Fr. Cornelius Okeke to Pastor three Catholic Churches in Downriver Area

Fall 2019 marks a new beginning for the Catholic Church in SW Detroit, Ecorse, and Melvindale. Fr Cornelius Okeke of St Andre Bessette in Ecorse has been named Pastor of Ss Andrew & Benedict in SW Detroit and St Mary Magdalene in Melvindale. The process of putting parishes together is called clustering.

To aid Fr Okeke with his three parishes, the diocese has assigned Fr Paul Onyebuchi to be the assistant pastor. Fr John Sullivan will remain in residence at St Mary Magdalene. The combined church congregations remain strong in their commitment to the Downriver communities served. The Perry Outreach Center in SW Detroit is the community service center for the three clustered churches and includes the Lincoln Park parish of Christ the Good Sheppard.

This Fall a welcoming reception was held at Ss Andrew & Benedict to introduce both men to their new communities. Rev. Jack Perkins of SW Church of God, Rev. Arnita Traylor of St John's AME and Wayne County Commissioner Ilona Varga were in attendance.