Family of Parishes: What is it?
Downriver Missionaries for Christ
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. It is the continuation of the work of the Holy Spirit to move us from maintenance to mission and is our effort to realize the fruit of Synod 16 where the Holy Spirit spoke through the faithful in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
This new model will allow the priests, deacons, and lay staff associated with each parish to better share their gifts and talents with the whole family of parishes.
This is a significant change of the way our parishes are currently structured, but a necessary step in our missionary transformation. Just like the early Church and the missionary activity of the early apostles, the transition to this new structure will require docility to the Holy Spirit, a spirit of collaboration and innovation, and confidence in God who continues to lead us in our mission to unleash the Gospel in southeast Michigan.
We are being invited into a time of greater innovation for our parishes, exploring how they can work together and finding new and uncharted ways to unleash the Gospel.
- Fr. Marc Gawronski - Family Moderator. Parish priest of Sacred Heart, St. Cyprian & St. Joseph
- Fr. Robert Johnson - Parish priest of Our Lady of the Woods & St. Roch
- Fr. Greg Banazak
- Fr. Gary Morelli
Family of Parishes Leadership
The Family of Parishes is led by our Priests in Solidum, the Family Pastoral Council, the Family Finance Team, the Family Leadership Team, and our Directors.

Fr. Marc Gawronski
Moderator

Fr. Bob Johnson
Priest In Solidum