About Light of Christ (St. Peter the Apostle) · Blissfield, Michigan
Light of Christ Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Lansing serving the southeastern Michigan communities of Blissfield and Deerfield, nine miles apart on the Ohio border, and the surrounding villages of Petersburg, Britton, Riga, and Palmyra. Formed on July 1, 2010, it united the historic parishes of St. Peter the Apostle (founded 1910 in Blissfield) and St. Alphonsus (Deerfield) under one pastor, with Mass and ministry offered at both church sites. Today the parish is home to almost 700 families in a primarily agricultural region and lives out the mission statement its members drafted together: "We, a Catholic community united in faith, bring the light of Christ to God's people through worship, education and service."
- Established
- 2010
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle (Blissfield site); St. Alphonsus (Deerfield site)
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey A. Poll
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
Light of Christ is a welcoming two-site parish where nearly 700 families in the rural Blissfield–Deerfield area gather for worship, formation, and service. Sunday Mass is celebrated every weekend at both St. Peter the Apostle (Blissfield) and St. Alphonsus (Deerfield) — with Saturday Vigil and live-streamed Sunday Masses — and the parish offers a complete sacramental life including a weekly Saturday Confession slot, Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and RCIA for adults and youth. A strong Education Commission oversees lifelong faith formation from preschool through high school Confirmation, plus Vacation Bible School and seasonal adult programs in Advent and Lent, while the Social Concerns Commission operates a monthly food pantry, the Christmas Basket Project, and Meals on Wheels delivery — giving parishioners concrete ways to bring the light of Christ to their neighbors.
Mass times at Light of Christ (St. Peter the Apostle)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 3:00-4:00 PM, at the alternating site of the Saturday Vigil Mass
- Advent Communal Reconciliation: 7:00 PM at the Deerfield and Blissfield sites (announced in the bulletin — see the parish's December schedule for current dates)
Adoration times
- During Lent's 24 Hours for the Lord (annual): Friday 5:00-10:00 PM at St. Alphonsus (Deerfield); Saturday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM at St. Peter the Apostle (Blissfield), with a priest available
Parish History & Merger
Light of Christ Parish was established on July 1, 2010, uniting the historic congregations of St. Peter the Apostle in Blissfield and St. Alphonsus in Deerfield. For eleven months before the merger, the two communities — under founding pastor Rev. Jack Loughran, O.S.F.S., and a Transition Team with members from both sites — collaborated on the practical and pastoral work of becoming one parish. Together they produced the parish's mission statement: 'We, a Catholic community united in faith, bring the light of Christ to God's people through worship, education and service.' At the merger, St. Peter the Apostle brought 320 families and St. Alphonsus brought 350, forming a combined community of almost 700 families across southeastern Michigan on the Ohio border.
- Merger effective July 1, 2010
- Founding pastor: Rev. Jack Loughran, O.S.F.S. (2010-2015)
- Mission: 'We, a Catholic community united in faith, bring the light of Christ to God's people through worship, education and service.'
- Today: almost 700 families across Blissfield, Deerfield, Petersburg, Britton, Riga, and Palmyra
St. Peter the Apostle (Blissfield)
The history of the Blissfield parish begins with local Catholics traveling the nine miles to Deerfield by horse and buggy for Mass. The community was formally founded in 1910, with the first Masses celebrated in family homes and later in the former Eagles Lodge above the local drug store. In 1912 a church was erected on South Lane Street, with a priest who also served as chaplain of St. Joseph's Academy in Adrian. The original church burned to its foundation in the mid-1920s; during the rebuild the congregation worshipped at the American Legion Hall, and a new church was completed on the same site in 1928.
- Parish founded 1910
- Church built on South Lane St. in 1912
- Original church burned in mid-1920s; rebuilt on same site, completed 1928
- 320 families at time of 2010 merger
St. Alphonsus (Deerfield)
The Deerfield community was founded by French and Irish Catholic settlers from the northeastern United States and Canada who came to farm the land, and many current parishioners are descendants of those original families. The first priests to serve the area were Redemptorists. The community's first church — used from 1896 — was a log cabin; it was replaced by a small church at the current Deerfield site, which in turn was succeeded by the present church, built with a great deal of volunteer labor and donated materials from parishioners.
- Catholic community settled by French and Irish immigrants
- First served by Redemptorist priests
- Original log-cabin church used from 1896
- Current church is the parish's third building, built largely by volunteer labor
- 350 families at time of 2010 merger
Christmas & Holy Day Schedule
Published Christmas Mass schedule: Christmas Eve (December 24) — 4:00 PM at St. Alphonsus, Deerfield; 6:00 PM at St. Peter the Apostle, Blissfield. Christmas Day (December 25) — 9:00 AM at St. Alphonsus, Deerfield; 11:00 AM at St. Peter the Apostle, Blissfield. For Holy Days of Obligation such as the Immaculate Conception, the parish typically offers a 9:00 AM Mass at St. Alphonsus and a 7:00 PM Mass at St. Peter the Apostle, with additional Advent Communal Reconciliation services scheduled around the season.
- Christmas Eve: 4:00 PM Deerfield, 6:00 PM Blissfield
- Christmas Day: 9:00 AM Deerfield, 11:00 AM Blissfield
- Immaculate Conception (Dec 8): 9:00 AM Deerfield, 7:00 PM Blissfield
- Advent Reconciliation Services at 7:00 PM (dates vary — see bulletin)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Parents preparing for Baptism are invited to contact the parish office; Reconciliation preparation and First Eucharist are part of the second-grade Religious Education program; Confirmation is a two-year program beginning in ninth grade and concluded in the spring of sophomore year. The Sacrament of the Sick and homebound Communion visits are arranged by calling the parish office, and couples are asked to contact the pastor nine to twelve months before their preferred wedding date. Adults and older youth seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are served through RCIA, which meets in the fall at the Parish Center in Deerfield — the first weeks are informational and open to anyone inquiring about the Catholic faith.
- Baptism — contact the Parish Office (517-447-3500)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — second-grade program
- Confirmation — two-year program, grades 9-10
- Sacrament of the Sick & homebound visits — call the office
- Marriage — contact pastor 9-12 months in advance
- RCIA — fall sessions at Parish Center in Deerfield; first weeks informational
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Education Commission fosters the lifelong faith formation of all parishioners, from preschool through adulthood. Religious Education for Grades 1-8 is offered on identical tracks at both the St. Peter and St. Alphonsus campuses; the Elementary program uses RCL-Benziger's Faith First Legacy Edition, while the Middle School program (Grades 7-8) uses Loyola Press's Finding God. A High School program includes Confirmation preparation beginning in ninth grade and concluding in the spring of sophomore year, with continuing instruction in faith, social and service activities, and retreats. Adult Faith Formation includes seasonal programs during Lent and Advent, in addition to RCIA.
- Grades 1-8 Religious Education at both campuses
- Elementary curriculum: Faith First Legacy Edition (RCL-Benziger)
- Middle School (Grades 7-8): Finding God (Loyola Press)
- High School / Confirmation (Grades 9-10)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Vacation Bible School
- Adult Faith Formation (Lent/Advent seasonal programs)
- RCIA for Adults and RCIA Adapted for Children/Youth
Music Ministry
Music is described by the parish as 'the universal language' and serves as an essential part of every liturgical celebration. The Music Director coordinates music for both worship sites — selecting literature, conducting rehearsals, preparing cantors and choir, and coordinating accompanists — with the goal of making each service a prayerful and spiritual experience for parishioners and guests. The Music Director also works privately with cantors on vocal technique and diction, and the choir rehearses to assure a beautiful blend and harmony. The parish encourages anyone considering music ministry to reach out with questions. The director has received the 2015 MSVMA Emeritus Award and continues as an adjudicator/clinician for school music festivals, and also teaches voice and piano privately.
- Music Director coordinating both sites
- Adult choir, cantors, and accompanists at both churches
- Music Coordinator assists the Director
- Private cantor vocal coaching offered
- Anyone interested in music ministry is encouraged to contact the Director
Pastoral Council & Commissions
The parish's collaborative ministry is organized through four commissions, each chaired by a parishioner and supported by staff. The Pastoral Council itself consists of eight parishioners plus the pastor and is consultative and collaborative — in the first three years the membership equally represents the historical communities (four members from each site). The Council meets monthly and shares its minutes with the parish community; any parishioner may submit an agenda item through any member.
- Pastoral Council — 8 parishioners + pastor; consultative; meets monthly
- Education Commission — chaired by Deanna Burke ([email protected])
- Social Concerns / Social Ministry Commission — chaired by Leanne Goodin ([email protected])
- Finance Commission — administers the temporal goods of the parish
- Evangelization Commission
Social Ministry & Outreach
The Parish Social Ministry Commission is the parish's organized effort to serve those in need, advocate for justice, and work at changing societal structures that perpetuate injustice. It empowers the entire parish community to fulfill the Gospel mandate of charity and justice, and it coordinates several concrete ministries: a Food Pantry that is open for service the 2nd Wednesday of each month; local migrant ministry; seasonal Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets; and coordination of Meals on Wheels delivery drivers from the parish several weeks per year. The Knights of Columbus also assemble and deliver Christmas baskets from the Blissfield parish hall.
- Food Pantry — 2nd Wednesday of each month
- Migrant Ministry — local efforts
- Thanksgiving and Christmas Basket projects
- Meals on Wheels — delivery drivers coordinated several weeks per year
- Knights of Columbus Christmas Basket Assembly & Distribution (Blissfield Hall)
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a small but dedicated staff of clergy and lay ministers at both worship sites.
- Rev. Jeffrey A. Poll — Pastor (assignments, 2015)
- Deanna Burke — Director of Religious Education (Pre-school – High School), Sacramental Records & Parish Data
- Karen Nevins — Director of Music
- Rose Piotter — Music Coordinator
- Leanne Goodin — Bulletin Editor & Ministry Scheduling; chairperson of Social Concerns Commission
- Susan Cousino — Business Manager / Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Kim Diver — Maintenance Director
- Jeff Simpson — Maintenance Staff
- Logan Kastel — Maintenance Staff
Contact, Office Hours & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone at 517-447-3500 or by email at [email protected]. The Parish Office, located in Deerfield, is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (summer hours after Memorial Day through Labor Day: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). The parish encourages new families to register and welcomes visitors to join them for Sunday Mass soon.
- Parish Office: 222 Carey St., Deerfield, MI 49238
- Phone: 517-447-3500
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tues & Thurs, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (summer 8:00 AM-4:00 PM)
- Parish Registration available via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jack Loughran, O.S.F.S.2010-2015
Founding pastor who oversaw the merger of St. Peter the Apostle and St. Alphonsus; Oblate of St. Francis de Sales; reassigned in July 2015 to become Director of Formation for the American Provinces of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and Director of the Oblate House of Studies in Washington, D.C.
- Rev. Jeffrey A. Poll2015-present
Diocese of Lansing priest, ordained June 11, 2005 at St. Thomas the Apostle, East Lansing. Previously served at St. Patrick, Brighton; Queen of the Miraculous Medal, Jackson; and as pastor of St. Mary, Durand and St. Joseph, Gaines. A 1989 graduate of Deerfield High School — making his return to the area a homecoming.