500 gather to honor Msgr. Milewski
Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published August 24, 2007
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Robert Delaney | The Michigan Catholic
Msgr. Stanley Milewski signs his profession of faith upon becoming a protonotary apostolic, as Cardinal Adam Maida acts as witness. |
Orchard Lake Village – More than 500 people filled the Shrine Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake Aug. 15 to see Msgr. Stanley Milewski presented with the papal declaration of his appointment as a protonotary apostolic.
With the appointment, Msgr. Milewski, chancellor emeritus of the Orchard Lake Schools, joins Msgr. James Moloney as the only other current Detroit prelate to have attained the highest of the three ranks of monsignor.
As required of all those who receive the appointment, Msgr. Milewski signed a profession of faith placed on the altar following the homily at the Mass, and then read it aloud in Latin after Cardinal Adam Maida signed as witness.
The document will now be sent to Pope Benedict XVI.
In his homily, Cardinal Maida, while primarily devoting his homily to the theme of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, because of the holy day, also noted that Msgr. Milewski had attended the now-closed Assumption Elementary School on Detroit's west side, "perhaps a providential foreshadowing of today's celebration."
The cardinal noted that Msgr. Milewski was being honored with the appointment because of his service to the Church in Poland, his service to Polonia – the Polish diaspora in the United States and other countries – and his service to the Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland.
And, of course, he cited Msgr. Milewski's decades of service to the Orchard Lake Schools – the parent organization for SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary, St. Mary's Preparatory and the former St. Mary's College – including 23 years as chancellor.
But Cardinal Maida also spoke of the personal friendship between himself and Msgr. Milewski since they became classmates together in the mid-1940s at St. Mary's Prep.
"As we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognize Msgr. Milewski, we affirm that, ultimately, every honor or accomplishment is a gift of God," the cardinal said.
And in his final remarks at the close of the Mass, Cardinal Maida called the protonotary appointment "a great recognition of an outstanding priest of our archdiocese."
"I thank the Lord for this moment. I congratulate and bless you," he said, addressing Msgr. Milewski.
In his own remarks, Msgr. Milewski thanked Cardinal Maida for his friendship and support since their schooldays. And turning to the congregation of friends, family members and well-wishers, he said, his voice choking with emotion, "Each of you have a place in my heart. Each one of you are family to me."
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