About Guardian Angels · Clawson, Michigan
Guardian Angels is a Catholic parish in Clawson, Michigan, in the heart of Oakland County's southern suburbs, belonging to the Archdiocese of Detroit. Tracing its roots to 1920, when the Archdiocese designated Clawson as a mission of what became Holy Name Parish in Birmingham, the community has grown into a spiritually strong and financially stable parish anchored by its own elementary school (K–8) and a long-standing sponsorship of nearby Bishop Foley Catholic High School. The parish is currently shepherded by Fr. Tony Richter (Fr. Anthony Richter), assisted by Deacon Chris Stark, and is part of the Northwest South Oakland 1 Family of Parishes. Its current church, the fourth on or near the same 14 Mile Road property, was dedicated in September 1983 and refreshed in a 2013 renovation of the worship space.
- Established
- 1923
- Patron
- Guardian Angels
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony (Tony) Richter
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Guardian Angels offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life on a single campus: weekend and weekday Mass, Saturday reconciliation, Wednesday Eucharistic adoration, a thriving K–8 parish elementary school (a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School), and active youth, faith formation, and OCIA programs for children and adults. Its service arm — anchored by a parish St. Vincent de Paul council — reaches into the local community through food baskets, nursing home ministry, Jail Outreach for Families, Mary's Children, Loaves and Fishes of Southwest Detroit, and Wee Care, giving parishioners concrete ways to live their baptismal call.
Mass times at Guardian Angels
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (private reconciliation)
- By appointment with the priest (call parish office at 248-588-1222)
Adoration times
- Wednesday Eucharistic Exposition: after the 9:00 AM Mass until 12:00 PM
Our Mission & Purpose
The parish describes itself as 'a people of God' called to pray, to celebrate God's presence, to work in the power of the Holy Spirit for the coming of the Kingdom, and to proclaim Jesus Christ through the Gospel by reaching out to all God's people. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on Facebook so the wider community can join remotely.
Our History
The parish traces its roots to 1920 when the Archdiocese of Detroit designated Clawson as a mission of what became Holy Name Parish in Birmingham; Mass was first celebrated in the old Clawson Theatre. Over a century it has built four successive churches on or near 14 Mile Road (1922, 1929, 1957, and the current building dedicated in 1983), opened its elementary school in 1948, co-sponsored Bishop Foley Catholic High School in 1966, and renovated the worship space in 2013.
- 1920 — Clawson designated a mission of Holy Name Parish (Birmingham); Mass first said in old Clawson Theatre on 14 Mile Road.
- 1922 — First church (a basement church) built on Pare Street; parish hall added next door.
- 1923 — Mission formally identified as Guardian Angels Parish; current 14 Mile Road property purchased.
- 1929 — Pare Street basement church destroyed by fire.
- 1930 — Second church built by parishioners' labor; basement later used as social hall.
- 1948 — Guardian Angels School opens with 232 students.
- 1950s — Two school additions and a convent constructed; rapid suburban growth.
- 1957 — Third church, rectory, and adjoining garage completed.
- 1966 — Bishop Foley Catholic High School opens in Madison Heights (co-sponsored with St. Dennis).
- 1980 — Parish agrees to build a new (fourth) church and convert the 1957 building into the Fr. Bretz Activity Center.
- September 17, 1983 — Current church dedicated.
- Summer 2013 — Worship space fully renovated (lighting, paint, pews, carpet, sanctuary backdrop).
- 2014 — New liturgical furniture designed and installed.
- January 29, 2020 (approx.) — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron joins about a dozen priests and deacons to celebrate the parish's 100th anniversary.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Guardian Angels Faith Formation serves children in grades 1–8 who do not attend the parish school, helping parents pass on the Catholic faith. Classes meet on Mondays from 6:15–7:30 PM, late September through early May. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are celebrated in 2nd grade; Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of 9th grade. Director of Faith Formation John David Kuhar oversees the program, and adult and youth volunteers serve as catechists, catechist assistants, OCIA sponsors, Children's Catechumenate sponsors, and members of the Youth Ministry Team.
- Grades 1–8 classes — Mondays, 6:15–7:30 PM
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — 2nd grade
- Confirmation — fall of 9th grade
- Director: John David Kuhar ([email protected])
- Certification available through the parish, the Vicariate, and the Archdiocese of Detroit
Guardian Angels Catholic School
Guardian Angels Catholic School is a parish-based K–8 elementary school at 521 East 14 Mile Road, opened in 1948 with 232 students. It integrates Catholic belief and morality with academic excellence and was awarded the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon School award. The principal is Molly Van Dusen, who joined after teaching grades 2–8 and earning her K–12 administration degree from Eastern Michigan University.
- Opened fall 1948 with 232 children
- Two additions and a convent added in the early 1950s
- U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School award
- Principal: Mrs. Molly Van Dusen
- School office: (248) 588-5545 / [email protected]
- Address: 521 East Fourteen Mile Rd., Clawson, MI 48017
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at Guardian Angels is directed by Dr. Matthew Daniels, who also directs music at Bishop Foley Catholic High School. Dr. Daniels holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Louisiana State University, has taught voice at Madonna University, University of Michigan–Flint, Eastern Michigan University, Florida Atlantic University, and Indian River State College, and composes contemporary worship music in partnership with International Liturgy Publications (ILP) in Nashville.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Dr. Matthew Daniels
- Partnership with International Liturgy Publications (ILP), Nashville
Service & Justice / Outreach Ministries
The parish's outreach is anchored by a St. Vincent de Paul council that interviews and visits those in need, provides food baskets, helps with medical and utility expenses, and runs a semi-annual clothing collection, plus Oplatki and calendar sales. Guardian Angels also supports Jail Outreach for Families, Mary's Children, Loaves and Fishes of Southwest Detroit, and Wee Care (LIFESPAN), and at Christmas distributes gift cards through the SVdP Giving Tree.
- St. Vincent de Paul Parish Council — Wednesday evening meetings
- Food baskets and help with medical/utility needs
- Semi-annual clothing collection
- Oplatki and calendar sales
- Jail Outreach for Families
- Mary's Children
- Loaves and Fishes of Southwest Detroit (supports five food pantries)
- Wee Care (LIFESPAN) — assistance for young mothers
- SVdP Giving Tree — gift-card distribution at Christmas
Hospitality & Community Engagement
Parish Greeters welcome worshippers at Mass, while the Hospitality Team coordinates the Feast Day/Parish Picnic, Donut Sundays, the Confirmation Reception, and other parish events. Nursing Home Helpers are trained extraordinary ministers who bring the Eucharist monthly to residents in local nursing homes.
- Parish Greeters — welcome and assist parishioners and guests
- Hospitality Team — Feast Day/Parish Picnic, Donut Sundays, Confirmation Reception
- Nursing Home Helpers — monthly Holy Communion visits
Marriage Preparation
Engaged couples who wish to marry at Guardian Angels must complete the parish's Covenant Couples program, consisting of six sessions of pre-marriage preparation taught by trained sponsor couples. The program is offered twice a year (spring and fall) on Sunday afternoons from 1:30–4:30 PM. Reservations for registered parishioners must be made at least six months prior to the wedding date.
- Covenant Couples program — six sessions, spring and fall
- Sunday afternoons, 1:30–4:30 PM
- Contact Steve Petty ([email protected]) to become a sponsor couple
- Reservations required at least six months before wedding date
Clergy & Staff
Guardian Angels is part of the Northwest South Oakland 1 Family of Parishes, sharing Priests In Solidum (Rev. Steven Wertanen, Rev. Donald Demmer, Rev. Colin Fricke, Rev. Dominic Macioce) with neighboring parishes. Day-to-day parish life is led by Pastor Fr. Tony Richter, Pastoral Associate Steve Petty, and Deacon Chris Stark, with Deacon Tommaso Caporuscio also assigned.
- Pastor — Rev. Anthony (Tony) Richter
- Deacon — Christopher Stark
- Deacon — Tommaso Caporuscio
- Priests In Solidum — Rev. Steven Wertanen, Rev. Donald Demmer, Rev. Colin Fricke, Rev. Dominic Macioce
- Pastoral Associate — Steve Petty
- Director of Faith Formation — John David Kuhar
- Director of Music & Liturgy — Dr. Matthew Daniels
- School Principal — Molly Van Dusen
- Business Manager — Michael Karol (CPA; hired October 2018)
- Bookkeeper — Susan Jurczak
- Parish Secretary — Cindy Burlager
- Bulletin Editor — Cristin Joy
- Faith Formation Section Head — Lauren Scanlon
- Faith Formation Secretary — Barb Alcini
Family of Parishes
Guardian Angels belongs to the Northwest South Oakland 1 Family of Parishes within the Northwest Region of the Archdiocese of Detroit, South Oakland Vicariate. The arrangement shares pastoral leadership (Priests In Solidum) across neighboring parishes to better serve the region's Catholic faithful.
- Region: Northwest Region
- Vicariate: South Oakland Vicariate
- Family: Northwest South Oakland 1
Contact & Visit
The parish office is at 581 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson, MI 48017, phone (248) 588-1222. The Faith Formation / school office can be reached at (248) 588-5545. Masses, Saturday confession, Wednesday adoration, and a wide range of ministries are open to anyone who wishes to join the Guardian Angels faith community.
- Parish address: 581 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson, MI 48017
- Parish phone: (248) 588-1222
- Parish email: [email protected]
- School phone: (248) 588-5545
- School email: [email protected]
- Website: https://guardiana.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/GuardianAngelsParish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Tony RichterSummer 2018 – present
Assigned to Guardian Angels in summer 2018. Ordained June 2003; previously served at St. John Neumann/All Saints (Canton), Our Lady Queen of Angels (SW Detroit), Christ the Good Shepherd (Lincoln Park), and as pastor delegate at Gabriel Richard HS (Riverview).