About Our Lady of Consolation · Rockford, Michigan
Our Lady of Consolation Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Rockford, Michigan, in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, serving the northern Kent County community since its founding as a mission in 1964 and establishment as its own parish in 1972. The parish sits at 4865 Eleven Mile Road NE on a 23-acre campus shared with Our Lady of Consolation School (Pre-3 through 8th grade). OLC is best known in the diocese for its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Today the parish is led by Fr. Dominic T. Couturier and offers weekend and weekday Masses, faith formation for all ages (including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium), a school, and a wide array of ministries.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- Our Lady of Consolation (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Dominic T. Couturier
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
OLC welcomes families and individuals into a Christ-centered Catholic community that centers everything on the Eucharist and offers something for every age and stage of life. Weekend and weekday Masses are complemented by one of the few 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapels in the region, a Pre-3 through 8th-grade parish school, Faith Formation from toddler through high school (including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and a robust Confirmation program), and dozens of lay ministries — from Music Ministry and the Adult Choir to a Young Adult Group (18–30), Women's Bible Study, Knit One Pray Too, Millions of Monicas, the Saint Rita Ministry to the homebound, the Lazarus funeral reception ministry, the Parish Health Ministry, and a Safety Team. A long partnership with the Consolata Missionary Sisters continues through the school and an ongoing mission in Ethiopia.
Mass times at Our Lady of Consolation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Private appointments by calling the parish office
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round in the Chapel
- Family Adoration: Mondays and Fridays 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Parish History
Our Lady of Consolation began in 1964 as a mission of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belmont, with about 60 families worshipping in a school gymnasium on 23 acres the Diocese of Grand Rapids had purchased in 1962 at the corner of Northland Drive and Eleven Mile Road. Bishop Allen Babcock dedicated the mission to the Blessed Mother as Our Lady of Consolation in 1968 in honor of the Consolata Missionary Sisters who taught there. The mission became an independent parish in 1972 under its first pastor, Fr. James Cusack. Six pastors have shepherded the parish since, with Fr. Dominic Couturier installed as the current pastor in early 2023 after serving as Canonical Administrator since July 2021.
- 1962 – Diocese purchases 23 acres at Northland Drive & Eleven Mile Road
- 1964 – Mission of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary begins with ~60 families
- 1967 – School and gym/church open; Consolata Sisters teach
- 1968 – Dedicated as Our Lady of Consolation by Bishop Allen Babcock
- 1972 – Becomes an independent parish; Fr. James Cusack named first pastor (198 families)
- 1977 – Begins monthly mission gift to Consolata mission in Ethiopia
- 1984 – New church dedicated by Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck on the Feast of the Epiphany
- 1985 – Bishop Joseph C. McKinney named third pastor (425 families)
- 1992 – Family Center, organ, stained glass, tabernacle and new liturgical furnishings added
- 2002 – 'Growing in Faith' expansion doubles the church and connects it to the school
- 2007 – Fr. Tony Russo named fifth pastor; ~1,700 families registered
- 2021 – Fr. Dominic Couturier arrives as Canonical Administrator
- 2022 – 50th anniversary celebrated with 1st Annual Parish Gala
- 2023 – Fr. Dominic installed as Pastor
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Dominic T. Couturier and is supported by Father Logan McGahan, two permanent deacons (Dcn. Greg Beasley and Dcn. Jim Hessler), a Director of Catechesis (Joshua Hanson), a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd & Sacrament Coordinator (Donna Phillips), a Director of Music and Worship (Mary Harkema), a Middle School Youth Ministry and Confirmation Coordinator (Katy Serba), a Business Manager (Linda Merring), an Administrative Assistant, a Director of Communications, a Facilities Manager, and an Office Assistant.
- Rev. Dominic T. Couturier – Pastor ([email protected], ext. 214)
- Father Logan McGahan
- Deacon Greg Beasley
- Deacon Jim Hessler
- Joshua Hanson – Director of Catechesis
- Donna Phillips – CGS & Sacrament Coordinator
- Mary Harkema – Director of Music and Worship
- Katy Serba – Middle School Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator
- Linda Merring – Business Manager
Faith Formation
OLC Faith Formation is described as a life-long journey open to people of all ages, with programs for children, youth, and adults. The office is staffed Tuesday–Friday 10 AM – 5 PM and can be reached at (616) 866-2577. Programs include the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium (ages 3 through 1st grade), Traditional Elementary Faith Formation for grades 2–5 (using the Ignatius Press 'Word of Life' curriculum), Middle School faith formation for grades 6–8, and High School faith formation for grades 9–12.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) – ages 3 through 1st grade, Montessori-style atrium in room #315
- Traditional Elementary Faith Formation – Grades 2–5, Tuesdays or Wednesdays 4:30–6:00 PM
- Middle School Youth Ministry – Grades 6–8
- High School Youth Ministry – Grades 9–12
- Word of Life curriculum from Ignatius Press
Sacraments
The parish prepares children and youth for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist) and the Sacrament of Healing (Reconciliation). First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation in 8th grade. Children who were not baptized as infants, or who are older than 7 and unbaptized, are assisted through the Faith Formation Office. The parish also welcomes families of children with disabilities and works individually with each family to find the right setting.
- Baptism preparation (infants and older children)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist – 2nd-grade preparation with parents, retreats and meetings
- Confirmation – 8th grade, with weekly meetings, sponsor formation, retreat, and service projects
- Sacrament Coordinator (Reconciliation/Eucharist): Donna Phillips, [email protected], ext. 211
- Confirmation Coordinator: Katy Serba, [email protected], ext. 210
- Holy Orders / Vocations: contact Fr. Dominic Couturier, ext. 214
- Special-needs catechesis supported case-by-case
Our Lady of Consolation School
Our Lady of Consolation School is the parish's Pre-3 through 8th-grade Catholic school, sharing the Eleven Mile Road campus. The school 'actively invites students and their families to a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus through the Sacraments, education, prayer, and service,' and continues to be staffed in part by the Consolata Missionary Sisters. The school has grown grade-by-grade since the early 2000s, adding 7th grade in 2005 and 8th grade in 2006. The office is open Monday–Friday 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM at (616) 866-2427.
- Preschool (Pre-3) and Young 5 through 8th grade
- Principal: Abby Giroux ([email protected], 616-866-2427 x301)
- Consolata Missionary Sisters continue to serve in the school
- Curriculum includes STEM, Music/Band/Choir, Band Director (Bailey Budnik), Student Support Services
- School supported by the OLC Education Foundation
Ministries & Community Life
OLC has an extensive lay ministry program organized under prayer, service, and fellowship categories. Music Ministry (led by Mary Harkema) includes an Adult Choir and cantors. Prayer ministries include Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary Leaders (who lead the Rosary 30 minutes before daily and weekend Masses), Knit One Pray Too, and Millions of Monicas (a group of mothers praying for their children). Service and care ministries include Communion to the Homebound, the Saint Rita Ministry for parishioners in assisted living, the Lazarus Ministry (funeral receptions), the Parish Health Ministry, and the Safety Team. Fellowship ministries include the Welcome Committee, the Friday Morning Women's Bible Study, Women of Our Lady, the Young Adult Group (ages 18–30), the Ladies Game Night (2nd Saturday of the month), and the Nourish for Caregivers Support Group. The Art & Environment committee prepares the worship space.
- Music Ministry (Adult Choir & Cantors) – Director Mary Harkema
- Eucharistic Adoration – 24/7 Perpetual Adoration
- Rosary Leaders – 30 minutes before each Mass
- Knit One, Pray Too!
- Millions of Monicas (mothers praying for children)
- Friday Morning Women's Bible Study
- Women of Our Lady
- Communion to the Homebound / Saint Rita Ministry
- Lazarus Ministry (funeral receptions)
- Parish Health Ministry
- Welcome Committee
- Young Adult Group (18–30)
- Ladies Game Night – 2nd Saturday monthly
- Nourish for Caregivers Support Group
- Art & Environment
- Safety Team
- Pastoral Council
- Education Foundation Board
- School Board
Mission & Outreach
OLC has a long tradition of missionary outreach. The parish has sent a monthly gift to the Consolata mission in Ethiopia since 1977 in honor of its founding by the Consolata Missionary Sisters, and it has organized mission trips to Haiti since 1984. The annual parish auction (formerly 'Better Together', later 'All Dressed Up') and the Parish Gala raise funds for the OLC Education Foundation, which supports the parish school.
- Monthly gift to the Consolata mission in Ethiopia (since 1977)
- Mission trips to Haiti (since 1984)
- Parish Auction benefitting the Education Foundation
- Annual Parish Gala (begun in 2022 for the 50th anniversary)
- Knights of Columbus Lenten fish fry (begun 2021)
Getting Involved & Contact
Newcomers are welcomed by the Welcome Committee and invited to connect through any of the parish's ministries or the Young Adult Group. Suggestions, comments, or feedback can be emailed to [email protected]. A confidential feedback form is also available on the parish website. Employment opportunities with the parish or school are posted on the Contact Us page.
- Parish Office: 4865 Eleven Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341
- Phone: (616) 866-0931 · Fax: (616) 866-3668
- School Office: (616) 866-2427
- Faith Formation Office: (616) 866-2577
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM – 4 PM
- Faith Formation Hours: Tue–Fri 10 AM – 5 PM
- School Hours: Mon–Fri 7:45 AM – 4 PM
- Pastoral Council email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Cusack1972–
Parish's first pastor when it was canonically established in 1972 with 198 families registered; passed away in 2002.
- Fr. Paul Milanowski1978–
Second pastor; 275 families registered at his appointment.
- Bishop Joseph C. McKinney1985–1998
Auxiliary bishop of Grand Rapids, named third pastor; 425 families registered at his appointment.
- Fr. Thomas Page1998–2007
Fourth pastor; reassigned to Muskegon in 2007.
- Fr. Tony Russo2007–2021
Fifth pastor; led parish until July 2021 when he was reassigned to St. Robert of Newminster in Ada.
- Fr. Dominic Couturier2021–
Arrived as Canonical Administrator July 2021; named Pastor by Bishop Walkowiak in late 2022 with installation in early 2023.