St. Perpetua is becoming one of four parishes being formed as a Family of Parishes. St. Perpetua, along with Holy Spirit Parish, Highland, St. Mary Parish, Milford, and St. Patrick Parish, White Lake, will now begin the process of coordinating programs, collaborating in ministry and sharing resources as needed. Working together as the West Oakland Family of Parishes, will enable the four parishes to become more focused on ministry, education and service, while at the same time, strengthening and affirming the charism(s) already at work among the people of God. The Family of Parishes model will enable all of our Families to implement the work of Unleash the Gospel as we move into a new era of grace.

Throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit, the 215 parishes have been organized now into 53 Families of Parishes. Each Family of Parishes will be unique in some aspect, given geographical, ethnic or social development so far. At the same time, each and every Family of Parishes will follow a handbook, if you will, to help formulate goals, priorities and mission of the Family. Plus, each Family of Parishes will have a Moderator to oversee the entire process and be the one responsible for priestly fraternity. In our West Oakland Family of Parishes, Archbishop Vigneron has appointed Fr. Tom Meagher, Pastor of St. Patrick’s, White Lake, to be the Moderator. I know Fr. Tom is ready for the challenge of directing these four parishes to join together in promoting the Gospel of Christ to a new generation and his pastoral skills will ensure that there will be collaboration and communication in each and every department of Education, Evangelization, Christian Service, Sacramental Preparation and RCIA, and Finances.

There is a history in our Family of Parishes of working together in the past. As part of the Lakes Vicariate, regular meetings between all ministers and priests, resulted in shared ideas, collaboration on programs and sharing resources and people. This shared history of collaboration and cooperation, on a smaller but no less significant basis, will enable our Family to move forward with people who trust each other, have worked with each other, and have prayed with each other.

It's a new day in the Church of the Archdiocese of Detroit. It’s an exciting time to renew our commitment to the faith and to see our parishes growing in faith and deepening in their commitment to bring others to Christ. Without a doubt, it is a change in how we do what we do, but it is an important change. We are called to be God’s pilgrim people who move forward with His help and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our Family of Parishes will be renewed in faith, form stronger communities of witness, in order that we may more clearly reflect to others Christ’s healing presence among us. We are the West Oakland Family of Parishes and we are strong, loving and wise when we work together, pray together and serve God together.

Fr. Ron Jozwiak, Administrator

          P.S. for more information about Family of Parishes go the Archdiocesan website:

          https://aod.org and click on the box that says "Family of Parishes"