The first suggestion that parishes may close came in late 2011, and while it did not make anything official, it did suggest that big changes would be heading toward the Detroit area.

The Archdiocese of Detroit made their recommendations known regarding the closing or merging of area parishes based on the research of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. The goal is for 60 parishes to merge into 21 and one of the clusters suggested was the merging of St. Alberts, St. Sebastians, and St. John the Baptist churches. It suggested the time frame for this should be the retirement of St. John’s pastor as it mentioned a shortage of priest. It also said that the churches were at this time financially secure, but did express a possible shortage of priests.

The report was submitted to the Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who would make a further announcement regarding his decision the next year.