About Diocese of Saginaw
The Diocese of Saginaw (Latin: Dioecesis Saginavensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in mid-Michigan, erected on February 26, 1938, by Pope Pius XI from territory taken from the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Archdiocese of Detroit. It is a suffragan see of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit and serves 100,000 Catholics across 56 parishes in 11 counties of the Great Lakes Bay Region and the Thumb. The mother church is the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, and the diocese is led today by its seventh bishop, Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss.
- Bishop
- Robert Dwayne Gruss
- Established
- 1938
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607
- Territory
- Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties in eastern mid-Michigan and the Thumb (6,955 square miles)
- Parishes
- 56 parishes
- Province
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Ecclesiastical Province of Detroit)
About the Diocese of Saginaw
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw was established on February 26, 1938, by Pope Pius XI, with territory carved from the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Archdiocese of Detroit in what locals call Michigan's 'thumb and index finger.' Today it serves 56 parishes across 11 mid-Michigan counties — Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola — covering 6,955 square miles and home to roughly 100,000 Catholics. The diocesan mission statement reads: 'Trusting in the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist, we, the faithful of the Diocese of Saginaw, are companions on the journey to share the love of Jesus Christ.' Bishop William F. Murphy, the founding bishop, consecrated the new diocese to Mary under the title of the Assumption.
- Established February 26, 1938
- 11 counties, 6,955 sq mi, 56 parishes, ~100,000 Catholics
- Cathedral: Mary of the Assumption, Saginaw
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Detroit
Our Bishops
Seven bishops — plus one future cardinal as auxiliary — have shepherded the diocese since 1938. Bishop Robert D. Gruss, the seventh, was installed July 26, 2019; he previously served the Diocese of Rapid City. The succession includes founding bishop William F. Murphy (1938–1950), seminary founder Stephen S. Woznicki (1950–1968), Vatican II implementer Francis F. Reh (1968–1980), vocation-builder Kenneth E. Untener (1980–2004), vocations catalyst Robert J. Carlson (2005–2009, now Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis), and Joseph R. Cistone (2009–2018). James A. Hickey served as Auxiliary Bishop of Saginaw in 1967–1969 before becoming Archbishop of Washington and a Cardinal. Archbishop Walter A. Hurley served as apostolic administrator between Cistone's death and Gruss's installation (October 2018 – July 2019).
- 1. William F. Murphy (1938–1950)
- 2. Stephen S. Woznicki (1950–1968)
- 3. Francis F. Reh (1968–1980)
- 4. Kenneth E. Untener (1980–2004)
- 5. Robert J. Carlson (2005–2009)
- 6. Joseph R. Cistone (2009–2018)
- 7. Robert D. Gruss (2019–present)
- Cardinal James A. Hickey, Auxiliary Bishop (1967–1969)
Bishop Robert D. Gruss
Bishop Robert Dwayne Gruss was born June 25, 1955, in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was a corporate pilot and flight instructor from 1980 to 1989 before entering seminary at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he earned a Master of Arts in Spiritual Theology from the Angelicum in 1994. He was ordained a priest on July 2, 1994, and made a Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. He served as vice-rector of the North American College in Rome (2007–2010) before being named Bishop of Rapid City in 2011. He was appointed seventh Bishop of Saginaw by Pope Francis on May 24, 2019, and installed at Holy Spirit Church in Thomas Township on July 26, 2019. His episcopal motto is 'No greater love.'
- Born June 25, 1955, Texarkana, Arkansas
- Corporate pilot, 1980–1989
- M.A. in Spiritual Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), 1994
- Installed July 26, 2019; appointment announced May 24, 2019
- Motto: 'No greater love'
Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption Parish
The Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption is the mother church of the diocese, located at 615 Hoyt Avenue in Saginaw. Bishop Gruss is the pastor of record, served in the liturgy by Rector Rev. Adam P. Maher and a full lay staff. It is the seat of Vicariate 3 and the principal liturgical home of the bishop. The cathedral was renovated in 1975 under Bishop Reh.
- Address: 615 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607
- Phone: 989-752-8119; [email protected]
- Sunday Mass: 10:30 a.m. (live-streamed) and 5:00 p.m.
- Weekday Mass: Tuesday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m.
- Rector: Rev. Adam P. Maher
- Music Director: Ryan McCauslin
- Faith Formation Director: Emma Geis
Parishes and Vicariates
The diocese's 56 parishes are organized into five vicariates, each led by a vicar forane (dean) and a lay vicariate liaison at the chancery. Many parishes — especially in Bay City, Saginaw, Midland, and Mount Pleasant — resulted from the consolidation of historic ethnic parishes (Polish, German, Irish, French Canadian, Italian, Hispanic). Vicariate 1 serves the Huron/Sanilac/Tuscola 'thumb' region; Vicariate 2 covers Bay, Tuscola, northern Saginaw County; Vicariate 3 covers the city of Saginaw and southern Saginaw County; Vicariate 4 covers Midland, Gladwin, Arenac, Clare, and Isabella; Vicariate 5 covers central Gratiot and Isabella counties including Mount Pleasant (home of Central Michigan University).
- Vicariate 1 (Ubly/Bad Axe/Lexington/Harbor Beach) – Dean: Rev. Nathan E. Harburg
- Vicariate 2 (Reese/Vassar/Bay City) – Dean: Rev. Andrew S. LaFramboise
- Vicariate 3 (Saginaw urban) – Dean: Rev. Steven M. Gavit
- Vicariate 4 (Midland/Pinconning/Clare) – Dean: Rev. Matthew L. Federico
- Vicariate 5 (Mt. Pleasant/Ithaca/Alma) – Dean: Rev. Loren M. Kalinowski
- Diocesan ministries co-located at the chancery by vicariate liaison
Office of Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools — led by Superintendent Mr. Cormac Lynn, Ed.S. — supports a system of 11 schools including three high schools (Nouvel Catholic Central High School in Saginaw, plus high schools in the Midland and Bay City areas) educating nearly 2,025 children. The office launched a four-pillar strategic plan on April 13, 2022: Catholic Identity and Academic Excellence; Marketing and Enrollment; Financial Vitality; and People and Governance. The Catholic Schools Foundation, created by Bishop Untener in the 1990s, sustains tuition assistance. Catholic education in the Saginaw diocese dates to 1868.
- Superintendent: Mr. Cormac Lynn, Ed.S.
- 11 schools, 3 high schools, ~2,025 students
- Catholic Identity & Academic Excellence pillar
- Marketing & Enrollment pillar (hired Danielle McGrew Tenbusch as coordinator)
- Financial Vitality — 'Investment in Excellence' review
- People and Governance — diocesan schools council in development
- Catholic education in Saginaw diocese since 1868
Faith and Catechist Formation
The Faith and Catechist Formation office supports parishes and Catholic schools as they accompany others on the journey of faith, including preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), and catechist certification. Coordinator of Faith and Catechist Formation / OCIA is Peg McEvoy (Vicariate 2 Liaison). The diocese also runs the Marriage and Family Life Ministry and coordinates youth and young adult ministries vicariate by vicariate.
- Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation preparation
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Catechist certification
- Marriage and Family Life Ministry
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry (Vicariate 3: Taylor Piotrzkowski)
Charity, Justice, and Social Outreach
The diocesan Office of Charity and Justice promotes social justice and proclaims the Gospel through prayer, education, sacrifice, and financial support. It coordinates the annual Christ Mission Appeal, the diocesan mission office (with translation services led by Maria A. Coss), Black Catholic and multicultural concerns, and partnerships with Catholic Family Service and the St. Francis Home in Saginaw. The Lay Ecclesial Ministry coordinator (Deb Popielarz) helps train and deploy the laity across parish leadership.
- Christ's Mission Appeal (annual diocesan fundraising)
- Mission Office / Propagation of the Faith — Maria A. Coss
- Multicultural Ministry — Deacon Librado Gayton
- Catholic Family Service (Saginaw & Bay City) — Sr. Mary Rebecca Koterba, RSM
- St. Francis Home, Saginaw
- Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Saginaw
Child and Youth Protection / Safe Environment
The diocese maintains an Office of Child and Youth Protection with safe-environment programs in every parish and school. In November 2018, Bishop Cistone published a list of 18 deceased priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. In June 2025 the Michigan Attorney General released a 75-year review finding 37 priests and 1 deacon accused of abusing 104 victims out of 680 priests who served in the diocese since 1950; the diocese cooperated fully, none of the living accused remain in active ministry, and an independent Diocesan Review Board meets quarterly.
- Safe Environment training in all parishes and schools
- Diocesan Review Board (independent, quarterly)
- November 2018 list of 18 deceased clergy with credible accusations
- Michigan AG report, June 2025 — 37 priests, 1 deacon, 104 victims (1950–2025)
- Father Robert DeLand — convicted March 2019, laicized November 2022
Vocations, Seminary, and Priestly Life
Vocational discernment is a long-standing diocesan priority. From 1957 to 1970, St. Paul's Seminary in Saginaw trained regional priests, with the young Monsignor James A. Hickey as its founding rector. The diocese's seminarian count, after dwindling to just 4 in 2004, climbed to 19 in 2006 under Bishop Carlson, who launched Operation Andrew vocation dinners. Bishop Untener previously served as rector of St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth before coming to Saginaw; Bishop Gruss was vice-rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
- Operation Andrew vocation dinners (Carlson-era; revived under Gruss)
- St. Paul's Seminary 1957–1970 (now chancery + Nouvel)
- St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth (Untener)
- Pontifical North American College, Rome (Gruss as vice-rector)
Liturgy, Music, and Worship
The Office of Diocesan Liturgy, led by liturgical liaison Bob Zondlak, supports clergy and musicians across the diocese with rubrical training, liturgical formation, and music. Notable ministers of music include Ryan McCauslin at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption. Bishop Gruss, during his time in Rapid City, established a Year of the Eucharist and encouraged perpetual adoration chapels — themes he continues to promote in Saginaw.
- Office of Diocesan Liturgy — Bob Zondlak
- Cathedral Music Director: Ryan McCauslin
- Bishop Gruss's emphasis on Eucharistic adoration
History of the Diocese (Archives & Story Map)
The diocesan Archives, under Archivist Mark, preserves records of parish histories, bishop biographies, and the institutional memory of the diocese. 'Great Lakes, Great Faith,' an ArcGIS-powered story map, hosts more than 100 slides on parish histories, bishop biographies, and decade-by-decade maps of the diocese. The project is ongoing — not all parishes, including those in the city of Saginaw, are yet represented.
- 'Great Lakes, Great Faith' — ArcGIS StoryMap
- Archivist: Mark
- Project ongoing; Saginaw city parishes being added
Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan
The Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan (CCFMM), housed at 5800 Weiss Street, is the planned-giving and endowment arm of the diocese. Executive Director Kristin M. Smith and a small staff coordinate grants, scholarships, and donor stewardship for parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries.
- Executive Director: Kristin M. Smith
- Grants & Scholarships Coordinator: Chad Cook
- Phone: 989-303-9200
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: www.ccfmm.org
Little Books of the Diocese of Saginaw
Little Books of the Diocese of Saginaw, Inc. is a diocesan publishing apostolate that prints Bishop Kenneth E. Untener's popular seasonal reflection booklets (for Advent, Christmas, Lent, etc.), distributed nationally to parishes and individuals.
- Executive Director: Stacey Trapani
- Editor: Erin Carlson
- Mailing: P.O. Box 6009, Saginaw, MI 48608
- Web: www.littlebooks.org
Priest Directory
The diocesan Priest Directory at saginaw.org/priest-directory lists every priest in active ministry, retired status, or otherwise assigned to the diocese, including those serving the five vicariates, the cathedral, schools, and diocesan offices. The diocesan Tribunal, with Judicial Vicar Rev. Alberto E. Vargas, handles marriage and other canonical cases.
- Full priest directory online at saginaw.org/priest-directory
- Tribunal/Judicial Vicar: Rev. Alberto E. Vargas (989-797-6622)
- Chancellor's office coordinates assignments and clergy personnel
Christ's Mission Appeal
Christ's Mission Appeal is the annual diocesan fundraising appeal sustaining more than a dozen ministries — Catholic schools, Catholic Family Service, seminarian formation, multicultural ministry, marriage and family life, Catholic cemeteries, communications, and more. The 2025–2026 appeal, themed 'One Heart and Mind,' offers online, mail-in, and in-person giving options.
- Annual diocesan-wide appeal
- Supports schools, charities, formation, and diocesan staff
- 2025–2026 theme: 'One Heart and Mind'
Contact and Visit
The Diocesan Chancery — Central Administrative Offices — is at 5800 Weiss Street, Saginaw, MI 48603-2762, with office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. The general phone line is (989) 797-6620; fax (989) 797-6670. To contact Bishop Gruss, write to his administrative assistant Mary Piechowiak at [email protected] or call 989.797.6683. Director of Administrative Services is Jane Sills ([email protected] / 989.797.6657).
- Chancery: 5800 Weiss St., Saginaw, MI 48603-2762
- Main phone: 989-797-6620
- Bishop's office: 989-797-6683 / [email protected]
- Office hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon–Fri
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