Archdiocese Grateful for Basilians 125 Years at Ste Anne de Detroit

The priests from the Congregation of St. Basil this year mark their 125th anniversary of pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Detroit's first and oldest parish, St. Anne de Detroit. After faithfully shepherding the parish for 125 years, the Basilian Fathers informed the archdiocese this year that they will be relinquishing the pastorate as of June 30 when Ste. Anne's current pastor, Fr. Thomas Sepulveda, CSB, retires. The Basilian Fathers, however, will maintain their presence in the Detroit area in the field of education – sponsoring Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi and co-sponsoring Detroit Cristo Rey High School in Southwest Detroit with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron has made the following remarks in regards to the Basilian Fathers' parish ministry at Ste. Anne since 1887:

"The Congregation of St. Basil has made a tremendous contribution to the life of the Church during their storied tenure at St. Anne Parish. On behalf of the parishioners and the entire Archdiocese of Detroit, we commend them for serving one of our most historic parishes. I am grateful that the Basilians will continue to minister in the Archdiocese through the vital role they play in Catholic education."

A special liturgical celebration to mark the 125th anniversary of Basilian leadership at Ste. Anne will take place in the coming months.

Effective July 1, the next pastor of St. Anne Parish will be Fr. Russell Kohler, who also will continue to serve as pastor of the neighboring Most Holy Trinity Parish. Between now and the end of June, Fr. Sepulveda, Fr. Kohler and the leadership of Ste. Anne and Most Holy Trinity parishes will work together on a plan to share Fr. Kohler as their pastor.

Media inquiries: Contact the Archdiocese of Detroit at (313) 237-5943 or Communications Director Ned McGrath at (313) 402-9575 or by e-mailing mcgrath.ned@aod.org. Contact the Congregation of St. Basil by calling Fr. Timothy Scott, CSB, at (416) 998-4004 or e-mailing him at tscott@basilian.org.