The Feast of Corpus Christi on June 22, 2003 saw an outdoor Eucharistic procession beginning at St. Conrad Church and ending at St. Mary Magdalen with a presentation on the Eucharist and Benediction.
In July of 2004 it was announced that St. Mary Magdalen and St. Conrad parishes would cluster. A committee was established to help implement and manage the clustering process.
In September of 2004 the school began a yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary. Bishop Frank Reiss celebrated the anniversary Mass on February 1, 2005 which was attended by the student body, staff and parishioners. A reception followed in the school lunch room with school tours available for visitors.
On March 6, 2005, in the Sunday bulletin, Fr. Anifer announced that the school would not reopen for the next school year based on a declining enrollment over a six-year period and the church’s need to subsidize the school each year. The final all-school Mass was celebrated on June 15th with mementos of the school given to all who attended. The school building was then leased to the Academy of Business and Technology.
The outdoor statue of St. Mary Magdalen was moved to the courtyard between the church and rectory and a prayer garden was established with brick pavers, benches, a fountain and new plants.
The convent, which was rented for several years to a senior care company, reverted back to the parish in 2006. With some renovations, the building was converted to a social hall and Religious Education Center.
Effective July 1, 2008 St. Mary Magdalen Parish and St. Conrad Parish officially merged. Renovations to the church’s main entrance area included the construction of a daily Mass Chapel, a larger gathering area, a new Baptism Font and incorporated items from St. Conrad’s now-closed church.
Fr. Anifer announced a three-month sabbatical beginning July 1, 2010. Fr. Gerry Cupple, from St. Henry Parish in Lincoln Park, was assigned here as temporary administrator. In October, due to illness, Fr. Anifer announced his plan to retire. Fr. John Sullivan, a retired priest, helped fill the void until another pastor could be named. Fr. Ed Zaorski, pastor of Ss. Andrew & Benedict in Detroit, became our new pastor in 2011 and again we were a clustered parish.
The altar from St. Conrad Church was installed on the main floor of our church as our new permanent altar in 2011. At this time the organ was moved back to its old location in the sanctuary. Also, at this time, Fr. Sullivan, who continued to help with Masses and other priestly duties, moved into the rectory apartment.
On December 18, 2011, during the 11:00 a.m. Mass, Fr. Ed and Fr. John celebrated the liturgy giving recognition to the 85th anniversary of our parish and rededicating the newly renovated worship area.