About Divine Child · Dearborn, Michigan
The Church of the Divine Child is a Catholic parish in Dearborn, Michigan, founded in 1950 by the Archdiocese of Detroit and now in its 75th year of ministry. Pastored by Fr. Robert J. McCabe (Pastor In Solidum / Primarily Responsible), the parish welcomes more than 2,000 families to weekly Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of ministries. The parish also operates both Divine Child Elementary School (K–8) and Divine Child High School, serving nearly 1,500 students from over 50 Metro Detroit zip codes. Located at 1055 N. Silvery Lane in Dearborn, Divine Child belongs to the South West Wayne 1 Family of Parishes within the Archdiocese of Detroit.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- The Divine Child (Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert J. McCabe (Priest In Solidum, Primarily Responsible)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (South West Wayne 1 Family of Parishes, South Region, West Wayne Vicariate)
Why belong here
Divine Child is a large, multi-generational Catholic parish where more than 2,000 families gather for Mass and a thriving Faith Formation program spans OCIA (for adults becoming Catholic), children's religious education K–8, GIFT for young families, middle school ministry, Scouts, CYO sports, and Vacation Bible School. Worship is enriched by a 24/7 Perpetual Adoration Chapel, a Mother of Perpetual Help Novena on Tuesdays, a weekly Healing Prayer Service, and a dedicated Music Ministry. The parish also operates both Divine Child Elementary and Divine Child High School — providing Catholic education to roughly 1,500 students from over 50 zip codes — and serves the wider community through St. Vincent de Paul, Mercy in Action service days, blood drives, and other outreach.
Mass times at Divine Child
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00 PM
- Saturdays, 2:30–4:00 PM
- Saturdays, after the 4:30 PM Mass (until all are heard)
- First Friday of the month, 7:00–8:00 AM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Adoration Chapel: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Blessed Sacrament in the chapel every day except Tuesday)
- Tuesdays: Adoration in the main Church, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Weekly Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Fridays at 3:00 PM in the Adoration Chapel
Parish History (1950–Present)
Founded on June 15, 1950 by the Archdiocese of Detroit with Rev. Herbert F. Weier as its first pastor, the Church of the Divine Child grew rapidly — within a month of the first Masses in Henry Haigh Elementary School on July 2, 1950, attendance had reached roughly 600. The current church building was dedicated by Archbishop John Francis Dearden on June 22, 1963, processing in with 1,700 people. The parish marked its Golden Jubilee in 2000 and its 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) in 2024–2025.
- 1950 — Parish founded by the Archdiocese of Detroit; Rev. Herbert F. Weier named Pastor
- 1952 — Construction begins on Divine Child Elementary School
- 1953 — Six Bernardine Franciscan Sisters arrive; Elementary School opens September 9 with 297 students
- 1954 — Convent completed; eight Bernardine Franciscan Sisters move in
- 1958 — Divine Child High School opens September 4 with 84 freshmen
- 1962 — Construction begins on the present church
- 1963 — Church dedicated by Archbishop Dearden, June 22
- 1976 — Rev. Msgr. Herman Kucyk named Pastor
- 1979 — Hollander Street renamed Herbert Weier Drive in honor of the founder
- 1994 — Gathering Room constructed
- 1998 — Church renovated: choir loft expanded, organ pipes exposed, new stained glass added
- 1999 — Perpetual Adoration Chapel built adjacent to the south side of the church
- 2000 — Golden Jubilee celebrated
- 2007 — Rev. James Bilot welcomed as third Pastor (July 1)
- 2016 — New Alumni Athletic Field groundbreaking (April 15) and ribbon cutting (August 26)
- 2019 — Rev. Robert J. McCabe welcomed as fourth Pastor (July 1)
- 2024–2025 — Diamond Jubilee: 75 years of mission and ministry
Devotions and Prayer Services
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish sustains a rich weekly rhythm of devotion — particularly around the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady.
- Mother of Perpetual Help Novena — Tuesdays, 7:00 PM in the Church
- Praise & Worship and Intercessory Prayer — Tuesdays, 7:30–8:30 PM (following the Novena)
- Prayer Service for Healing — First Friday of the month, 7:00 PM in the Church
- Anointing of the Sick — First Saturday of the month, after the 4:30 PM Mass
- Weekly Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart — Fridays at 3:00 PM in the Adoration Chapel
- Spanish Prayer Group — Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Elementary School Library
- Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Statue visits (parishioner requests)
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays in Lent, 7:00 PM
- Eight Night Prayer — Sundays in Lent, 8:00 PM
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults seeking to become Catholic, or baptized Christians preparing to complete initiation, journey through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at Divine Child. Sessions are coordinated by Jodi Ann Micallef (OCIA, Baptism & Worship Coordinator), reachable at 313-277-3110 x 4222 or [email protected]. An Inquiry Form is available on the parish website.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish invites families at every stage to deepen their Catholic faith. Children's Faith Formation covers Kindergarten through 8th grade Religious Education, plus programs for young families and middle-school youth, while parishioners of all ages also enjoy the parish subscription to Formed and the 52 Sundays family prayer resource.
- Religious Education (Grades K–8)
- GIFT — ministry for Young Families
- Middle School / Junior High Ministry
- Scouts (K–12)
- CYO Sports (Grades 4–8)
- Vacation Bible School (K–6)
- Formed — on-demand Catholic streaming (free for parishioners)
- 52 Sundays — family Sunday prayer/devotion resource
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy in a variety of roles at Divine Child, from the sanctuary to the livestream booth. The parish welcomes new members to any of these ministries.
- Altar Care & Altar Linens Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Funeral Assistants
- Liturgical Art and Environment
- Mass Coordinators
- Music Ministry
- Prayers of the Faithful (Petitions)
- Readers (Lectors)
- Video / Livestream Ministry
Sacraments
Divine Child celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The parish describes the sacraments as the very heart of Catholic life: 'the sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist — lay the foundations of every Christian life. During these beautiful encounters with God we are born anew, strengthened, and receive the food of eternal life.'
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
Divine Child Elementary School
The parish elementary school, Divine Child Elementary School, opened on September 9, 1953 with 297 students in grades 1–4 and has grown to accommodate approximately 600 students in grades K–8. As a parish school dedicated to instilling Catholic values and achieving academic excellence, it remains a flagship ministry of the parish.
- Opened September 9, 1953 with 297 students in grades 1–4
- Adds one grade per year through its expansion
- Currently serves ~600 students in grades K–8
- Taught by Bernardine Franciscan Sisters from the outset (1953)
Divine Child High School
Divine Child High School opened its doors on September 4, 1958 to 84 freshmen. Although originally founded as a parish school, it now draws over 800 students from more than 50 zip codes across Metro Detroit. The high school is centered in the teachings of Jesus Christ, the rich Tradition of the Catholic Church, and the call to unconditional love, developing young men and women for lives of responsibility, leadership, and faith in action.
- Opened September 4, 1958 with 84 freshmen
- Currently serves 800+ students from 50+ zip codes
- Address: 1001 North Silvery Lane, Dearborn, MI 48128
- Phone: (313) 562-1990
- Mission: develops students for lives of responsibility, leadership, and faith in action
Outreach and Community Service
The parish reaches beyond its campus in service to the wider Dearborn and Metro Detroit community. The parish participates in Mercy in Action Service Days (such as collecting socks for veterans and human-service agencies in Wayne County), partners with the St. Vincent de Paul conference it shares with Sacred Heart Parish, and hosts American Red Cross blood drives on campus.
- St. Vincent de Paul (Divine Child & Sacred Heart Conference)
- Mercy in Action Service Day (parish-wide annual service event)
- American Red Cross blood drives held at the parish
- Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Statue visits to parishioners
Contact, Hours, and Directions
The parish rectory office is staffed during business hours at 313-277-3110 ext. 1301 (Alicia Reyes). In emergencies when the office is closed, the rectory emergency line attendant relays the call to one of the parish priests. Church doors are open for prayer daily, and the Adoration Chapel welcomes visitors around the clock.
- Rectory Office: 313-277-3110 ext. 1301 (Alicia Reyes)
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Address: 1055 N. Silvery Lane, Dearborn, MI 48128
- Church Hours: Weekdays 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturdays 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sundays 6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Adoration Chapel: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for private prayer
- Sunday Mass livestream for the homebound: 8:00 AM each Sunday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Herbert F. Weier1950–1976
Founding pastor; named Monsignor; oversaw opening of the elementary school (1953), convent (1954), high school (1958), and construction of the current church; Hollander Street renamed Herbert Weier Drive in his honor (1979).
- Rev. Msgr. Herman Kucyk1976–2007
Initially appointed Associate Pastor (Feb 1961), then Co-Pastor (1972), then Pastor (Jan 1, 1976). Celebrated 50th anniversary of ordination in 2007.
- Rev. James Bilot2007–2019
Third pastor; welcomed to the parish on July 1, 2007.
- Rev. Robert J. McCabe2019–present
Fourth pastor, welcomed July 1, 2019. Marks the parish's 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) during his tenure.