 years ago by Most Holy Trinity pastor Msgr. Clement Kern to provide free medical care to the poor and vulnerable in time before Medicare or Medicaid was established. Today, with administrative assistance from Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, and under the leadership of its new director, Elisa Alvarez, the Cabrini Clinic provides free medical and mental care to the area’s uninsured and underinsured, as well as the homeless and immigrant communities.
Archbishop Weisenburger is pictured with Cabrini Clinic executive director Elisa Alvarez, left, and Dr. Karl Kolbe, the clinic's volunteer medical director.
Visiting with students and teachers at Most Holy Trinity School in Detroit
On Monday, Oct. 27, Archbishop Weisenburger visited with teachers and students at Most Holy Trinity School in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, dropping by to offer words of encouragement the same day he blessed the nearby Cabrini Clinic. In each of the classrooms he visited, Archbishop Weisenburger took a few moments to chat with students, answer questions and take pictures with students and teachers.
Celebrating deacon jubilarians for their vocation and service to the Church
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, left, is pictured with Deacon Timothy Pilon and his wife, Claudette Pilon, and Colleen Misiak and her husband, Deacon Ric Misiak, during a celebration for permanent deacon jubilarians Oct. 26 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Deacon Pilon and Deacon Misiak are both celebrating 35 years as deacons as part of the 2025 class of deacon jubilarians.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, Archbishop Weisenburger celebrated Mass honoring 23 permanent deacons of the Archdiocese of Detroit marking jubilees of service in their vocations. The celebration included a banquet that followed at Sacred Heart Major Seminary honoring deacons marking anniversaries in increments of five years, including five deacons marking 45 years of service. Combined, this year's diaconate jubilee class is marking 635 combined years in ministry.
Deacon John Fitzmaurice, celebrating 10 years
Deacon Thomas Leonard, celebrating 10 years
Deacon Phillip McCown, celebrating 10 years
Deacon Michael Chesley, celebrating 20 years
Deacon James Berch, celebrating 25 years
Deacon Richard Bloomfield, celebrating 25 years
Deacon Stephen Marks, celebrating 25 years
Deacon Hubert Sanders, celebrating 25 years
Deacon Gerald Smigell, celebrating 25 years
Deacon Timothy Pilon, celebrating 35 years
Deacon Michael McKale, celebrating 40 years
Deacon Raymond Kunik, celebrating 45 years
Deacon Mark Springer, celebrating 45 years
Deacon Robert Tremmel, celebrating 45 years
Deacon Robert Tremmel (45 years) and his wife, Roberta Tremmel
Deacon Michael Chesley (20 years) and his daughter, Rachel Chesley
Deacon Alek Stanaj and his son, Henry Stanaj
Michele McLeod and her husband, Deacon Ed McLeod
Paula Springer and her husband, Deacon Mark Springer (45 years)
Supporting the Capuchin Soup Kitchen during annual SOCK dinner fundraiser
The annual SOCK (Support Our Capuchin Kitchen) fundraiser helps raise money for Detroit's Capuchin Soup Kitchen, which feeds thousands of hungry Detroiters each year. In 2024, the soup kitchen served 236,787 meals, an increase of nearly 20 percent over the prior year.
On Friday, Oct. 24, Archbishop Weisenburger attended the 53rd Annual SOCK (Support Our Capuchin Kitchen) Dinner gala fundraiser, hosted by the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph, at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. The annual fundraiser — presented this year by Weingartz — raises support and funding for Detroit's Capuchin Soup Kitchen, which serves approximately 1,000 meals every day to hungry individuals and provides additional services for Detroiters living in poverty.
Archbishop Weisenburger is pictured with Bro. Gary Wegner, OFM Cap., executive director of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
100th anniversary celebration at St. John Paul II Parish in Detroit
On Sunday, Oct. 19, Archbishop Weisenburger joined longtime parishioners and clergy at St. John Paul II Parish in Detroit to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the parish's Transfiguration Church building. The centennial celebration included a morning Mass complemented by a Polish dance troupe, a pierogi lunch reception and a sit-down dinner later in the day at the Century Banquet Center in Sterling Heights. The traditionally Polish community welcomed the archbishop with warm smiles, good conversation and a "marvelous Polish meal."
Archbishop Weisenburger and fellow clergy take a group picture along with sacristans and Mass servers before the centennial Mass begins.
Archbishop Weisenburger wears a homemade pierogi lapel, made for him by parishioners of St. John Paul II Parish in Detroit. The parish is near the border with Hamtramck, a traditionally Polish enclave.
Archbishop Weisenburger was impressed with the "incredible" grotto outside the church. "Worth a visit!" he said.
Archbishop Weisenburger attends a Polish lunch served following St. John Paul II's centennial Mass.
Archbishop Weisenburger takes a "selfie" with Candice Betke, sacristan at St. John Paul II Parish, before Mass.
Celebrating the 80th anniversary of Mercy High School in Farmington Hills
On Saturday, Oct. 18, Archbishop Weisenburger joined the Sisters of Mercy along with students, staff, administrators and families at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills to celebrate the school's 80th anniversary of educational service to the community. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, the all-girls high school educates and empowers young women to grow, learn and explore in a thoughtful and faith-focused environment.
