About Our Lady of Grace Parish - St. Agnes · Sanford, Michigan
Our Lady of Grace Parish of Sanford is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Saginaw, anchored by St. Agnes Church at 2500 N. West River Road in Sanford, Michigan. The parish is a two-church family that also includes St. Anne Church in nearby Edenville, and it is served by Capuchin Franciscan priests. Parish life centers on daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the rosary, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), faith formation for children in Pre-K through 8th grade, and pastoral and finance councils led by lay parishioners.
- Established
- 1895
- Patron
- Our Lady of Grace (parish patroness); St. Agnes (church patroness)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel J. Fox, OFM Cap.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 4)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Grace offers a small, close-knit Catholic home in the Sanford–Edenville area where parishioners are known by name. Daily Mass is celebrated four days a week, plus two Sunday Masses at St. Agnes and a Saturday Vigil at St. Anne, and the parish schedules weekly adoration, a monthly Family Hour of Prayer and Benediction, and a daily rosary before weekday Mass. Families can enroll children in Pre-K through 8th-grade faith formation, and adults can journey through OCIA, while two parish secretaries, a music director, and active Pastoral and Finance Councils make it easy to get involved.
Mass times at Our Lady of Grace Parish - St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00–3:00 PM (St. Agnes, Sanford)
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 PM (St. Anne, Edenville)
- 1st Friday 8:15–9:00 AM (St. Agnes)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- St. Agnes Church: Fridays for one hour following the 9:00 AM Mass
- St. Agnes Church: Last Wednesday of each month, 1:00–6:00 PM
- Family Hour of Prayer & Benediction: Last Wednesday of each month, 6:00–7:00 PM (St. Agnes)
History of Our Lady of Grace Parish
Catholic life in Sanford began in the 1890s. Property was purchased for a church on Smith Road on February 27, 1895, and the main body of St. Agnes was finished in 1897, with the first Mass celebrated that October. A steeple was added in 1907, and the sanctuary and sacristy were enlarged in late 1916, followed by an interior remodeling in 1917. The original church stood next to the Sanford School (built in 1910) for more than 60 years.
- 1895: Property purchased on Smith Road for a new Catholic church
- 1897: Main body of St. Agnes Church completed; first Mass celebrated in October
- 1907: Steeple added
- 1916–1917: Sanctuary, sacristy, and interior remodeled
- 1946: Our Lady of Grace Parish of Sanford formally organized
- 1959: Current St. Agnes Church built on N. West River Road
- Early 1960s: Original Smith Road church torn down
- Today: Parish unites St. Agnes (Sanford) with St. Anne (Edenville)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs a Faith Formation program for children from Pre-K through 8th grade, coordinated by Lindsay English. Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is part of this ministry.
- Faith Formation (PreK–8th grade) — Coordinator: Lindsay English ([email protected])
- Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Family-oriented sacramental preparation
OCIA and Adult Ministry
Adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are welcomed into the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. The parish also runs a broader Adult Ministry for ongoing formation and spiritual growth.
- OCIA — Marybeth Stuart ([email protected])
- OCIA — Debbie McGraw ([email protected])
- Adult Ministry (ongoing formation and faith enrichment)
Parish Staff and Leadership
Our Lady of Grace is pastorally served by Capuchin Franciscan priests. Day-to-day operations are run by two parish secretaries, a bookkeeper, a faith formation coordinator, two OCIA / adult ministry leaders, and a music director. Two lay-led councils help guide the parish's spiritual and financial life.
- Rev. Daniel J. Fox, OFM Cap. — Pastor ([email protected])
- Marcia Kosnik — Secretary ([email protected])
- Debbie Sherwood — Secretary ([email protected])
- Susan St. Onge — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Lindsay English — Faith Formation, PreK–8
- Marybeth Stuart — OCIA & Adult Ministry
- Debbie McGraw — OCIA & Adult Ministry
- Ceil Duley — Music Director
- Chris Streeter — Pastoral Council Chair
- James Weisbrodt — Finance Council Chair
Music and Liturgy
Music for parish liturgies is coordinated by Music Director Ceil Duley, supporting weekend Masses, weekday Masses, holy days, and special devotional events such as the Family Hour of Prayer and Benediction.
- Music Director: Ceil Duley
- Supports weekend Masses at St. Agnes and St. Anne
- Supports weekday Masses, Holy Days, and Benediction services
Parish Office and Contact
The parish office handles administrative needs and is the main point of contact for sacramental scheduling, faith formation registration, and general inquiries.
- Address: 2500 N West River Road, Sanford, MI 48657
- Phone: (989) 687-5657
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.ourladyofgracemi.org
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM for lunch)