No Second Tunic

February 6, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

From the moment God called Abraham to leave behind his homeland and journey to a place He would reveal (Gn 12:1), the people of God have been called to leave behind the security of what is familiar and to follow Him into a future of His design. This call echoes throughout salvation history. Whether this message was communicated by a prophet’s voice, the visitation of an angel, or the Word Himself, the call has remained the same: to trust and follow. Jesus echoed this call when he commissioned the Twelve, instructing them not to be encumbered by the baggage of a “second tunic”:

“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick” (Mt 10:7-10).

Throughout history, the Church has continually responded to societal changes with apostolic boldness and faithfulness, leaving behind the “second tunic” — anything that did not directly serve the mission — and adapting her methods without compromising her timeless message. Like Abraham, we are people of faith, called to journey forward, guided by God’s grace, into the “new land” of mission and evangelization.

A discerning “read” of salvation history reveals two significant eras: the Apostolic Age and the Christendom Age.

The Apostolic Age

From her very foundation in the mission of the Apostles, the Church was rooted both in the life of the people of Israel and in a culture dominated by the Romans and their pagan gods.

During her earliest centuries, the Church had minimal formal structures, was often persecuted, and grew primarily through the courageous witness of the faithful—especially the martyrs. Though she faced external hostility, the Church thrived through her focus on mission, boldness, and fidelity to Christ.

The Christendom Age

By the fourth century, Christianity started on a path of becoming a dominant cultural force, shaping societal norms, institutions, and worldviews. While not every individual embraced the faith deeply, Christian truths were on the way to undergirding the social order, enabling the Church to grow in influence.

A New Apostolic Age

Today, we face a cultural landscape that, in many ways, more closely resembles the Apostolic Age than Christendom. As Pope Francis reminds us:

“I dream of a ‘missionary option,’ that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation” (Evangelii Gaudium).

While our times are markedly different from those of the first Christians, we share with them this significant reality: we, too, face the need to adapt creatively with fewer financial and human resources.

Parish life in the Archdiocese of Detroit has rapidly changed over the last several decades, with fewer people in the pews, a declining number of priests, and a surplus of aging church buildings without the financial resources to properly care for them. In response to this reality, our parishes must decrease their physical footprint while expanding their spiritual presence. We are called to proclaim Christ crucified, celebrate the sacraments, and serve as witnesses of God’s enduring love—just as our ancestors did—with renewed focus and methods.

In 2020, building on the fruits of Synod ‘16, the Archdiocese of Detroit began this process of renewal and leaving behind our “second tunic.” Through the establishment of Families of Parishes, we improved our ability to align our resources and energies, allowing clergy and lay staff to share their gifts more effectively. We began a transition from a model focused on maintaining aging buildings and an unsustainable number of liturgies to one centered on unleashing the Gospel.

This focus on missionary conversion—and our adoption of Families of Parishes—is a living reality, not a box to check and discard. As we give thanks to God for the progress we have made, we also remain focused on what is next in our effort to renew our structures so that they are Spirit-led and radically oriented toward mission for generations to come.

Mission-Ready Families of Parishes

To provide clarity on our current circumstances and next steps, the appendix to this pastoral note offers key data points that illuminate both the challenges we face and the pressing need to continue aligning our resources within the broader Families of Parishes framework. Our attention to renewal is twofold: on the health of our priests and the health of our parish communities, both of which are essential to ensuring that our efforts are not simply sustained but are fully focused on advancing our mission to proclaim the Gospel and build up God’s Kingdom.

Flourishing priests:
As we reflect on renewal, I am aware of my essential duty to provide for the pastoral care of the priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit. True renewal and fulfillment of the Church’s mission is impossible without them. We are nearing a time when our local Church will have fewer priests than parishes, which places extra burdens on the priests caring for these communities. It is essential that all of us—clergy, religious, and laity—unite in support so that our priests are healthy and thriving and able, therefore, to lead healthy and thriving parishes in fulfillment of the mission of saving souls for which they were ordained.
Flourishing parish communities:
In aligning our resources for mission and taking care to support our priests in their ministry, we will also continue to build up parish communities that are fully alive and growing, with a clear sense of their mission to form new ‘joy-filled’ disciples of Jesus Christ. These parish communities prioritize a culture and vibrancy that attracts the disaffiliated, youth, and young adults, while continuing to equip established parishioners with the joy of the Gospel. They are open to new expressions of parish life, discerning whenever appropriate that it is time to prioritize the Apostolic work of the Church—the parish’s ministry in the community—over efforts to sustain aging church buildings. When resources are correctly aligned, staff and lay-faithful are better able to meet the many needs of a parish community in Word, Sacrament, and Service.

Department of Parish Renewal

The task of renewal and alignment within Families of Parishes requires discernment, collaboration, and courageous leadership. To assist in this important work, the Archdiocese of Detroit has established the Department of Parish Renewal to guide us through this season of change with clarity and purpose, always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Department of Parish Renewal will serve as a dedicated resource to support our parishes and Families of Parishes in keeping their structures aligned with the mission.

We also heard “the Holy Spirit say to our local Church through Synod 16 that Catholic Schools are an apostolate that is the responsibility of all parishes and all Christ’s faithful. This conviction needs to be a foundational principle for the renewal of this ministry” (Unleash the Gospel, 3.3C). Schools are a center of discipleship, so the way in which each Family of Parishes serves its school communities is an essential planning component.

This missionary department will focus on four key areas: communication, facilitating, accompanying, and implementing the vision of mission alignment.

Communicate
For Families of Parishes to be mission-ready, they must effectively define their challenges and prayerfully discern how to meet these challenges collaboratively. The Department of Parish Renewal will be a listening office, ensuring transparency by helping to direct all communications between Archdiocesan staff and Families of Parishes related to this renewal effort. These communications will address the necessity of the mission-alignment process, provide clear metrics, and a timeline, making use of printed materials, digital resources, and on-site consultations.
Facilitate
The Department of Parish Renewal will work closely with clergy, pastoral staff, Family Pastoral Councils, and Family Finance Teams to implement our realignment missionary efforts. Conversations with parish leadership will be founded in honest and spirit-led discernment about a future with fewer priests and, often, fewer people. Facilitation of this conversation and discernment will include one-on-one consultations, group sessions, and collaborative discussions tailored to the unique needs of each Family of Parishes.
Accompany
Understanding that change often brings challenges, the Department of Parish Renewal will lead the Archdiocese’s efforts to accompany our clergy and faithful through this journey. The team will remain attentive to the emotional and spiritual impact of these transitions, including any parish community mergers or church building closures, by offering guidance and support to help parish communities grieve, begin to heal, and embrace this opportunity to make God’s presence more visible and active in their midst.
Implement
Implementation will be carried out with great care, ensuring that all steps have been thoughtfully communicated and facilitated. The goal is to create an environment where these changes can take root effectively, fostering growth in faith and mission. The team will be attentive to the urgent need for change within our present alignment and number of parishes and clergy. The Department of Parish Renewal will remain steadfast in its commitment to guide and support parish communities and Families of Parishes throughout this process.

Timeline for Mission-Alignment

Drawing from the experiences of other dioceses that have undergone similar transformations, the Department of Parish Renewal will engage in this work region by region over the next few years. This estimated timeline allows for a thoughtful and collaborative process:

Central Region: March to June 2025 (a shorter timeline than our other regions due to the efforts already underway here)
South Region: July to December 2025
Northwest Region: January to June 2026
Northeast Region: April to September 2026

The Families of Parishes model will continue to serve as the structure for this alignment. Based on our current data and projections, a reduction in parochial footprints is necessary, as each Family of Parishes, with assistance from the Department of Parish Renewal, discerns how best to leverage its resources for the mission going forward. It is also possible that some Family groupings and clergy assignments may change as a result of the Mission-Ready process. While many of these changes will occur organically, all will require discernment, leadership, and the wise boldness that only the Holy Spirit can provide.

At the heart of our current efforts is the foundational conviction of Synod ’16: The Archdiocese of Detroit is called to “obey the Holy Spirit and be made by Him into a band of joyful missionary disciples” (Unleash the Gospel, 2). Pope Francis challenges us to embrace a “‘missionary conversion,’ a change in our culture, such that every person at every level of the Church, through personal encounter with Jesus Christ, embraces his/her identity as a son or daughter of God and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, is formed and sent forth as a missionary disciple” (Unleash the Gospel, 2).

Moving Forward with Hope

As we move forward in this process, we draw strength from the assurance that God is with us. This work is not merely organizational, but deeply spiritual—an opportunity to renew our trust in the Holy Spirit, as the Apostles experienced on Pentecost when the Twelve were filled with the fire and courage of the Holy Spirit to leave the upper room and share the Good News. Together, let us embrace this moment as a time to grow in faith, hope, and love, confident that God is leading us into a future full of promise and grace. Although some of the outward appearances of parish life will evolve—as they have done throughout the history of the Church—the essential elements of parish life will remain the same: We will continue to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, celebrate the Sacraments of Healing and Initiation, nurture our shared call to holiness—especially by supporting vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and marriage—help our children in Catholic schools and religious education to flourish and know Jesus, engage those on the margins, and foster a loving community rooted in the faith that once sustained our ancestors and now sustains us.

In the words of Pope Francis during his 2013 pastoral visit to Assisi: “We are not alone; we do not walk alone. We are part of the one flock of Christ that walks together.”

To our priests: With me, you are shepherds entrusted with a holy and noble mission. Like the Apostles, you are called to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, trusting not in earthly resources but in the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to renew our support for one another and draw strength from the fraternity we share in the priesthood. Be assured that the Lord walks with you and will provide all you need to fulfill your mission. This work I am sharing with you today will bring its own challenges, but I am confident that the grace each of us received at our ordination, our share of that same Spirit that came upon the Apostles at Pentecost, will sustain us in the months ahead. Let us lean on that grace, seek the intercession, consolation, and protection of Our Blessed Mother, Queen of the Apostles, and not forget our own fraternal bonds as we mutually support one another through what lies ahead. As the Master said, “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16: 33).

To the faithful of the Archdiocese: Together, we form the body of Christ, are animated by the Spirit, and have been sent forth to proclaim His love to the world. Our call is clear: We must trust in God’s providence, remain steadfast in prayer, and embrace the opportunities to share the Good News of Christ’s message and mission in new and powerful ways.

Let us embody the resilience captured in Detroit’s motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus, “We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.” We are a people of hope, guided by the Spirit who renews all things. The Holy Spirit has been sent to us by the Father and the Son to lead and sustain us. We trust that He will guide us, as He has throughout salvation history, into the fruitful future God has prepared for His Church.

Let us go forward together, with courage and faith, into this New Apostolic Age. Christ is risen. He is with us still. We have nothing to fear.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening?

In 2020, building on the fruits of Synod 16, the Archdiocese of Detroit began an ongoing process of renewal through the establishment of Families of Parishes. With this pastoral note, Archbishop Vigneron calls on all parish communities to adapt to the Families of Parishes framework and to work with the Archdiocese of Detroit to create “Mission-Ready Parishes.” Each Family of Parishes will participate in a collaborative process to carefully and honestly review their existing resources and together discern their most effective use. For some Families, this process may result in mergers, reorganization, or closures. For all Families, this process will allow their communities to emerge better equipped to unleash the Gospel for generations to come.

Why are we doing this now?

This is not the beginning of a new process, but the continuation of the renewal sparked by our transition to Families of Parishes in 2020. The reasons for our adoption of Families of Parishes remain true today: fewer priests to care for our parishes, declining Mass attendance, and a surplus of aging church buildings that require more financial resources than we have. The appendix to this pastoral note offers key data points that illuminate these and other challenges we face and the pressing need to continue aligning our resources within the broader Families of Parishes framework.

We no longer have the luxury of ignoring these realities and finding “band-aid” solutions for them is a disservice to the souls entrusted to our care. It is only through an intentional, thoughtful and collaborative process of discernment that we can ensure the long-term health of our clergy and of our parishes, better equipping them to proclaim the Gospel and build up the kingdom of God for generations to come.

What is a “Mission-Ready Parish”?

Mission-Ready Parishes have an abundance of financial and human resources to carry out their God-given mission of saving souls. They are led by teams of priests who are healthy and thriving—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and ready to carry out the mission for which they were ordained. These parish communities are fully alive and growing, with a clear sense of mission to form joyful disciples. They prioritize a culture that is vibrant and attracts the disaffiliated, youth, young adults and marginalized, while continuing to equip current parishioners with the joy of the Gospel. They are focused on the Apostolic work of the Church—in Word, Sacrament, and Service—over efforts to sustain aging church buildings.

How will this process work?

Team members from the Archdiocese’s new Department of Parish Renewal will meet with the clergy, Family Pastoral Councils, Family Finance Teams, and Mission Direct and Mission Support staff of each Family of Parishes to discuss their unique situation and examine the quantitative and qualitative data of each parish. Through a thoughtful, careful, and prayerful process of discernment facilitated by the Department of Parish Renewal, and guided by metrics established by the Archdiocese, Family of Parishes leaders will mutually discern with the Parish Renewal personnel the best path forward for their communities.

Once a team of priests has arrived at a recommendation or set of recommendations, they will submit them to Archbishop Vigneron for his review.

If the recommendation involves merging any parish communities or the closing of church buildings or worship sites, Archbishop Vigneron will consult with the Presbyteral Council before making a final decision.

Importantly, our collective work will be done prayerfully, in accordance with Archbishop Vigneron’s guidance in Unleash the Gospel: “Prayer and intercession are indispensable components of the new evangelization, since God the Holy Spirit is the principal agent for unleashing the Gospel. Prayer is the way we access the unlimited divine power of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. The main reason Synod 16 was itself an experience of a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit was that it was preceded by a whole year of fervent prayer” (Guidepost 10).

What is the timeline for this process?

This effort will take place over a two-year period, moving from region to region across the Archdiocese of Detroit

Central Region: March to June 2025
South Region: July to December 2025
Northwest Region: January to June 2026
Northeast Region: April to September 2026

Preliminary work has been underway in the Central Region since summer 2024.

The Central Region is comprised of the Cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. The South Region is comprised of Wayne County west of the City of Detroit and Monroe County. The Northwest Region is comprised of Oakland and Lapeer Counties. The Northeast Region is comprised of Macomb and St. Clair Counties and the Grosse Pointe communities.

Will my parish or church building close?

At this time, we do not know which (or how many) parish communities or church buildings will close. We do know that we can no longer ignore the realities of declining Mass attendance, fewer priests to care for our parish communities, and a surplus of aging church buildings that require more financial resources than we have available. We anticipate that across the Archdiocese, decreasing our physical footprint will provide our Families of Parishes with the resources necessary to expand our spiritual presence—but how this looks within each Family of Parishes is yet to be determined. At the core of this process is our commitment to ensuring the health of our priests and the health of our parish communities.

How will decisions be made?

Much of the discernment and decision-making will be informed by a thorough study of the data unique to each parish, including but not limited to parish demographics, age/availability of clergy, health/age of buildings, etc. Staff from the Office of Parish Renewal will guide and assist clergy and parish leaders to compare this data in light of metrics established by the Archdiocese of Detroit, informed by similar processes that have taken place in other arch/dioceses and illustrating the minimum resources a Family of Parishes needs in order to be radically oriented towards fulfilling the Great Commission. These conversations will be conducted in the spirit of prayer, charity, and objectivity, with the goal of identifying a realistic path forward that ensures centrality of mission for every Family of Parishes.

Is this process purely data-driven?

No. It is, however, data informed. While data is important because it provides an objective way to examine important aspects of parish life, it does not and cannot tell the whole story. Instead, the Department of Parish Renewal, priests, staff, and key volunteers at each Family of Parishes will consider financial, sacramental, and demographic statistics as well as other qualitative measures of parish life as they discern how to best utilize, change, or adapt its limited resources.

Is this process a “top-down” or “bottom-up” approach?

Neither. This is not “top-down,” in which decisions are imposed by the Archdiocese of Detroit. It is also not exclusively “bottom-up,” in which parishes may choose to avoid addressing the challenges we face across southeast Michigan. Instead, it is a hybrid approach of collaboration and partnership that will lead to more sustainable, realistic, and successful outcomes for our Families of Parishes and the Archdiocese as a whole.

If a decision is made to close a church building, what will happen next?

Should a Family of Parishes determine that they need to merge parish communities and/or close a church building, and if the Archbishop of Detroit accepts that recommendation, Archdiocesan staff will work with the priests assigned to that Family of Parishes to develop a timeline for closure, ensuring it is conducted in a manner respectful of the parishioners and honoring to the history and legacy of the parish community, as well as follow proper Canonical procedures.

How will Catholic schools be involved in this process?

At Synod 16, we heard that Catholic schools are “an apostolate that is the responsibility of all parishes and Christ’s faithful. This conviction needs to be a foundational principle for the renewal of this ministry” (Unleash the Gospel, Action Step 3.3C).

Schools are centers of discipleship, and this planning process will ensure that each Family of Parishes honors, respects, and supports the vital contributions of our Catholic schools to the life of our local Church.

How will priests be involved in this process?

This process requires the support, input, and participation of the team of priests responsible for each Family of Parishes. While the work will be facilitated by staff from the Department of Parish Renewal, it is the team of priests that will discern final decisions about the best path forward for their communities, in consultation with parish staff, community members, and the Archdiocese of Detroit. When required by Church law, they will submit their recommendations to the Archbishop of Detroit for his review and discernment.

How will parish staff be involved in this process?

In Apostolicam actuositatem, the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, promulgated by Pope Paul VI as part of the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Father tells us that “the laity should accustom themselves to working in the parish in union with their priests” and that “as far as possible the laity ought to provide helpful collaboration for every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by their local parish.”

Our pastoral planning process will respect the vital role of the laity and the unique contributions of parish staff to the life of their communities and our local Church. While the priests assigned to each Family of Parishes bear primary responsibility for the care of souls, they cannot fulfill their mission without the support and cooperation of lay staff and volunteers. To be successful, this pastoral planning process will require input from staff, volunteers, the Family Pastoral Council, and Family Finance Team.

How will parishioners and the laity be involved in this process?

Parishioners from each parish will have the opportunity to attend presentations of the data and provide feedback on the information received. Many parishioners will also serve as members of committees formed to help process the data informing the parish’s discernment process. Any and all input will be welcomed for consideration.

Has the Archdiocese of Detroit considered inviting more priests from religious orders and other dioceses to stem the shortage of priests locally?

Since the founding of the Diocese of Detroit in 1833, priests from religious orders and other dioceses have made significant contributions to the life of our local Church, and we have every reason to expect that they will continue to do so long into the future. Currently, 25 percent of all the priests serving in the Archdiocese of Detroit are from religious orders and other dioceses worldwide. While we are blessed to have many priests from around the world serving in southeast Michigan, it is important to note that the number of religious order priests are shrinking at a faster rate than are our Archdiocesan priests. Their home communities have their own missions, and we must be respectful of their needs—particularly in those areas of the world where the number of Catholics per priest is much higher than it is here in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

It is also important to note that the shortage of priests is just one of several motivating factors for this renewal, in addition to declining Mass attendance and a surplus of aging church buildings that require increasing financial resources to care for them, neither of which is addressed by inviting more priests into the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Can the Archdiocese of Detroit raise money to better support our parishes and schools?

Just as our current reality cannot fully be addressed by inviting additional priests, it also cannot be solved through solely financial solutions. Having sufficient monetary resources is important—the Church has real-world expenses just like any other organization, family, or individual—but we also have human resources that require our care. We must ensure our priests are healthy and flourishing, our lay staff and volunteers are well-equipped for their roles, our parishes are vibrant, alive, and welcoming to newcomers, we are attentive to the shifting population and demographic needs of our communities, and we are properly focused on our mission—not on maintenance. A holistic means of addressing our changing realities is one focused on each of these aspects, not just one or two.

Have other dioceses engaged in a process like this?

Yes. Just as our initial transition to Families of Parishes was informed by lessons learned in dioceses undergoing similar processes, our current process is being informed by similar experiences in arch/dioceses such as Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Trenton, and Seattle.

How can I help?

As Archbishop Vigneron writes in No Second Tunic: A Plan for Mission-Ready Families of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit, we must “trust in God’s providence, remain steadfast in prayer, and embrace opportunities to share the Good News of Christ’s message in new and powerful ways.” One way to “remain steadfast in prayer” is contacting your priest and volunteering to serve on your Family of Parish’s Intercessory Prayer Team. If we remain open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and trust that God will be our sure and steady guide into the future, as He has done throughout salvation history, we will be well-prepared to carry out the mission to which He has called us.

What is a tunic and why should I not have two?

The tunic was a simple garment composed of two rectangular pieces of cloth sewn together at the shoulders and sides to make a loose robe, leaving openings for the head and arms. Taking two would ensure sufficient warmth at night (relying on themselves), but Jesus intends for them to stay in homes (relying on others). This apostolic style of missioning is what the Holy Spirit is calling us to now. We should see that some of the parish buildings we used as our home base will not always be available to us, and so the only way to stay warm, the only way to accomplish the mission, is to go out and meet people in buildings and places away from our own comfort.