Archdiocesan Restructuring
Questions ?
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this topic, please do not hesitate to reach out to the following people. They are more than willing to provide additional information or answer any inquiries that you might have.
Archdiocesan Restructuring Church of Transfiguration
Key Leaders
Mary Stone
Marie Dobson
Starla Tyler
Cora Lim
Br. Al Mascia
Primary Contact Point
Claudia Frias
A letter for our parishoners
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you know, the Archdiocese of Detroit has entered into a process of Archdiocesan Restructuring. I would like to take this opportunity to share some important updates with you—what has been accomplished so far, and what lies ahead.
We began this process in November by reflecting on the reasons restructuring is necessary. Declining Mass attendance across the archdiocese, fewer priests available for active ministry, financial strains caused in part by lower offertory contributions, and demographic shifts have all impacted our ability to sustain the care and maintenance of more than 200 church buildings.
In January, over 170 priests from across the archdiocese gathered for several days of prayer, discernment, and strategic discussion to develop the first round of restructuring models. Each model includes potential groupings of parishes within a particular geographic area. These groupings—called pastorates—may consist of one or more canonical parishes, or they may include parishes that merge into one parish while maintaining one or more church buildings.
This spring, every parish will host two listening sessions where the first draft of pastorate models will be presented. Our parish listening sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 & Thursday, May 28 7:00pm to 9:00pm at our Parish Hall (Church of Transfiguration 25225 Code Rd, Southfield MI 48033)
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You may RSVP for one of these sessions at restructuring.aod.org. These sessions will give you the opportunity to review the models developed by our priests and to share your feedback on the proposed pastorates. After feedback is gathered from every parish, many of the models may be revised. Ultimately, Archbishop Weisenburger will prayerfully discern the refined models before determining the future structure of the Archdiocese, which will take effect beginning in July 2027.
Every parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit will undergo some degree of change as a result of this process. As you consider these changes, I encourage you to view them as opportunities to re-envision how we minister to the people we serve. Given the upcoming structural shifts and the decreasing number of priests assigned to each pastorate, many parishes will experience adjustments to their Mass schedules. In some cases, this will mean a reduction in the number of Masses offered at a particular location. These changes will help ensure that priests have adequate time to travel between sites and remain available and present to their parish communities.
Changes in Mass times, while challenging, will also present opportunities to welcome new faces, strengthen ministries, and collaborate more intentionally within our pastorate. Parish staff members may see shifts in responsibilities as new teams are formed, but they will also gain opportunities to work together in creative and innovative ways across parish boundaries.
I know that the thought of change can be difficult, especially when it touches our spiritual homes, our priests, and the community members we hold dear. Yet I want to assure you that through every change and challenge, God is with us. He is inviting us to lay down our own desires and fears so that we can receive new and hopeful opportunities to renew the Church here in southeastern Michigan. Let us come to these sessions not ready to fight, argue, or insist that we are exempt from change. Instead, let us come with docility to the Holy Spirit—with open hearts and open hands—ready to receive what the Lord desires to give, ready to serve in whatever ways we are called, and always entrusting this important work to the Holy Spirit.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Scheeler, OFM
How should I prepare for my parish listening session?
First, pray: The most important thing we can all be doing as we approach this time of listening in our parishes, is to pray.
Next, read your Parish Workbook: Parish Workbooks will be posted to the Restructuring website beginning March 4, 2026.
Finally, reflect: Take time to name your feelings and take these feelings to prayer, and ask the Lord to open your heart to be receptive to where he is leading your parish and the entire Archdiocese of Detroit, so you can commit to arriving at your parish listening session in a spirit of Docility to the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER FOR ARCHDIOCESAN RESTRUCTURING
Come, Holy Spirit.
Make your presence known as we restructure the parishes and ministries
of our archdiocese.
Be our light on the path we walk together.
Help us hear your voice in the quiet of our own hearts,
in the wisdom of others and in the world around us.
We know you are with us in every step of the process.
Give us clarity, understanding, and direction.
In all things, help us share the light of your love. Amen.
Ste. Anne, pray for us.
Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
