Msgr. Peter Lentine is pictured with a cake his parish made for his 97th birthday in April. Msgr. Lentine, the oldest priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, will celebrate 50 years as pastor of St. Philomena on Sunday. Msgr. Peter Lentine has been celebrating Mass at the east-side Detroit parish for 50 years, and on Sunday at 1 p.m., Msgr. Lentine will be joined by friends and family as the 97-year-old priest celebrates a half-century at St. Philomena’s, the only parish where he has served as pastor.
Msgr. Lentine is the fourth pastor in the parish’s 65-year history.
Immediately after Mass, the parish will gather in the social hall for a reception, where Msgr. Lentine has politely asked no gifts be given.
“I’m grateful for the parish staff who are so helpful and for all the parishioners who take me to dialysis three times a week,” wrote Msgr. Lentine in an address to the parish on March 30 in celebration of his 97th birthday. “I have everything I want and need — a loving parish that continues to inspire, encourage and amaze me and a wonderful, faith-filled community that helps me in so many ways.
“I have said it before but I will say it again — I am the luckiest priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit.”
St. Philomena Parish is located at 4281 Marseilles in Detroit.
