About Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish - St. Felix of Valois · Kinde, Michigan
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is a merged Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 1) formed in 2013 by Bishop Joseph R. Cistone from the union of St. Roch Parish in Caseville, St. Francis Borgia Parish in Pigeon, and St. Felix of Valois Parish in Pinnebog. The parish worships primarily at St. Roch Church in Caseville (the parish church) and St. Francis Borgia Church in Pigeon (an additional worship site), while St. Felix of Valois Church in Pinnebog — a French-Canadian foundation dating to 1873 — has been designated for occasional use only and has been closed since 2024 because of structural deterioration. Today the parish is led by Parochial Administrator Fr. George I. Amos and serves the Thumb of Michigan along the Lake Huron shoreline with weekend and weekday Masses, OCIA/RCIA, family faith formation, lay ministry, and traditional devotions including Stations of the Cross, Fatima rosary, and Bible study.
- Established
- 1873 (St. Felix of Valois Church, Pinnebog); 1899 (St. Felix established as an independent parish); 2013 (Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish formed by merger)
- Patron
- St. Felix of Valois (originally); the church later came to be associated with St. Felix I, Pope and Martyr, whose statue was placed in the building
- Rector
- Rev. George I. Amos (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 1)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish keeps alive the deep Catholic faith of Michigan's Thumb — a heritage that began with French-Canadian, Irish, and German settlers along the Pinnebog River in 1859. Today the parish offers the regular rhythm of weekend and weekday Mass at St. Roch in Caseville and St. Francis Borgia in Pigeon, complemented by Eucharistic adoration, First Saturday and First Friday devotions, Stations of the Cross in Lent, the monthly Fatima Rosary, and ongoing Bible study. Two commissioned Lay Ministers walk alongside Fr. George Amos to support homebound parishioners, RCIA/OCIA, family faith formation for children and adults, marriage preparation, and funeral ministries — making OLPH a place where every age, from little ones preparing for First Communion to older Catholics discerning a final vocation, can be accompanied in faith.
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish - St. Felix of Valois
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Roch Church (Caseville): First Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
- St. Francis Borgia Church (Pigeon): First Fridays, 10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Adoration times
- St. Roch Church (Caseville): First Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
- St. Francis Borgia Church (Pigeon): First Fridays, 10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
About Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is the Roman Catholic parish serving the Caseville, Pigeon, and Pinnebog communities in Michigan's Thumb. It was canonically erected on July 1, 2013 by Bishop Joseph R. Cistone of Saginaw, merging the former parishes of St. Roch in Caseville, St. Francis Borgia in Pigeon, and St. Felix of Valois in Pinnebog. The church of St. Roch is the parish church; St. Francis Borgia serves as an additional worship site; and St. Felix of Valois is preserved as an occasional-use site for weddings, funerals, and special occasions. The parish belongs to Vicariate 1 of the Diocese of Saginaw and is staffed by Parochial Administrator Rev. George I. Amos together with two commissioned Lay Ministers, parish office staff, and lay volunteers.
- Parish church: St. Roch Church, 6253 Main Street, Caseville, MI 48725
- Additional worship site: St. Francis Borgia Church, Pigeon, MI
- Occasional-use site: St. Felix of Valois Church, 3515 Limerick Road, Kinde, MI 48445
- Vicariate 1, Diocese of Saginaw
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. George I. Amos
History of St. Felix of Valois Church (Pinnebog)
The Pinnebog area in Meade Township was first settled by French-Canadian Catholics around 1859, soon joined by Irish Catholic families from Canada and a few German families. The community grew too large to be served as a 'station,' and in 1873 the Irish-born Thomas Greene and his wife Rebecca deeded four acres of land on the bank of the Pinnebog River to Bishop C.H. Borgess of Detroit. A 34 x 50 frame church was erected that same summer and named St. Felix of Valois. About 75 years later the pastor of the day mistakenly adopted St. Felix I, Pope and Martyr, as patron, and a statue of him was placed in the church (now in the St. Roch church annex). By the late 1890s the original structure was full, and three parishioners — James Quinn, Alexander Champagne, and Michael Cody — rode the train to Detroit to convince Bishop Foley to formally create the parish. St. Felix of Valois became an independent parish on July 23, 1899, with Fr. Francis Hewlett as its first resident pastor. A new church was built 1901–1902 by the labor of the parishioners themselves — hauling fieldstone, hewing timber, and sawing lumber — and was dedicated by Bishop Foley on May 8, 1902. Notable features added over the decades include a stone wall and terrace (under Fr. Zylla, 1938–1942), the Our Lady of Fatima Grotto (under Fr. Klos, 1947–1951), and a 1960s renovation that brought new sanctuary furnishings, doors, carpeting, baptismal font, and the 474-pipe electric organ (1967). After the 2013 merger, St. Felix was designated for occasional use; by 2024 structural problems had forced its closure.
- 1873: First St. Felix of Valois Church built on land donated by Thomas and Rebecca Greene
- 1899: St. Felix established as an independent parish by Bishop Foley; Fr. Francis Hewlett named first resident pastor
- 1901–1902: New church built by parishioners; first Mass Christmas Day 1901; dedicated by Bishop John S. Foley on May 8, 1902
- 1938–1942: Stone wall, pillars, and terrace added under Fr. Zylla
- 1947–1951: Our Lady of Fatima Grotto built under Fr. Klos
- 1967: 474-pipe electric organ installed under Fr. Joseph K. Miller
- 2013: Merged into Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
- 2024: Church closed due to mold, dampness, and structural deterioration
Devotions & Opportunities for Prayer
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish keeps several traditional Catholic devotions active throughout the year, particularly at St. Roch Church in Caseville and St. Francis Borgia Church in Pigeon. In addition to weekday Mass, the parish offers Stations of the Cross during Lent, the Rosary before each weekday Mass, and a special Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th of each month from May through October at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible study at St. Francis Borgia rounds out the regular rhythm of prayer.
- Stations of the Cross in Lent — St. Roch Church
- Rosary before weekday Mass — St. Roch Church
- Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima — 13th of each month, May–October, 1:00 p.m.
- Bible Study — Wednesdays at St. Francis Borgia Church
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is lifelong — from children preparing for the sacraments to adults deepening their discipleship. The parish website frames faith formation as growing in relationship with God, living as disciples of Jesus, understanding the Bible and the faith, deepening one's spiritual life, and serving the parish and the wider community. Sacramental preparation at Level 2 covers First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, while Levels 3–5 deepen adults as 'Living as Disciples of Jesus.' OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults — formerly RCIA) accompanies adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Family Faith Formation for children
- Sacramental Preparation (Level 2): First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation
- Living as Disciples of Jesus — Levels 3, 4, and 5 for adults
- OCIA / RCIA — for unbaptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion
- Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults program
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Lisa Schulte
OCIA: Becoming Catholic
OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) — is the parish's formal process of preparation for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church, whether unbaptized or already baptized in another Christian tradition. The parish describes it as a return to the formation practice of the first- and second-century Church, restored by the Second Vatican Council. Inquirers journey through the Period of Inquiry, the Rite of Initiation, the Catechumenate, the Rite of Election, the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy. Linda Oeschger, a commissioned Lay Minister, coordinates the parish's OCIA team and welcomes inquirers alongside Fr. George.
- Period of Inquiry (Pre-Catechumenate)
- Rite of Initiation / Catechumenate
- Rite of Election with the bishop
- Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)
- Mystagogy — post-Easter reflection and formation
- Contact: Parish Office, Fr. George Amos, or Linda Oeschger
Lay Ministry at OLPH Parish
Two commissioned Lay Ministers — Linda Oeschger and Douglas Grates — extend the parish priest's ministry across worship, formation, and pastoral care. Both were commissioned by the Diocese of Saginaw, and they assist at the parish church (St. Roch in Caseville) and additional worship site (St. Francis Borgia in Pigeon). Together they lead faith formation for youth and adults, coordinate OCIA/RCIA, conduct Bible studies, prepare couples for marriage, coordinate funeral celebrations, and bring the Eucharist to the homebound.
- Linda Oeschger — commissioned 2010 (St. Francis Borgia), renewed 2013, 2016, 2019 at OLPH; Junior High and Adult Faith Formation, RCIA, Home Bound, Bible study, Hospitality, Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Celebration of Word and Communion
- Douglas Grates — commissioned 2013 (St. Roch), renewed 2016 and 2019 at OLPH; trained in Prepare and Enrich Marriage Preparation and Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest; Bible Studies, Adult Faith Formation, Word and Communion Services, interments and funerals, Altar Setter, Usher, Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, visits and brings Eucharist to the homebound
Ministry and Service — Get Involved
The parish regularly invites parishioners to share their time and talent. The parish website emphasizes that 'no contribution is ever too small when offered in loving service to our God,' and lists openings across liturgical, formation, and stewardship roles. Interested parishioners are asked to contact the Parish Office.
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Altar servers
- Sacristans
- Ushers
- Musicians and cantors
- Catechists and parent helpers
- Art and Environment decorators
- Money counters
Sacraments
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and prepares parishioners for each one. Sacramental preparation for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation takes place at the Level 2 stage of Family Faith Formation. Marriage preparation is supported by trained Prepare and Enrich facilitators on staff. Confession is regularly scheduled on First Saturdays at St. Roch and First Fridays at St. Francis Borgia, and the parish also ministers to the homebound, the grieving, and the dying through its lay ministers and Parochial Administrator.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession — First Saturday at St. Roch; First Friday at St. Francis Borgia)
- First Communion (Eucharist)
- Confirmation
- Marriage (with Prepare and Enrich preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral and cemetery ministry
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish staff combines a Parochial Administrator, two commissioned Lay Ministers, parish office staff, and lay council leadership. The Pastoral Council is chaired by Lisa DiCamillo and the Finance Council by Mary Buda.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. George I. Amos — 989-856-4933 ext. 4
- Parish Secretary: Beth Haynes — 989-856-4933 ext. 3
- Bookkeeper: Beth Connors — 989-856-4933 ext. 5
- Webmaster & Office Assistant: Sarah Behaeghe
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Lisa Schulte
- Business Manager: Terry Atwell (per 2023 diocesan directory)
- Maintenance: Tyler Chandler
- Project Manager: John Connor
- Lay Ministers: Linda Oeschger and Douglas Grates
- Pastoral Council Chair: Lisa DiCamillo
- Finance Council Chair: Mary Buda
Office Hours & Contact
The parish office is located at St. Roch Church in Caseville. Regular office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon. During the winter, temporary hours (effective through March 27, 2026) are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (January 29 to March 27, 2026).
- Phone: 989-856-4933
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 6253 Main Street, P.O. Box 1238, Caseville, MI 48725-1238
- Regular hours: Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
- Winter hours (Jan 29–Mar 27, 2026): Tue–Thu 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis W. Hewlett1899–1911
First resident pastor of St. Felix of Valois Parish; also given charge of St. Roch mission in Caseville
- Fr. Francis D. Hill1911–1914
- Fr. William Courtney1914–1918
- Fr. Joseph Arts1918–1919
- Fr. C.P. Stanton1919–1926
- Fr. Michael J. Martin1926–1928
- Fr. Carl E. EinigApril–August 1928
- Fr. Francis X. O'DonnellAugust 1928–1934
- Fr. Malachy Walker1934–1938
- Fr. August R. Zylla1938–1942
Built the stone wall, pillars, filled in the terrace, and landscaped the grounds
- Fr. J.L. Culligan1942–1943
- Fr. Alphonse A. Kromka1943–1947
- Fr. Camill F. Klos1947–1951
Built the Our Lady of Fatima Grotto
- Fr. Robert G. Navarre1951–1956
- Fr. Sigmund J. Haremski1956–1960
- Fr. Edward J. SzturmowskiJune–September 1960
- Fr. Joseph A. Schabel1960–1965
- Fr. Virgil Gradowski1965–1966
- Fr. Joseph K. Miller1966–1970
Complete renovation of the church: new sanctuary furnishings, new main doors, new carpeting, new baptismal font, and a 474-pipe electric organ installed in 1967
- Fr. Dale LaBrie1970–1971
Served as co-pastor of St. Felix and St. Edward (Kinde)
- Fr. Donald Deweke1971–1973
Co-pastor of St. Felix and St. Edward
- Fr. S.A. Bur1973–1974
Co-pastor of St. Felix and St. Edward
- Fr. Michael Wolf1974–1976
First co-pastor of St. Felix and St. Roch in Caseville; left to become pastor of St. Francis Borgia in Pigeon
- Rev. George I. Amoscurrent
Current Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (which absorbed St. Felix in 2013)