About Annunciation of the Lord Parish - St. Edward the Confessor · Kinde, Michigan
Annunciation of the Lord Parish is a Roman Catholic multi-site parish in the Diocese of Saginaw that unites three rural churches in Michigan's Thumb region: St. Michael Church in Port Austin (the parish's main worship site), St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Kinde, and St. Edward the Confessor Church in Kinde. St. Edward the Confessor Church, located at 5088 Clinton Street in Kinde, is designated by the diocese as a 'Church for Occasional Use,' while regular Masses and parish life are centered at St. Michael. The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Fr. Craig G. Carolan and is part of the Saginaw diocese's Vicariate 1. Its mission statement describes the community as a 'witness to our faith in Jesus Christ' striving to be 'a loving and prayerful people' who seek peace, justice, and mercy.
- Established
- 1912 (St. Edward church dedicated); 1917 (St. Edward became a parish); 2013 (joined Annunciation of the Lord Parish)
- Patron
- St. Edward the Confessor (King of England, 1042–1066; canonized 1161; patron of England, kings, difficult marriages, and separated spouses)
- Rector
- Rev. Craig G. Carolan (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 1)
Why belong here
Annunciation of the Lord Parish brings together three small-town churches in Port Austin and Kinde into a single, welcoming Catholic family rooted in the farming and fishing communities of Michigan's Thumb. Visitors and parishioners can join in weekday Masses at each of the three historic church buildings, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a First Friday devotion, and a First Saturday morning of Confessions, Rosary, and Mass. Active groups — including the Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabella, Legion of Mary, Women's Holy Rosary Sodality, a Right to Life ministry, youth faith formation, Vacation Bible School (held jointly with the Kinde Presbyterian Church), and an OCIA program for adults becoming Catholic — give every member a clear way to put faith into service.
Mass times at Annunciation of the Lord Parish - St. Edward the Confessor
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Available prior to Sunday Masses
- Any time by appointment
- First Saturday of every month beginning at 8:30 AM
- Communal reconciliation services with private confession as announced (parish-wide)
Adoration times
- Every Tuesday at 5:00 PM at St. Edward the Confessor Church, Kinde (prior to the 6:00 PM Mass)
- Every Friday at 9:00 AM at St. Michael Church, Port Austin (following the 8:30 AM Mass)
- First Friday Adoration and Devotions — first Friday of every month following the 8:30 AM Mass
About Annunciation of the Lord Parish
Annunciation of the Lord Parish is a multi-site Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saginaw that unites three historic churches in Michigan's Thumb: St. Michael Church in Port Austin (the main worship and office site), St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Kinde, and St. Edward the Confessor Church in Kinde. The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Fr. Craig G. Carolan, with parish secretary Brenda Heilig, bookkeeper Janice Pionk, and finance council chair Brandt Rousseaux, under Bishop Robert D. Gruss of the Diocese of Saginaw. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 8661 Independence Avenue in Port Austin.
- Parish Office: 8661 Independence Avenue, P.O. Box 355, Port Austin, MI 48467
- Phone: 989-738-7521 • Fax: 989-738-5886
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: annunciationofthelordparish.org
Parish Mission Statement
The parish publishes an explicit mission statement on its website: 'We, the community of Annunciation of the Lord Parish, are a witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. We strive to be a loving and prayerful people. We seek peace and justice, and show respect and mercy toward all people. We do this to respond to our call to bring about the reign of God.'
History of St. Edward the Confessor Church
St. Edward the Confessor Church in Kinde was founded as a Catholic mission in the early 1900s and its church building was dedicated in 1912. It was raised to parish status in 1917. In 1982, St. Edward merged with neighboring St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Kinde, and in 2013 the two Kinde churches together with St. Michael in Port Austin were united into the present-day Annunciation of the Lord Parish. Today St. Edward is classified by the Diocese of Saginaw as a 'Church for Occasional Use' within that combined parish.
- Mission founded: early 1900s
- Church dedicated: 1912
- Became a parish: 1917
- Merged with St. Mary of Czestochowa (Kinde): 1982
- Joined Annunciation of the Lord Parish: 2013
St. Edward the Confessor — Patron and Namesake
St. Edward was born at the beginning of the 11th century and ruled England from 1042 until his death in 1066. He was instrumental in the building of Westminster Abbey, where his body is still buried, and was known for devout faith, prayerfulness, gentleness, generosity toward the poor, and the cancellation of unjust taxes. Many miracles were attributed to him both during his life and after his death; he was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1161. The title 'Confessor' was given to him to signify his holy life — he did not die a martyr, but 'confessor' emphasizes his piety and devotion. He is the patron saint of England, kings, difficult marriages, and separated spouses.
- Feast Day: October 13
- Born: early 11th century
- Reigned: 1042–1066
- Canonized: 1161 by Pope Alexander III
- Buried: Westminster Abbey
- Patron of: England, kings, difficult marriages, separated spouses
Our Namesakes
The four namesakes of the parish and its three church sites are highlighted on the parish website under 'Our Namesakes.'
- The Annunciation of the Lord (parish-wide patron)
- St. Michael the Archangel (St. Michael Church, Port Austin)
- Our Lady of Czestochowa (St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Kinde)
- St. Edward the Confessor (St. Edward the Confessor Church, Kinde)
Becoming Involved — Parish Ministries
The parish explicitly states that 'Your parish needs you!' and lists many ways members can serve. Liturgical and parish-service roles, as well as spiritual and fraternal organizations, are all part of parish life.
- Liturgical roles: lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers, sacristans, ushers, musicians, cantors
- Parish-service roles: catechists, parent helpers, art & environment decorators, money counters
- Spiritual/fraternal groups: Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabella, Legion of Mary, Women's Holy Rosary Sodality
- Outreach: Right to Life ministry, Pastoral Care of the Sick and Homebound
- To volunteer: contact the parish office at 989-738-7521
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs an active Faith Formation program for children and youth, including an annual Vacation Bible School that is ecumenically co-hosted with Kinde Presbyterian Church.
- Youth Faith Formation (weekly religious education for children)
- Youth Group
- OCIA: Becoming Catholic (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Bible Study
- Catholic Schools information page
- Choosing Our Vocation
- Catechism of the Catholic Church resources
- Annual Vacation Bible School (late June, 6:00–8:15 PM, hosted with Kinde Presbyterian Church) — contact Doris Wisneski or Verna Murawski
Sacraments
The parish's website links to several of the seven sacraments. Call the parish office to schedule baptisms, weddings, anointing of the sick, or other sacramental needs.
- Reconciliation (see Reconciliation section)
- Holy Eucharist (Mass — see Mass Times section)
- Baptism
- Pastoral Care of the Sick and Homebound
Church Locations
Annunciation of the Lord Parish operates three physical church buildings in two adjacent Huron County villages.
- St. Edward the Confessor — 5083 Park St. (also listed as 5088 Clinton St.), Kinde, MI 48445
- St. Mary of Czestochowa — 1709 Moeller Rd., Kinde, MI 48445
- St. Michael — 8661 Independence Ave., Port Austin, MI 48467 (main office & main worship site)
Stewardship & Online Giving
The parish offers secure online giving for one-time gifts or recurring monthly installments via credit/debit card or bank account, as well as traditional in-pew collection and mailed donations. The parish also participates in the Diocese of Saginaw's annual Christ's Mission Appeal.
- Secure online giving through the parish website
- By mail: complete and return the pledge card from the Christ's Mission Appeal mailing
- In person: drop pledge card at the parish office, the Diocese's Chancery, or the collection basket
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish staff and lay leadership are small and tight-knit, reflecting the rural character of the three communities it serves.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. Craig G. Carolan ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Brenda Heilig
- Parish Bookkeeper: Janice Pionk ([email protected])
- Finance Council Chair: Brandt Rousseaux
- Diocesan Bishop: Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss, Diocese of Saginaw
- Holy Father: Pope Leo XIV
News, Bulletins & Diocesan Links
The parish website includes a News section with current announcements, obituaries, and links to diocesan communications.
- Announcements (e.g., Ordination of Deacon Charles Warner)
- Obituaries
- Diocese of Saginaw
- Messages from Bishop Gruss
- Special Masses and Events in Our Diocese
- Catholic Schools
- Great Lakes Bay Catholic Magazine