Brandon Twp.-Fr. Ron Richards is on the move.
After arriving at St. Anne Catholic Church in November as parochial administrator during Fr. Bernie Mullen’s illness ? Richards, 45, was reassigned to St. Dunstan’s in Garden City. He will leave in June.
‘The people here gave me a lot and truly helped me grow as an individual,? said Richards. ‘It’s hard to move on, but I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I’m here to bring people nearer to God.?
A Sterling Heights native, Richards, 45, attended Michigan State University where he earned a mechanical engineering degree. He also studied at Wayne State University, completing a master of arts in teaching. For nine years, Richards taught physics and mathematics at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills. In 1998, Richards began studies at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and then moved to Rome, living at the North American College while attending The Gregorian University (Jesuit- run university) receiving his master’s degree in theology. He later studied a year at the Angelicum (Benedictine-run university) where he began studies in canon law.
‘The people here have been wonderful’St. Anne is a great parish,? said Richards. ‘These have been very giving people’just consider of about 800 families that attend here, there’s 150 volunteers. We have 50 in the youth programs, too’that’s outstanding.?
Richards was ordained May 24, 2004, and prior to his assignment at St. Anne, was an associate pastor for three years at St. Hugo of the Hills in Bloomfield Hills. Richards is currently attending Catholic University in Washington, D.C. to complete his canon law license.
‘The staff here have a lot to do with such enthusiasm ‘this may be a small community, but people really care. They care about other churches, too, in the community’the OCEF project encompasses several churches.?