St. Perpetua Parish is one of four parishes belonging to the West Oakland Family of Parishes. Together with Holy
Spirit Parish of Highland, St. Mary Parish of Milford, and St. Patrick Parish of White Lake, we coordinate programs, collaborate in ministry, and share resources as needed. Working together enables our four parishes to become
more focused on ministry, education, and service, while at the same time strengthening and affirming the charisms 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. 

Why is there a Family of Parishes?
The current health and economic crises have accelerated the process of renewing the way our parishes are organized and structured. With declining parishioners and priest shortage, we now have fewer material resources to keep our mission active. Archbishop Vigneron, in consultation with clergy and lay advisors (Synod16) gathered to discuss and discern the future of the Archdiocese and decide on the steps we need to take to turn us into a diocese of joyful missionary disciples.

The goal of Synod 16 was to make us into missionaries and to change the DNA of the archdiocese of Detroit. To achieve these goals, the focus was on evangelization and moving from a maintenance-focused Church to a mission-focused Church. Synod 16 was a catalyst for Unleash the Gospel.

One of the responses was the creation of Families of Parishes.  These are groups of parishes, sharing resources to advance the mission, including having multiple priests and deacons serving the Family of Parishes. This new model will allow the priests, deacons, religious and lay staff associated with each parish to better share their gifts and talents with the whole Family of Parishes.

What is a Family of Parishes?
A Family of Parishes is a grouping of three or more parishes that collaborate in deeper and more intentional ways than parishes have ever done before. Each parish in a Family will retain its own unique identity, similar to how each sibling has his or her own unique role in the family. This is not a parish cluster or merger as we have done in the past. It is important to note that each parish within a Family will remain solely responsible for its own financial viability. This includes establishing appropriate parish budgets, coordinating parish fundraising, and controlling parish costs. These new Families of Parishes will collaborate by sharing resources, including priests, deacons, and staffs across parish lines to further advance the mission Christ has entrusted to his Church.

While Families of Parishes is fairly new to us, the required commitment to collaboration and cooperation is not. In the past four decades, we have seen parishes coordinating Advent Reconciliation Services, Lenten Missions and Mass schedules. Some of our parishes have shared staff positions, faith formation programs or pastors. In the months and years ahead, new and innovate ways to work together will strengthen the bonds that already exist and will build new bonds everywhere else. For many of our parishes this will be an entirely new process which will require everyone to let go of a status quo mentality and to choose trust over fear. For all of us, this new reality will require a renewal of our confidence in Jesus’ power and his presence among us.

What are the advantages of a Family Parish?
The mission hasn’t changed, but how we approach that mission must shift to allow for better stewardship of our resources. Our collaborative efforts are already bearing fruit, and the shared resources, talents, and time are contributing to the enrichment of each parish within our family. We believe that this unity will not only strengthen our communities but also provide a platform for dynamic ministry and outreach.  Our parish, while retaining its unique identity and individual parish council, is now an integral part of a larger family. This family dynamic will allow us to share resources, talents, and time more effectively, all while remaining firmly rooted in our commitment to sharing the message of Jesus

Conclusion
Like the disciples, we have been asked to unite and go on mission together, enhancing each other’s strengths and working collaboratively to Unleash the Gospel around us. We urge you to embrace the Family of Parishes, and encourage you to feel welcome to attend mass or other activities at Church of the Holy Spirit - Highland, St. Mary, Our Lady of the Snows - Milford, St. Patrick - White Lake.  We encourage you to be an active part of this journey. Your support and involvement play a crucial role in making our shared ministry a success. Thank you for being an essential part of our Family of Parishes. Together, we look forward to the continued blessings and growth that this journey will bring.

For more information about Family of Parishes, visit the Archdiocese Family of Parishes website