Very Reverend
Michael A. Woroniewicz: We Gather as a Community
On a
beautiful Fall day, on the calm shores of Orchard Lake, the Very Reverend
Michael A. Woroniewicz, whom the OLS community calls “Fr. Mike,” sits in his
office at SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary ready to share some of his thoughts
on his new role as Rector of the seminary with Good News
readers.
GN:
How do you hope to uphold the mission and vision of Fr. Dabrowski and help
guide the faith of the Orchard Lake Schools community?
Fr.
Mike: It’s good to be here and quite different serving as the seminary
rector than as a parish priest. Mass here is more of a concelebrated community
event rather than being the one priest in a parish. I think the priests on
staff serve as role models and pastors for the seminarians. I hope to be a
mentor to them as well. The Second Vatican Council says that we share in
spreading the Faith. As disciples, we follow Jesus Christ, and we’re sent out to
make more disciples. This is especially true of the seminarians studying for the
priesthood, in the spirit of Saints Cyril and Methodius, our patrons. Pope
Francis said, “We are joyful missionary disciples.” And Archbishop Vigneron
set forth the initiative to “Unleash the Gospel.” I think these inspiring ideas
need to be part of our new direction. In the academic area, I
would hope that I have instilled a love and zeal for preaching in my students.
I have always placed an emphasis on good Liturgy and good preaching--these can
change lives!
GN:
How would you describe your new role as rector?
Fr.
Mike: It’s different being the Rector than it was in my adjunct teaching
capacity. The staff, faculty, and seminarians welcomed me into the seminary
community both then and now. We consult and give feedback to one another. I
believe that the Rector is ultimately responsible, but needs to make decisions
consulting the team. When a priest gets a new assignment, the first year is
often spent listening and reflecting.
GN:
What do you see as your biggest challenges in your new role?
Fr.
Mike: The most pressing need is to find more students. Ultimately, God
calls people. I hope to find ways we can help encourage more students to listen
for God’s call, and take up ministries in the Church. To do it, we should be an
open, inclusive, faith-filled, hospitable family.
GN:
What is your typical day like?
Fr.
Mike: As the rector of a seminary, no two days are exactly alike.
There’s a regular rhythm of Mass, morning and evening prayer, and meals with the
seminary community. Then there are regularly scheduled meetings with faculty
committees and board members. I’m on the phone regularly with diocesan bishops’
offices and vocation directors. I usually teach two courses each semester in
the areas of homiletics and liturgy. Of course, there are the unscheduled
conversations with seminarians and various members of the Orchard Lake Schools
community as well as the administrative paperwork. There
are also meetings outside of the campus with various professional associations
and groups. On occasion, I get to travel away for a conference or an
ordination—and the ordinations of our students are the best part of it all!
GN:
Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?
Fr.
Mike: I was ordained a priest on December 14, 1985. On my
25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, I included this quote from
Pope John Paul II’s Homily in Denver, Colorado on August 15, 1993 on my prayer
card: “Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like
the first Apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the
squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the
Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops.”
GN:
Can you share a little bit about your family?
Fr.
Mike: My dad, Mitchell, lives in Westland and is retired from General
Motors. My mom, Irene, passed away in 1996. I have a younger brother named
Joseph who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and with a large extended family, there
are dozens of cousins all over the country.
Fr. Mike, shared some of his
favorite things with us.
Name:
Prefers “Fr.
Mike”
Quote/Verse:
“Do not be afraid to go out on
the streets
and into public places, like the
first
Apostles who preached Christ and
the Good News
of salvation in the squares of
cities, towns and villages.
This is no time to be ashamed of
the Gospel.
It is the time to preach it from
the rooftops.”
-- Pope John Paul II/Homily in
Denver, CO
August 15,
1993
“No one wanted to be considered
the least.
Then Jesus took a towel and a
basin
and so redefined greatness.”
– R. Foster
Sports
Team:
Detroit Tigers
Food:
Golabki, Pierogi
(sauerkraut)
Travel
Destination:
Maui, Hawaii
Hobbies:
Railroads. Trains.
Traveling, especially by
train.
“I visited all 50 states by time
I was 50.
The last one was South Dakota.”
Music:
Classical
Literature:
Latest books about
Homiletics
Movie:
Ordinary People
Harry Potter
series
Season:
Summer
OLS
Tradition:
Wigilia
