St. Regis (Bloomfield Hills)

St. Regis Parish began as a mission of Holy Name Parish in 1959 under the direction of Msgr. Eugene E. Paddock. The parish was established on June 19, 1962, by Cardinal Dearden and named after his patron saint – St. John Francis Regis. Fr. Thomas Shields was founding pastor and he led construction efforts of the rectory (finished in 1963), convent (1964), church (1968), activities center (gym and cafeteria – 1969). Fr. Shields resigned on October 22, 1978 due to illness.

Construction of the current church during the 1960s - Source

Fr. Daniel Murphy succeeded as pastor and led the parish until his retirement two decades later. He led many outreach activities such a Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference. The parish adopted a refugee family from Cambodia in 1981 and they converted to Catholicism three years later. 

The sanctuary of the church, as it appeared before recent renovations. - Source

In 1999, Adam Cardinal Maida appointed Fr. Norman Nawrocki as pastor. He expanded the parish's outreach with a school and hospital in Cameroon and provided supplies to a mission in Ghana. Fr. Nawrocki also led a long-term planning process that included refurbishment of the church, a chapel, new parish offices, a social hall and an addition to the parish school.

A view from the altar before the renovations

In 2011,  Archbishop Allen Vigneron appointed Msgr. Charles Kosanke as pastor. He led more long-term planning and oversaw renovation of the church building, which was completed in June of 2015. A year later, Fr. David Buersmeyer began his current term as pastor.

The sanctuary and altar were remodeled to a large crucifix and traditional niches of
the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph

A chapel, connected to the church, was completed in December of 2016 and soon blessed by Archbishop Vigneron.

Archbishop Vigneron celebrated the first Mass in the chapel.
Far left: current pastor, Fr. David Buersmeyer. Far right: former pastor, Msgr. Kosanke

Pews and stained-glass windows were transferred from the former St. John Cantius Church to the chapel at St. Regis.

Daily Mass is celebrated in the chapel at 6:30am, Tuesday–Thursday, and Mondays at 6:45pm. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and adored here Monday–Friday, 12:30pm–6:30pm, with extended hours on Tuesday evenings until 8:30pm.

Female saints are pictured on the left side (Blessed Virgin side) of the chapel while male saints are hown on the right side (St. Joseph side).

 

Stations of the Cross line the back wall of the nave.

 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus stands on one end of the church.

The parish patron stands in the vestibule between the church and chapel; a large crucifix hangs in front of the chapel entrance.

 

Daily Mass is in the main church at 8:30am on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, preceded by Morning Prayer and followed with the Rosary. Saturday Vigil Mass is 4:30pm, preceded by Reconciliation at 3:00pm. Sunday Masses are at 8am, 10am, and Noon.

 

For more info: parish website