About Catholic Community of St. Jude · DeWitt, Michigan
The Catholic Community of St. Jude is a Roman Catholic parish in DeWitt, Michigan, in the Diocese of Lansing, serving the Catholic faithful of the greater DeWitt area since being established as a parish in 1971. The parish worships at 801 N. Bridge Street, across from the DeWitt City Cemetery, on a ten-acre campus that includes a 500-seat worship space dedicated in 1997 and a Community Center that can accommodate up to 380 people. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. David Speicher (appointed June 24, 2020), the parish offers daily and weekend Mass in English, the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons, Eucharistic Adoration, Faith Formation, RCIA, and outreach ministries — and broadcasts Sunday Mass live each week on its YouTube channel.
- Established
- 1971
- Patron
- St. Jude Thaddeus
- Rector
- Fr. David Speicher
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
The Catholic Community of St. Jude is a mid-Michigan parish where members greet one another with the joyful shout of 'God is good!' The parish offers daily and weekend Mass in English, Saturday-confession and by-appointment Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration (including a 40-Hour Eucharistic Adoration event), Faith Formation for children and adults, RCIA, volunteer opportunities through ministries such as the parish food pantry, and a thriving Community Center used for parish life and wedding receptions. Sunday Mass is also livestreamed on YouTube, and the parish stays connected through Facebook and Instagram — welcoming newcomers, young families, and longtime members alike into prayer, the sacraments, and service.
Mass times at Catholic Community of St. Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (or by appointment)
- By appointment — contact Fr. Dave Speicher (Pastor)
Adoration times
- Day Chapel open during parish office hours (visit anytime to pray)
- Annual 40-Hour Eucharistic Adoration (announced in parish communications; all time slots filled by parishioners)
Parish History
Catholic Community of St. Jude grew from a 1967 request by local Catholics to Bishop Alexander Zaleski. After Masses were first celebrated at Fuerstenau Jr. High School in 1969, the community became a Mission (1970) and a parish under Fr. Jerome Schmitt on June 30, 1971. The original multi-purpose building on the ten-acre North Bridge Street campus was completed in July 1974; the larger 500-seat worship space was dedicated February 2, 1997. The parish marked its Golden Jubilee on September 28–29, 2019, and continues to grow under Fr. David Speicher.
- First pastor: Fr. Jerome Schmitt (1971–1976)
- First Mass in DeWitt: September 28, 1969 — over 300 in attendance
- Name changed to 'The Catholic Community of St. Jude' under Msgr. David Stotenbur
- Current church dedicated February 2, 1997, by Bishop Carl Mengeling
- 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) celebrated September 28–29, 2019, with Bishop Earl Boyea
- New offices, meeting space and day chapel added and blessed May 17, 2019
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. David Speicher, appointed June 24, 2020, by Bishop Earl Boyea upon Fr. Robert 'Bob' Irish being granted senior priest status. Four permanent deacons assist with sacramental and outreach ministries: Deacon Edward 'Ted' Heutsche (senior deacon status granted March 7, 2019), Deacon Kevin Orth (appointed October 2015), and Deacons Rob Strouse and Bob Nieman (both ordained May 18, 2019). Parish staff include Judy Rademacher (Parish Secretary / facility scheduler, 517.648.3732) and Annika Haynes (Communications Coordinator).
- Pastor — Fr. David Speicher ([email protected])
- Pastor Emeritus — Fr. Robert "Bob" Irish
- Deacon Edward "Ted" Heutsche (Senior Deacon)
- Deacon Kevin Orth
- Deacon Rob Strouse
- Deacon Bob Nieman
- Parish Secretary — Judy Rademacher ([email protected]; 517.648.3732)
- Communications Coordinator — Annika Haynes
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The parish runs ongoing Faith Formation / Religious Education programs for children and teens — including Vacation Bible School — and Adult Faith programs, RCIA for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church, and a Youth Ministry with an annual Youth Mission Trip. Sacramental preparation includes Baptism, First Communion / First Eucharist, Confirmation (diocesan process), and Marriage (with wedding reception rental available in the Community Center). During the COVID-19 pandemic many of these gatherings were postponed or canceled but the parish continued to support families spiritually from a distance.
- Religious Education / Faith Formation (K–8)
- Youth Ministry & Youth Mission Trip
- Vacation Bible School
- RCIA (adult initiation)
- Adult faith programs & Young Family programs
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation & reception hosting
Parish Life, Outreach & Service
St. Jude's parish life extends well beyond Sunday Mass. The annual Faith Fest, Baccalaureate Mass, Memorial Day Mass, and seasonal socials fill the parish calendar, and ministries like the Knights of Columbus and parish food pantry provide service opportunities. Volunteers give their time across liturgical, formation, communications, hospitality, and outreach roles (a volunteer form is available on the parish website). The parish is described in its own welcome as a community that meets 'challenges of life with you through prayer, sacraments, and services.'
- Annual Faith Fest parish festival
- Vacation Bible School
- Parish Food Pantry
- Knights of Columbus
- Volunteer ministry sign-ups (liturgical, hospitality, formation, communications, outreach)
- Baccalaureate Mass, Memorial Day Mass, seasonal receptions
Facilities & Community Center
The 10-acre North Bridge Street campus sits across from the DeWitt City Cemetery. It includes the current 500-seat worship space (dedicated 1997), the original 1974 multi-purpose building now known as the Community Center / Parish Center (rated to accommodate up to 380 people), parish offices (in the remodeled Wilson Street property and the 2019 building addition), and a day chapel. The Community Center is available for parish group meetings and for outside rental — including wedding receptions — with a variety of floor plans available. Booking is handled by Parish Secretary Judy Rademacher at 517.648.3732.
- Worship space — 500 seats (dedicated 1997)
- Community Center / Parish Center — up to 380-person capacity
- Day Chapel (added with the 2018–2019 building expansion)
- Facility rentals and wedding reception hosting (contact Judy Rademacher)
- Across from DeWitt City Cemetery
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Jerome Schmitt1971–1976
First pastor of the parish; resigned January 13, 1976.
- Fr. Michael D. MurphyFebruary 1976 – August 1977
Transferred to St. Patrick's, Brighton, on August 14, 1977; appointed by Bishop Kenneth J. Povish.
- Monsignor David M. StotenburSeptember 1977 – June 1990
During his pastorate the parish name was changed to 'The Catholic Community of St. Jude.'
- Monsignor Bernard ReillyJune 1990 – June 1998
Oversaw the 1995–1997 construction and dedication of the current 500-seat worship space; reassigned to St. Mary Star of the Sea, Jackson.
- Fr. Daniel WunderlichJune 1998 – October 25, 1999
Stepped away due to illness; died December 13, 1999. Fr. Paul Cummings covered sacramental needs during his illness.
- Fr. Dwight EzopJanuary 2000 – June 26, 2013
Purchased 414 N. Bridge Street as the new rectory; oversaw audio-visual and facility upgrades; transferred to St. John the Evangelist, Fenton.
- Fr. Robert (Bob) IrishJune 26, 2013 – June 24, 2020
Served first as Administrator (from June 26, 2013), then named Pastor on June 25, 2014, by Bishop Earl Boyea, Jr.; granted senior priest status effective June 24, 2020.
- Fr. David SpeicherJune 24, 2020 – present
Current pastor; appointed by Bishop Earl Boyea upon Fr. Bob Irish's transition to senior priest status.