About Our Lady of Loretto · Redford, Michigan
Our Lady of Loretto is a Catholic parish in Redford, Michigan, established on June 26, 1953 by Cardinal Edward Mooney of Detroit. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit and is part of the South Northwest Wayne 3 Family of Parishes alongside St. Valentine, St. John XXIII, and St. Genevieve–St. Maurice. Since 2007 it has been served by the Pallottine Fathers (Society of the Catholic Apostolate, S.A.C.) from India, and today is staffed by two Priests in Solidum, a deacon, and a lay mission support director.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Our Lady of Loretto (the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy House of Loreto)
- Rector
- Fr. Manuel Fernandes, S.A.C. (Priest in Solidum) — with Fr. Thomas Simon Lobo, S.A.C. (Priest in Solidum) and Deacon Ron Vader
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Northwest Wayne Vicariate; South Northwest Wayne 3 Family of Parishes)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Loretto is a long-established Redford parish where generations of families have worshipped since 1953, and today offers daily Mass, Saturday Reconciliation, Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, and a full Sunday liturgy. Its parish commissions — Christian Service, Education, Health, Music, Worship, Parish Council, and the Usher's Club — give parishioners concrete ways to live out their faith, and a disabilities representative and sick/Communion-call ministry ensure no one is left out. As part of the new South Northwest Wayne 3 Family of Parishes, it shares weekday Mass responsibilities with neighboring St. Valentine, bringing a wider community of faithful together.
Mass times at Our Lady of Loretto
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 pm
Adoration times
- Tuesday — Eucharistic Adoration begins immediately after the 8:30 am Mass and continues until noon, concluding with Benediction at 12:00 pm
About Our Lady of Loretto Parish
Our Lady of Loretto is a Catholic parish serving Redford, Michigan, in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Founded in 1953, it has ministered to generations of western Wayne County Catholics and today works together with nearby parishes in the South Northwest Wayne 3 Family of Parishes. The parish is staffed by two Pallottine Priests in Solidum, a deacon, and lay staff including a Director of Religious Education and a Mission Support Director.
- Located at 17116 Olympia, Redford, MI 48240
- Phone: 313-534-9000
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Detroit (Northwest Wayne Vicariate)
- Family of Parishes: South Northwest Wayne 3
Parish History
Cardinal Edward Mooney established the parish on June 26, 1953, with Fr. Clair J. Berry as the founding pastor. The first Masses were celebrated at Bulman Elementary School, and construction of the present church began that October. The church was dedicated by Cardinal Mooney on December 10, 1954.
- June 26, 1953 – parish established by Cardinal Mooney
- Oct 26, 1953 – construction began on the church
- May 23, 1954 – first Masses in the new church
- Dec 10, 1954 – church dedicated by Cardinal Mooney
- Sept 9, 1954 – first school classes in the church basement
- Sept 8, 1955 – new school building completed
- June 10, 1956 – first 8th-grade graduation
- May 1985 – became Westside center for West Detroit Catholic Deaf
- Jan 24, 1988 – Family Activities Center blessed and opened
- June 5, 2007 – final school Mass before closure
- June 30, 2007 – Fr. Ralph Besterwitch becomes first Pallottine pastor
Parish Staff & Leadership
Our Lady of Loretto is led by two Pallottine Priests in Solidum, supported by a deacon, a Mission Support Director, and dedicated lay staff overseeing religious education, music, the parish bulletin, and parish council operations.
- Fr. Manuel Fernandes, S.A.C. – Priest in Solidum
- Fr. Thomas Simon Lobo, S.A.C. – Priest in Solidum
- Deacon Ron Vader – 248-767-9199
- Doug Buday – Mission Support Director
- Joanell Pond – Office Assistant ([email protected])
- Donna Kohn – Director of Religious Education
- Paul Lusch – 10 am Sunday Mass Music
- Marcia Elam – Bulletin Editor
- Maryann Aiton – Parish Core Committee Chair
- Sandie Brown – Disabilities Representative
Parish Organizations & Commissions
Parish life at Our Lady of Loretto is shaped by a set of commissions and organizations that involve parishioners in worship, formation, outreach, and parish governance. These groups meet regularly and report to the Parish Council (Parish Core Committee).
- Education Commission
- Christian Service Commission
- Health Ministry
- Music Ministry
- Parish Council (Parish Core Committee)
- Usher's Club
- Worship Commission
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education at Our Lady of Loretto is directed by Donna Kohn, working with the parish's Education Commission to form children and adults in the Catholic faith. The parish school, which opened in the church basement in 1954 and moved into its own building in 1955, closed in 2007; faith formation now continues through parish-based programs.
- Director of Religious Education: Donna Kohn
- Education Commission oversees parish formation programs
Music & Liturgy
The parish's Music Ministry, led by Paul Lusch for the 10:00 am Sunday Mass, supports sung worship at Our Lady of Loretto. The Worship Commission coordinates liturgical ministers including ushers and altar servers, the latter with a published weekly schedule and a prayer prepared for those who serve at the altar.
- 10 am Sunday Mass Music: Paul Lusch ([email protected])
- Worship Commission
- Usher's Club
- Altar Servers (with published schedule)
Outreach, Service & Care for the Sick
The Christian Service Commission and the parish's care ministries put faith into action. Parishioners are visited when sick, and Communion can be brought to those who are homebound; the parish asks that the Rectory be notified when a visit is needed. A Disabilities Representative (Sandie Brown) helps ensure full inclusion of parishioners with disabilities.
- Christian Service Commission
- Sick & Communion Calls – notify the Rectory
- Disabilities Representative – Sandie Brown, 313-531-6192
- Catholic Services Appeal participation (2025 parish goal: $37,983)
Parish Life & Community Groups
Beyond the Mass schedule, Our Lady of Loretto hosts a variety of weekly gatherings that build community. A Bible Study meets Wednesday evenings, the OLL Intercessory Prayer Group meets Thursday mornings, and Mary's Cardio gathers in Berry/Ryan Hall on Mondays and Tuesdays. Recovery groups — A.A. on Sunday evenings and N.A. on Wednesday evenings — also meet at the parish.
- Wednesday 6:30 pm – Bible Study
- Thursday 10:30 am – OLL Intercessory Prayer Group
- Mon & Tue 7:00 pm – Mary's Cardio (Berry/Ryan Hall)
- Sunday 7:00 pm – A.A.
- Wednesday 6:30 pm – N.A.
Family of Parishes: South Northwest Wayne 3
As part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's restructuring, Our Lady of Loretto is grouped with neighboring parishes into the South Northwest Wayne 3 Family of Parishes. The family shares clergy and weekday Mass responsibilities, with Our Lady of Loretto hosting Monday and Tuesday daily Mass and St. Valentine hosting Wednesday through Friday. Listening sessions and a parish-data review were held in summer 2025 in preparation for further collaboration.
- Our Lady of Loretto – 17116 Olympia, Redford 48240
- St. Valentine – 25881 Dow Ave, Redford 48239
- St. John XXIII – 12100 Beech Daly, Redford 48239
- St. Genevieve – St. Maurice – 29015 Jamison, Livonia 48154
- Weekday Mass rotation between OLL and St. Valentine
Visit, Register & Contact
New parishioners are asked to register in person at the parish office. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sacramental certificates can be requested through the parish office via the online form.
- Address: 17116 Olympia, Redford, MI 48240
- Phone: 313-534-9000
- Fax: 313-534-6744
- Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–3:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am–1:00 pm
- Register in person at the parish office
- Sacrament Certificate Request Form available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Clair J. Berry1953 – November 25, 1966
Founding pastor appointed by Cardinal Mooney; oversaw construction of the church and school.
- Fr. Robert V. Ryan1966 – January 7, 1985
Second pastor; assisted by Fr. Roodbeen as Coadjutor from 1982 due to declining health.
- Fr. Henry W. RoodbeenInstalled as pastor February 27, 1983
Became coadjutor in 1982 and was installed as pastor in 1983.
- Fr. Ricardo BassJuly 18, 1988
Fourth pastor.
- Fr. Ron EssmanJanuary 21, 1990
- Fr. Arnold D'AchilleApril 6, 1992 – July 1, 1992
Appointed interim pastor.
- Fr. Joseph EsperJuly 1, 1992 – 2000
- Fr. J.J. MechJuly 1, 2000 – 2007
Last diocesan priest to serve at Our Lady of Loretto; presided at the final school Mass on June 5, 2007.
- Fr. Ralph Besterwitch, S.A.C.June 30, 2007 – July 1, 2010
First Pallottine pastor, beginning Indian Pallottine community's service to the parish.
- Fr. Socorro FernandesJuly 1, 2010
Listed on the parish's history page as pastor.