Immaculate Heart of Mary

Welcome to Immaculate Heart of Mary

IHM exists to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, overflow with His love, and evangelize. According to Pastor Father Jim Rolph's welcome message, the parish aims to be a place where every person — whatever stage of their faith journey — can grow, be built up and nourished, find community, and be sent out to share the Gospel. Newcomers are invited to register online or pick up a Welcome Packet at the parish office.

Our History

The Diocese of Lansing purchased the IHM property in 1949. The site had previously held the large Jessop house (the Maple Hill Inn and Tavern), a cement block building, and a small gas station. The community was officially erected as Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on July 1, 1949 with about 200 families, and Father Joseph E. Wieber — a Lansing native and WWII Navy veteran — became its first pastor on July 19. Early parishioners converted the old tavern into a chapel and celebrated their first Mass there on October 23, 1949. By 1955 there were over 600 families, prompting the building campaign that produced the current church, dedicated June 30, 1956. A parish grade school followed in 1958, and by 1968 the parish had grown to roughly 1,200 families / 5,000 individuals. Continued growth led to a new gymnasium, opened December 19, 2019, and in 2023 a Parish Leadership Team was established to help guide the parish's mission and priorities.

• 1949: Diocese purchases property; parish established July 1, 1949
• Oct. 23, 1949: First Mass celebrated in the converted tavern chapel
• June 30, 1956: Current church dedicated
• 1958: Parish grade school opens
• 1968: Parish reaches ~1,200 families / ~5,000 individuals
• Dec. 19, 2019: New gymnasium opens
• 2023: Parish Leadership Team (PLT) established

Mission, Core Values & Identity

In 2023 the Parish Leadership Team discerned the parish's mission and identity, asking why IHM exists, how it behaves, and how it will succeed. The resulting statements now guide parish priorities and ministries.

• Mission (WHY): We exist to Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, Overflow with His Love, and Evangelize.
• Core Values (HOW): Follow Jesus Boldly; Act like a Missionary; Walk the Road to Emmaus.
• Identity (WHAT): We pursue Jesus through Worship & Sacraments, Koinonia, Catholic Education, Discipleship, Evangelization, and service to the poor in South Lansing & Holt.
• Strategic Anchors (HOW WE SUCCEED): Sunday Excellence; Events are Encounter Opportunities; Healthy & Effective Ministry Teams.

Parish Staff & Leadership

Day-to-day parish life is led by Pastor Fr. Jim Rolph, supported by Deacon Chris Vida (Director of Pastoral Ministry) and a staff team covering parish operations, music, communications, religious education, and the school. The Parish Leadership Team assists the pastor in aligning staff, volunteers, councils, and parishioners around the parish's direction and priorities. A separate Finance Council serves as the consultative body to the pastor on financial and material administration.

• Fr. Jim Rolph — Pastor
• Deacon Chris Vida — Director of Pastoral Ministry
• Barry Marsh — Business Manager
• Wayne Brown — School Principal
• Shonna Kerrigan — Pre-School Director
• Sarah Kelly — Parish Secretary
• Morgan Alarie — Coordinator of Music Ministry & Parish Life
• Alex Alarie — Musician
• Juliana Jarchow — Communications Coordinator
• Mary Brown — Coordinator of Religious Education

Liturgical Ministries

IHM invites parishioners to serve the liturgy in many roles, from the Adult Choir and cantors to altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters and ushers, and the Art & Environment committee that prepares the worship space for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Children in 5th grade through high school may serve as altar servers after training, and adults are invited to serve at funerals and weekday Masses.

• Adult Choir (Christmas & Easter seasons; must be 18+)
• Altar Servers (grades 5–12; also adults at funerals/weekdays)
• Art & Environment Committee
• Cantors and Instrumentalists
• Church Cleaning volunteers
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Ministers of Hospitality (Greeters and Ushers)
• Plant Care
• Readers (Lectors)
• Sanctuary Care

Parish Life Ministries

Outside the sanctuary, IHM offers many ways for parishioners to share their time and talents — gardening on the parish grounds, helping in the administrative office, baking for parish functions, sending cards to the sick and bereaved, supporting families at funeral luncheons, mentoring engaged couples, and providing hospitality at funerals. Two notable outreach efforts are the Community Meal (prepared and served on the 3rd Sunday of each month for those in need) and Restorative Justice (a pen-pal/prayer-partner program with the incarcerated).

• Adopt a Garden
• Administrative Office Volunteers
• Baking Ministry
• Card Ministry
• Funeral Luncheon Hospitality
• Funeral Hospitality Ministry
• Marriage Prep / Mentor Couple Program
• Restorative Justice
• Community Meal (3rd Sunday of the month)

Faith Formation & Development

Faith formation at IHM spans the youngest children through adults. The parish uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Montessori-style atrium method for preschool and kindergarten-aged children and welcomes assistants and trained lead catechists. For adults interested in becoming Catholic, the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process is coordinated through Deacon Chris Vida, with mentors (facilitators) walking with inquirers through the journey. The Coordinator of Religious Education oversees ongoing K-8 faith formation.

• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Facilitators — contact Deacon Chris Vida, ext. 216
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Assistants
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Lead Catechists (certified training available)
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Mary Brown

Catholic Education: IHM School

Immaculate Heart of Mary School serves students preschool through 8th grade at 3830 Rosemont Avenue. The school partners with parents to develop each child spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically, integrating dignity, mutual respect, cooperation, prayer and service into daily life. The preschool program is licensed by the State of Michigan's Department of Human Services and participates in Great Start to Quality. School office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm for lunch).

• Grades: Preschool through 8th grade
• Address: 3830 Rosemont Ave., Lansing, MI 48910
• Phone: (517) 882-6631; Fax: (517) 393-0855
• Principal: Wayne Brown
• Pastor: Father Jim Rolph
• Preschool Director: Shonna Kerrigan
• Mission: Challenges students to discover God's gifts spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically within a community that nurtures, honors and respects the dignity of the human person.

Other Parish Groups

Beyond the formal ministry list, IHM hosts several recognized parish organizations named in its navigation — including Catholic men's and women's service groups and devotional circles.

• Knights of Columbus
• St. Vincent de Paul
• Hands of Mary Rosary Makers
• Holy Spirit Oratory

Contact & Visit

The parish office is open during regular business hours; the school office is open Monday–Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm for lunch). Visitors and new parishioners are invited to register as members and to stop by the parish office for a Welcome Packet.

• Parish: 3815 South Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910 — (517) 393-3030
• School: 3830 Rosemont Ave., Lansing, MI 48910 — (517) 882-6631
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.ihmlansing.org/