Msgr. Lajiness, who has served as Sacred Heart’s dean of studies since 2003 and is a weekend assistant at Holy Family Parish in Novi, will succeed Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton as rector effective May 5. Msgr. Monforton will become pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Rochester.
Archbishop Vigneron cited Msgr. Lajiness’ “talents, skills and priestly virtues” as reasons for his appointment.
“Building upon the notable achievements of his predecessor, Msgr. Monforton, Msgr. Lajiness will further advance the seminary’s work of forming priests and other workers needed for the New Evangelization,” the archbishop said in a statement.
Archbishop Vigernon said with the announcement of then-Fr. Lajiness’ appointment, he was also made a “Chaplain to His Holiness” by Pope Benedict XVI and thus was given the honorary title of monsignor.
“It is with (a) deep sense of humility and excitement that I accept this new assignment from Archbishop Vigneron,” Msgr. Lajiness said in a statement. “The prayerful support of the presbyterate and the people of the archdiocese will be essential as we continue to respond effectively to the needs of the Church today.”
Msgr. Lajiness, who was ordained in 1995, also praised the leadership of Msgr. Monforton as well as the support of Archbishop Vigneron and his predecessors, Adam Cardinal Maida and Edmund Cardinal Szoka.
Sacred Heart, Michigan’s largest seminary, currently has 115 seminarians enrolled, 39 of whom are studying to be priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
