About Christ Our Light · Troy, Michigan
Christ, Our Light! Parish is a Catholic community of about 1,000 families in Troy, Michigan, in the Archdiocese of Detroit. It was established on May 25, 2013, through the merger of two older parishes — St. Alan in Troy and St. Columban in Birmingham — and worships in the former St. Alan church at 3077 Glouchester, near Somerset Mall. The parish is known for its small, intimate feel, two choirs, active Christian Service and evangelization, a strong Faith Formation program for children and adults, and a special-needs faith community called All Belong.
- Established
- 2013
- Patron
- Christ (Our Light)
- Rector
- Rev. Donald Demmer
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Family of Parishes: Northwest South Oakland 1; Vicarate: South Oakland Vicariate; Region: Northwest)
Why belong here
Christ, Our Light! is built for people who want a smaller, more personal Catholic parish in the Troy area while still being supported by a full staff and active programs. The parish is known for its refurbished worship space, two talented music ministers leading choirs at the 9:30 and 11 AM Sunday Masses, a robust Faith Formation program for children and adults, and a special-needs ministry called All Belong. Add to that Christian Service projects (Thanksgiving baskets, Giving Tree, Right-to-Life cards, funeral lunches, Lenten soup lunches), a St. Vincent de Paul conference, Stephen Ministry, a vibrant Youth Group, and many small activity groups (Bible & Bagels, Widowed Friends, Senior Singles, Men's Fellowship, Tai Chi), and you have a community 'intimate enough to know each other and large enough to accomplish wonderful things.'
Mass times at Christ Our Light
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM (or by appointment)
History and Identity of Christ, Our Light! Parish
Christ, Our Light! Parish was canonically established on May 25, 2013, as the result of years of discussion and planning, merging two smaller Catholic parishes in Oakland County: St. Alan Parish in Troy (1966–2013) and St. Columban Parish in Birmingham (1953–2013). The combined community took the former St. Alan church on Glouchester Drive in Troy as its home, and the records of both founding parishes are kept at the parish office. Today Christ Our Light serves roughly 1,000 families, sitting within the South Oakland Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit and forming part of the Northwest South Oakland 1 Family of Parishes.
- Formed May 25, 2013, by merger of St. Alan (Troy) and St. Columban (Birmingham)
- Worships in the former St. Alan church on Glouchester Drive
- About 1,000 families
- Member of Northwest South Oakland 1 Family of Parishes, South Oakland Vicariate
Clergy and Staff
The parish is shepherded by a team of priests serving in solidum, with Rev. Donald Demmer as the primarily responsible priest. Rev. Steven Wertanen, Rev. Anthony Richter, Rev. Colin Fricke, and Rev. Dominic Macioce serve alongside him as priests in solidum, and Deacon Tommaso Caporuscio assists with ministry. A lay staff keeps the parish office, Faith Formation program, communications, finances, and music running.
- Rev. Donald Demmer — Pastor / Priest Moderator
- Rev. Steven Wertanen — Priest in Solidum
- Rev. Anthony Richter — Priest in Solidum
- Rev. Colin Fricke — Priest in Solidum
- Rev. Dominic Macioce — Priest in Solidum
- Deacon Tommaso Caporuscio
- Elaine Cervera — Parish Life Coordinator (ext. 105)
- Josylin Mateus — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 107)
- Carol Reeser — Office Manager (ext. 100)
- Mary Murray — Communications Coordinator (ext. 101)
- Robert Mervak — Business Manager (ext. 111)
- Theresa Lee — Faith Formation Administrative Assistant (ext. 112)
- Bill Konanos
- David Minnick — Music Minister / 9:30 AM Choir Director
- Bob Mervak — Music Minister / 11 AM Choir Director
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Christ Our Light serves children, youth, and adults through Religious Education classes (both Monday evening and Sunday morning sessions), Sacramental Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, and a Vacation Bible School. The parish also runs the All Belong Special Needs Faith Enrichment Community, which gathers most Saturdays at 10 AM during the school year to support children and families affected by disability. R.C.I.A. is offered for adults exploring the Catholic faith or preparing to receive Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion.
- Religious Education — Monday evening and Sunday morning tracks
- Sacramental Preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- Vacation Bible School
- R.C.I.A. — Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 PM (no registration required)
- All Belong Special Needs Faith Enrichment Community — Saturdays 10 AM in school year
Music Ministry
Music is a point of pride at Christ Our Light, which is served by two Music Ministers and two parish choirs. The 9:30 AM Sunday Mass choir is directed by David Minnick, with weekly rehearsals most Thursdays at 7 PM. The 11 AM Sunday Mass choir is directed by Bob Mervak, with rehearsals most Wednesdays at 7 PM. Both choirs welcome new members.
- 9:30 AM Choir — David Minnick, Music Minister (rehearsal Thursdays 7 PM)
- 11 AM Choir — Bob Mervak, Music Minister (rehearsal Wednesdays 7 PM)
- New members always welcome
Parish Ministries and Parish Life
The parish runs a wide array of lay ministries for worship, formation, fellowship, and service. Liturgical Ministry includes Eucharistic Ministers for Sunday Mass, Home-Visit Eucharistic Ministers, weekday and funeral Sacristans, and youth Altar Servers (grades 4–12). Christian Service coordinates seasonal projects such as Thanksgiving food baskets, the Giving Tree, Right-to-Life Christmas cards, Valentines to the homebound, Easter baskets, Lenten Friday soup lunches, and funeral lunches. Stephen Ministry offers one-on-one lay caring for people who are hurting.
- Liturgical Ministry (Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Altar Servers grades 4–12)
- High School Youth Group — monthly meetings with socials, service, and faith-building
- Christian Service (Thanksgiving baskets, Giving Tree, Right-to-Life cards, Easter baskets, Lenten soup lunches, funeral lunches, coffee and donuts)
- Helping the Homebound
- Stephen Ministry — call 248-689-8380, ext. 112
- Men's Fellowship — Saturdays 7:30–9 AM
- Coffee and Donuts after 9:30 and 11 AM Sunday Masses
Outreach and Charity
Christ Our Light maintains a St. Vincent de Paul conference that serves parishioners and anyone living within parish boundaries, helping with evictions, food, clothing, and utility shut-offs (and referring those outside the boundaries to the appropriate local conference). A Poor Box on the north wall of the church, between the vestibule doors and the baptismal font, supports this work. The parish also visits area nursing homes to lead weekly Rosary and prayer services, and brings the Eucharist to the homebound.
- Saint Vincent de Paul — meets fourth Thursday of the month at 7 PM; SVdP voicemail: 248-649-5510, ext. 112
- Poor Box in the church (north wall, between vestibule doors and baptismal font)
- Nursing Home Ministry — weekly Rosary and prayer services
- Helping the Homebound — Eucharistic visits to housebound parishioners
Activity Groups for Adults
Outside of formal ministries, the parish hosts several small activity groups that foster friendship, faith, and support across life's stages — from Bible study to caregiver support, from widowed companionship to a young-adult fellowship that spans the wider Family of Parishes.
- Bible & Bagels — Wednesdays 10 AM–Noon when in session
- Caregiver Support Group
- Widowed Friends — widowed men and women of all ages and faiths
- Senior Singles — first Tuesday of the month; casual gatherings, devotionals, outings, and service
- Emmaus Family of Parishes Young Adult Group (ages 21–35) — second Thursday at noon
- Tai Chi classes
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments, with Faith Formation coordinating Sacramental Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, and R.C.I.A. for adults. Priests and Stephen Ministers visit the sick, homebound, and bereaved, and Funeral Sacristans assist with funeral liturgies. Couples preparing for marriage should contact the parish office.
- Baptism
- First Communion and Confirmation (Sacramental Preparation)
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and visits to the homebound
- Funeral liturgy support
- R.C.I.A. for adult initiation
Visit, Contact, and Connect
Christ, Our Light! is located at 3077 Glouchester, Troy, Michigan 48084, near Somerset Mall. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM, Saturday 3:00 PM through the end of the Vigil Mass, and Sunday 7:45 AM through the end of the last Mass. The parish is also active on Facebook and live-streams Masses on YouTube.
- Address: 3077 Glouchester, Troy, MI 48084
- Phone: 248-649-5510
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Sat 3:00 PM–after Mass; Sun 7:45 AM–after Mass
- Facebook: Christ Our Light Parish Troy
- YouTube: live-streamed Masses