About Most Sacred Heart of Jesus · Mount Pleasant, Michigan
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Mount Pleasant, Michigan is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Saginaw that traces its roots to 1872, when 15 founding families gathered on three donated acres to establish what was first known as St. Charles parish. Today, with more than 1,088 registered families, the parish runs a thriving PreK-12 academy (Sacred Heart Academy), celebrates Mass seven days a week, hosts a Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration hour, and serves the wider Mount Pleasant community through religious education, youth ministry, and outreach to the hungry, sick, and stranger. Under the pastorate of Fr. Andrew D. Booms and two parochial vicars, the parish presents itself as 'One Community, One Spirit, One Heart.'
- Established
- 1872
- Patron
- Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew D. Booms
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 4)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers the full rhythm of a large, active Catholic life: Mass seven days a week, weekly Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, regular confession times, a Kinder-Prep through 12 academy, religious education for K-12 public-school students, a Confirmation program rooted in the new diocesan 'Purpose' track, and a youth ministry serving grades 6-12. Rooted in 1872 and guided by a pastor who describes it as 'over 150 years old,' the parish explicitly invites newcomers to 'feed the hungry, visit the sick, and welcome the stranger.' With 1,088 registered families it is large enough to offer real programs yet small enough to know the people in the pews.
Mass times at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 11:00 a.m.
- Saturday: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Monday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 12:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish traces its beginning to August 8, 1872, when 15 founding families took root on three acres of donated land in Mount Pleasant. Originally called St. Charles, the parish built a wooden church in the 1870s, then a brick church whose cornerstone was laid August 22, 1888. About that same time — and as Pope Leo XIII raised the Feast of the Sacred Heart to a first-class feast — the parish was renamed Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The current (third) church on South Kinney Avenue was completed in 1968, and the 1888 brick predecessor was struck by lightning in 1978 and later demolished. Sacred Heart Academy has operated continuously since opening in the converted old church building on August 30, 1889.
- Founded August 8, 1872, by 15 families on three donated acres
- Original name: St. Charles parish
- Wooden church completed c. 1877; brick church cornerstone laid Aug. 22, 1888
- Renamed Most Sacred Heart of Jesus around 1889
- Current (third) church completed 1968; Christmas Eve Mass celebrated that year
- 1888 brick church struck by lightning in August 1978 and later demolished
Sacred Heart Academy
Sacred Heart Academy is the parish's PreK-12 school, opening August 30, 1889 in the converted old church building with 150 students on opening day. A new academy building was begun in 1906 and completed in 1908 behind the church; the school has expanded in stages over the decades and continues today as one of the Diocese of Saginaw's continuing Kinder-Prep through 12 schools. Ann Roberge serves as Director of Religious Education for parish families with children in public schools; Abby Jones directs Youth Ministry for grades 6-12.
- Founded 1889 — one of the Diocese of Saginaw's continuing K-12 schools
- Early operation by Dominican sisters (e.g., Sister Ligu was among first principals)
- Academy building completed 1908 behind the 1888 church
- 1955 addition; 1964 elementary school at East Michigan and South Franklin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education for K-6th grade students who attend local public schools is held Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Academy's Elementary School, using the 'Alive in Christ' textbook series from Our Sunday Visitor (Diocese of Saginaw-approved). The parish makes clear that 'no child shall be turned away' for inability to pay and supports families in their role as the first teachers of the faith.
- K-6 classes: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Curriculum: 'Alive in Christ' (Our Sunday Visitor)
- Director: Ann Roberge ([email protected])
- Sliding tuition: $65 one child, $70 two, $75 three+; $10 non-refundable family registration fee
- Financial-aid assurance: 'No child shall be turned away'
Confirmation Preparation (Sacrament)
Following a diocesan-wide decision, Sacred Heart prepares youth for Confirmation beginning at a minimum age of 12 using the two-year 'Purpose' track from LifeTeen. Families with a son or daughter entering the program contact both the Youth Minister and the Director of Religious Education.
- Two-year 'Purpose' (LifeTeen) program
- Minimum age 12 by December 31 of the start year
- Contacts: Abby Jones ([email protected]) and Ann Roberge ([email protected])
Youth Ministry
The parish's Youth Program serves students in 6th through 12th grade with a threefold emphasis: involvement in Mass, service to the parish, and service to the larger community. Events include retreats, social activities, and community service projects. Many events take place at the parish Youth House, 216 S. Kinney Ave., Mount Pleasant.
- Open to grades 6-12
- Retreats, social activities, community service
- Youth House: 216 S. Kinney Ave., Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
- Youth Minister: Abby Jones (CMU graduate; [email protected])
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Formation team brings parishioners together to study and grow, offering multi-day parish missions, group presentations, book clubs and ongoing study groups throughout the year. The team curates online resources for scripture (USCCB daily readings), music, virtual tours of the Holy Land, video reflections and podcasts, and Lent-at-home family activities for those studying at home.
- Parish missions, book clubs, study groups
- USCCB daily readings
- Lent-at-home family activities from Loyola Press
- Diocese of Saginaw Stations of the Cross video
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Adults seeking to become Catholic — or baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church — are served through the parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) process under Deacon James Damitio, who is listed as 'Permanent Deacon / OCIA' on the parish leadership roster.
- Led by Deacon James Damitio
- Contact via parish office: (989) 772-1385
Parish Staff & Clergy
Sacred Heart is led by a pastor assisted by two parochial vicars and three permanent deacons (one emeritus). Lay staff include a business manager, secretary, Director of Religious Education, Director of Music, and Youth Minister. The parish sits in Vicariate 4 of the Diocese of Saginaw.
- Pastor: Rev. Andrew D. Booms ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Matthew Gembrowski; Rev. Daniel Christe
- Deacons: Dcn. James Damitio (OCIA); Dcn. Matthew Begres; Dcn. Larry Fussman (emeritus)
- Business Manager: Brian Assmann
- Secretary: Mark Szymczak
- Director of Religious Education: Ann Roberge
- Director of Music: Mina Son
- Youth Minister: Abby Jones
Parish Office & Contact
Parish office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday. The parish office is reachable at (989) 772-1385, with individual staff reachable by direct email.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
- Main phone: (989) 772-1385
- Parish emails: [email protected] (pastor); [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father T. J. O'Connor
Listed as 'the present priest of the parish' in the parish's own academy historical notes (era of 8 Dominican sisters and 1,200+ members).