About Church of the Holy Family · Grand Blanc, Michigan
Church of the Holy Family is a Catholic parish in Grand Blanc, Michigan, in the Diocese of Lansing, serving more than 5,700 people in nearly 1,800 households. Founded in 1946, the parish worships at a cruciform church built in 1953 and expanded in 1964, and operates Holy Family School (Pre-K through 8) staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Its mission, as stated on hfgb.org, is to unite parishioners 'in the invitation to the wonder of a personal encounter with the risen Christ' through sacraments, prayer, education, and outreach to the wider Grand Blanc community.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Fr. Joe (Joseph) Krupp
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
Holy Family is a large, active parish of more than 5,700 members that pairs a long Catholic tradition in Grand Blanc (since 1946) with a vibrant range of ministries. Parishioners can be formed in faith through FORMED, Quantum Catechesis, and the parish school (Pre-K–8), serve neighbors through the Holy Family Outreach Center's food pantry and clothes closet, bring Communion to nine area nursing homes, and participate in a full schedule of devotions including daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesdays and Fridays), and the Sacrament of Reconciliation twice weekly. The parish's own mission — 'a Catholic community of faith, hope and love' — is lived out in its school, its music program, its bereavement and outreach ministries, and its visible commitment to rebuilding its sanctuary for future generations.
Mass times at Church of the Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
- Saturdays 8:30 a.m. (after the 8:00 a.m. Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Fridays 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Parish History
Holy Family's story begins on February 22, 1945, when 68 local Catholics petitioned Bishop Joseph Albers for a new parish. The parish was canonically erected on July 20, 1946, with Fr. John Bush as its founding pastor. The first Mass was celebrated on August 4, 1946. The current church site was selected in 1951, the church was dedicated in 1953, and it was expanded and redesigned into its present cruciform shape in 1964. A parish school was added in 1956, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph from Nazareth, Michigan.
- Petition for new parish: February 22, 1945
- Canonical erection: July 20, 1946
- First Mass: August 4, 1946 (first baptisms: Lene Heatherly and Michael McCall)
- Church dedicated: 1953
- Cruciform redesign and expansion: 1964 (rededicated September 6, 1964)
- School groundbreaking: 1955; school opened: September 1956
- Parish center named in honor of Fr. John Bush (1983)
- $3.5 million church rebuilding project completed under Fr. Joe Krupp
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Family is led by Fr. Joseph Krupp as pastor and Fr. Le Vodivodi as parochial vicar, with two deacons — Dcn. Andy Cocagne and Dcn. Dan Medich — assisting. A full lay staff supports worship, formation, outreach, music, communications, facilities, and finance.
- Fr. Joseph Krupp — Pastor
- Fr. Le Vodivodi — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Andy Cocagne
- Deacon Dan Medich
- Genevieve Psenski — Volunteer Coordinator
- Director of Evangelization — (listed on staff page)
- Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Dr. B. Simon Lee — Music Director
- Dr. Hyekyung 'Sia' Lee — Associate Music Director
- Kathy Medich — Outreach Director (810-771-7279, ext. 2222)
- Business Administrator — (listed on staff page)
- Talia Tetmeyer — Facilities/Events Coordinator
- Nancy Repuyan — Ministry to the Ill & Bereaved
- Chuck Wright — Communications Specialist
- Accountant — (listed on staff page)
- Bulletin Editor — Katie Buszek
- Michelle Hoerig / Linda Doyle — Administrative support
- Carrie Pilarski — Elementary Religious Education Coordinator
- Aimee Wolven / Nicole Urbanik / Jeremiah Ortega — additional parish support
- Theresa Dyer — Receptionist
- Sr. Sharon Hektor, C.S.J. — School Teacher Associate (Sisters of St. Joseph)
- Linda Doyle — School Principal (810-694-9072)
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministry at Holy Family is coordinated by Volunteer Coordinator Genevieve Psenski. The parish invites parishioners of all ages to serve at the altar and in the assembly.
- Altar Servers — open to all young parishioners grades 4–12; training provided.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — must have received the Sacraments of Initiation; training available.
- Readers of the Word (Lectors) — proclaim Scripture at Mass; training and scheduling provided.
- Ushers — greet worshippers, prepare worship aids and bulletins, recruit gift bearers, and assist at Mass.
- Music Ministry — under Music Director Dr. B. Simon Lee with associate music staff.
Outreach & Social Ministry
The Holy Family Outreach Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and provides food, clothing, and other assistance to individuals and families living in ZIP codes 48439, 48503, 48507, 48519, and 48529. A photo ID is required to sign up for assistance. The parish reports that every dollar given to Outreach can buy about $6 worth of food. On the first weekend of each month — 'Others First' weekend — parishioners are asked to bring non-perishable items to Mass for the food pantry. The parish also partners with Catholic Charities of Genesee & Shiawassee Counties, located beside St. Michael's Catholic Church in Flint.
- Outreach Center hours: Mon–Fri, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Service area ZIP codes: 48439, 48503, 48507, 48519, 48529
- Photo ID required for assistance sign-up
- Donations accepted during business hours only
- Online Giving fund: 'Outreach Program'
- 'Others First' first-weekend food collection
- Partner: Catholic Charities of Genesee & Shiawassee Counties (Flint)
Ministry to the Ill, Homebound & Bereaved
Holy Family ministers to the sick and grieving throughout the Grand Blanc area, bringing Holy Communion to nine local nursing homes and to homebound parishioners, and walking alongside families through funeral arrangements, vigil, and funeral liturgy. The parish coordinates with volunteers and provides training for Eucharistic Ministers who visit the ill.
- Eucharistic Ministers to nine nursing homes in Grand Blanc
- Priests celebrate monthly Mass at five of those facilities
- Weekly Communion and Rosary Service at two nursing homes
- Eucharist brought to the homebound on request
- Bereavement Ministry — assists with funeral arrangements, vigil service, and funeral liturgy
- Luncheon Servers — hospitality volunteers provide desserts or salads for catered funeral lunches
Faith Formation & Evangelization
Holy Family supports formation for all ages through in-person programs and online resources. The parish uses FORMED for Catholic video, audio, and study content, and partners with Joe in Black Ministries for evangelization. The Elementary Religious Education program is coordinated by Carrie Pilarski; Youth Ministry has its own coordinator; and adult faith formation is offered through the Evangelization office.
- FORMED — hfgb.formed.org
- Quantum Catechesis
- Joe in Black Ministries
- Elementary Religious Education (Carrie Pilarski)
- Youth Ministry (Youth Ministry Coordinator on staff)
- RCIA and adult formation — see Evangelization page
Holy Family Catholic School
Holy Family School is a parish school serving Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–8, with an Extended Care Program available before and after school. It opened in September 1956 under founding pastor Fr. John Bush, with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan — Sisters Genofeva, Blanche, and Mary Shawn — forming the first faculty. The first enrollment was 125 students in grades 1–6 with two grades per classroom. Additions to the school were completed in 1960, 1966, 1995, and 1998 (the last, a twelve-classroom wing, under Fr. James Swiat). Current enrollment is approximately 350. The school is accredited through the Michigan Nonpublic Schools Accrediting Association and is a member of MANS, NCEA, and the Genesee County Catholic Schools (GCCS). The school mascot is the Panthers, and the annual mandatory fundraiser is the 'Panther Draw.' The principal is Linda Doyle.
- Opened September 1956 by the Sisters of St. Joseph (Nazareth, MI)
- First principal: Sister Genofeva, C.S.J.
- First enrollment: 125 students in grades 1–6
- Building expansions: 1960, 1966, 1995, and 1998
- Current enrollment: ~350, Preschool through Grade 8
- Mascot: Panthers; Annual fundraiser: Panther Draw
- Accredited by Michigan Nonpublic Schools Accrediting Association
- Member of MANS, NCEA, and Genesee County Catholic Schools (GCCS)
- Principal: Linda Doyle — 810-694-9072
- Extended Care Program (before and after school)
Parish Campus & Building Project
The Holy Family campus includes the cruciform church (dedicated 1953; rededicated September 6, 1964), Holy Family School (1956 and additions), the Father Bush Parish Center, and the Outreach Center. A multi-phase, multi-million-dollar master plan is reshaping the nine-acre site: a $3.5 million redevelopment added a new east-end sanctuary, new roof trusses, and additional seating; a new covered drop-off area and expanded gathering space are planned along Saginaw Street, with the south drive moving 50 feet north; and future phases may add a small hall for banquets and funeral dinners, and — if growth continues — a school addition that could include an auditorium and additional classroom space.
- 9-acre downtown Grand Blanc campus
- Current church building: dedicated 1953, cruciform redesign 1964
- Father Bush Parish Center (dedicated 1983)
- $3.5 million church rebuilding project — new east-end sanctuary and roof
- Phase 2: covered drop-off area and expanded gathering space along Saginaw St.
- Future phases: small hall for banquets/funeral dinners; possible school addition with auditorium and classrooms
Community & Heritage
Holy Family is deeply woven into the Grand Blanc community and its local Catholic heritage. The Knights of Columbus Council 6742 — 'Mother of Perpetual Help' — is chartered at the parish and erected a historical marker on the original 1946 church site reading: 'The first Holy Family Church rested on this rock, 1946.' The parish's own mission statement captures its identity: 'We, the Church of the Holy Family, are united in the invitation to the wonder of a personal encounter with the risen Christ. Through sacraments, prayer and education we are compelled to serve, sacrifice and evangelize, forming a Catholic community of faith, hope and love.'
- Knights of Columbus Council 6742 'Mother of Perpetual Help' chartered at the parish
- Historical marker at original 1946 church site
- Parish mission statement: 'a Catholic community of faith, hope and love'
- Membership: 5,700+ parishioners in nearly 1,800 households
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Bush1946–1983
Founding pastor; oversaw construction of the 1953 church and 1956 school; the parish center was later named in his honor.
- Fr. James R. Swiat1983–2007
Second pastor; under his guidance a twelve-classroom addition to the school was completed in 1998.
- Fr. Kenneth F. Coughlin2007–2015
Third pastor.
- Msgr. Jerry Vincke2015–2018
Fourth pastor; in 2018 he was named Bishop of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas.
- Fr. Joseph Krupp2018–present
Fifth pastor; led the $3.5 million church rebuilding project.