About Divine Grace Parish - Maybee · Maybee, Michigan
Divine Grace Parish is a Roman Catholic community in rural Monroe County, Michigan, serving the village of Maybee and the surrounding area. Formed on July 1, 2013, by the merger of St. Joseph Parish of Maybee (est. 1889) and St. Patrick Parish of Carleton (est. 1860), the parish operates across two active worship sites — St. Joseph Church at 9207 Joseph Street in Maybee and St. Patrick Church at 2996 W. Labo Road in Carleton, about six miles apart. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit and, since 2022, has been part of the Monroe Vicariate Family 1 / Three Rivers Family of Parishes. It is also home to St. Patrick Catholic School (PreK–8), one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic schools in Michigan.
- Established
- 2013
- Patron
- St. Joseph (Maybee church site)
- Rector
- Rev. Dr. Michael Woroniewicz (Father Mike) — Priest in Solidum and Moderator of the Three Rivers Family of Parishes
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Monroe Vicariate, South Monroe 1 / Three Rivers Family of Parishes)
Why belong here
Divine Grace welcomes Catholics and newcomers into a small but active rural parish with two historic worship sites, a thriving PreK–8 Catholic school, and a strong sacramental life. The community offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those seeking to become Catholic, religious education for grades K–8, and a wide range of liturgical and service ministries — from Knights of Columbus Council #15932 and the Men's Club to St. Vincent de Paul, CYO athletics, music ministry, and a beloved annual Parish Festival that draws in the wider Carleton and Maybee community.
Mass times at Divine Grace Parish - Maybee
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 pm in Carleton
- By appointment at either parish site (call 734-654-2500)
Our Story: Two Parishes Become Divine Grace
Divine Grace Parish is the 2013 merger of two long-standing Monroe County Catholic communities: St. Patrick in Carleton (est. 1860) and St. Joseph in Maybee (est. 1889). Both churches remain active sites of worship today, with Masses scheduled across both locations throughout the week. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's Monroe Vicariate.
- St. Patrick, Carleton — first Mass celebrated St. Patrick's Day, 1847; parish established December 27, 1860 with Fr. Desiderius Callaert as first resident pastor.
- St. Joseph, Maybee — parish established 1889 in the farming community platted by Abram Maybee and Joseph Klotz.
- Merger effective July 1, 2013 under the Archdiocese of Detroit's 'Together in Faith' program.
- Grouped into Monroe Vicariate Family 1 / Three Rivers Family of Parishes on July 1, 2022.
Clergy and Staff
Divine Grace is led by Father Mike Woroniewicz as Priest in Solidum and Moderator of the Three Rivers Family of Parishes, with permanent deacon Tracy Esper assisting. A small parish staff manages the office, religious education, music, finances, and facilities.
- Rev. Dr. Michael Woroniewicz (Father Mike) — Priest in Solidum and Moderator; previously Rector of SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary and pastor of St. Gabriel Parish; Vicar for the Monroe Vicariate.
- Deacon Tracy M. Esper — ordained October 2017 for the Archdiocese of Detroit; previously served at St. Michael the Archangel in Monroe; Catholic Spiritual Guide at Milan Federal Prison.
- Lisa Nash — Parish Office
- Lisa Gregoria — Business / Finance
- Curtis Posuniak — Music & Choir Director
- Tim Bolster — Director of Religious Education
- Dave Martell — Maintenance, Grounds, Cemeteries
Faith Formation and OCIA
Divine Grace runs a parish-based religious education program for grades K–8, with classes held Sunday mornings at St. Patrick School. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) welcomes adults and children aged 7+ who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholic and seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation.
- Religious Education (K–8): Sunday 9:40–10:50 am at St. Patrick School
- OCIA for unbaptized adults and children 7+
- OCIA for adults baptized in another Christian tradition
- OCIA for baptized Catholics seeking Eucharist and/or Confirmation
- Sacramental preparation in 2nd grade (First Communion) and 8th grade (Confirmation)
- Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
St. Patrick Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Patrick Catholic School, on Labo Road adjacent to the Carleton church, traces its roots to 1848, making it the third-oldest Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Operated in conjunction with Divine Grace Parish, it serves PreK through 8th grade and celebrated its 175th anniversary during the 2023–24 school year.
- Founded 1848 in a log-cabin classroom by German and Irish immigrant families along Stony Creek
- IHM (Immaculate Heart of Mary) Sisters taught continuously from 1868 until 1994
- Original school destroyed by fire May 30, 1926; rebuilt on the same foundation
- Accredited by the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS) since 1995
- Athletic Director: Jessica Teets / Ben Jones
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Divine Grace parishioners serve through a wide range of liturgical, service, and fraternal ministries spanning both worship sites. The annual Parish Festival is a community-wide tradition.
- Knights of Columbus Council #15932 — Mark Leidel, Grand Knight
- Men's Club — John Bozzo
- Parish Festival — Aaron Jones and Bud Mazur
- Christian Service / St. Vincent de Paul
- Church Environment — Rita Beaubien
- Bereavement / Funerals
- Technology — Maury Martin, Joel Grubb
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages assist at Mass as lectors, ushers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, sacristans, altar servers, and members of the music ministry and hospitality team.
- Music Ministry / Choir (Curtis Posuniak)
- Sacristans
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Hospitality & Greeters
- Ministry to the Homebound
Sacraments
Information on preparing for and receiving the sacraments is available through the parish office. Baptisms require a preparation workshop, typically led by Deacon Tracy on the second Sunday of the month, and registration as a parishioner.
- Infant / Child Baptism — Baptism Preparation Workshop required; at least one month before the desired date; families may schedule baptism within Mass.
- First Communion and Confirmation — through the Religious Education program.
- Weddings — contact the parish Wedding Coordinator.
- Bereavement / Funerals — supported through the parish.
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–3:30 pm in Carleton, or by appointment at either site.
- OCIA — for adults and children 7+ seeking full initiation.
Worship Sites and Architecture
Divine Grace Parish maintains two active worship sites, each with its own history and character. Both are listed as part of the parish's sacramental life.
- St. Joseph Church (Maybee) — 9207 Joseph St.; bell 'Susan' (1890), dome above main altar with Holy Spirit, statues of St. Isidore the Farmer, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Therese, Sacred Heart, St. Anthony, St. Jude, St. Michael, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Faustina Kowalska, and the Infant of Prague.
- St. Patrick Church (Carleton) — 2996 W. Labo Rd.; cornerstone laid June 26, 1860; built on land donated by the Wickenheiser family.
- Parish office: 2996 W. Labo Rd., Carleton, MI 48117.
- Office hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday 9 am–2 pm; closed Thursday.
Contact and Getting Involved
New parishioners are invited to register with the parish online or by mail. The parish offers online forms for new-member registration, religious education enrollment, and medical release, and parishioners may indicate interest in ministries and activities when they register.
- Parish Office: 734-654-2500
- New Parishioner Registration form available online
- Religious Education registration: $100/student (max $300/family); $50 sacramental retreat fee
- Parish Festival: annual community event, recently revived under Father Mike Woroniewicz's pastorship
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Rich Lubertic. 2005–2013
Pastor of St. Joseph, Maybee for about eight years before the 2013 merger; reassigned when Divine Grace was formed.
- Rev. John Dumas2013
First pastor of the newly merged Divine Grace Parish; had previously served at St. Patrick, Carleton.
- Rev. Dr. Michael Woroniewicz2013–present
Came to Divine Grace from SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary; also serves as Vicar for the Monroe Vicariate and Moderator of the Monroe Vicariate Family 1 / Three Rivers Family of Parishes (effective July 1, 2022).