About Our Lady of the Woods · Woodhaven, Michigan
Our Lady of the Woods is a Roman Catholic parish in Woodhaven, Michigan, in the Downriver area southwest of Detroit. Founded in 1975 by Fr. John Leo Phalen under the Archdiocese of Detroit, the parish is now pastored by Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD, as part of the Downriver Missionaries for Christ Family of Parishes. The community worships at its church on Gudith Road, offers weekend and weekday Masses, run a robust faith-formation program for children and youth (Preschool through Confirmation), and serves the local area through ministries such as a St. Vincent dePaul food pantry and Walking with Moms in Need.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Woods (under the patronage of Mary) — the name was selected by a 4-to-1 margin over suggestions including New Jerusalem (Fr. Phalen's favorite), Prince of Peace, Jesus the Messiah, and Elizabeth Ann Seton.
- Rector
- Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD (Priest in Solidum / principal administrator; Fr. Marc Gawronski serves as Moderator of the Downriver Missionaries for Christ Family of Parishes)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Woods is a warm, multigenerational parish where Sunday Mass is offered with full liturgical ministries — choir, lectors, acolytes, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and ushers — and where faith formation extends from preschool through Confirmation. The parish nurtures community through service: a St. Vincent dePaul food pantry, Walking with Moms in Need, the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady's Catholic Women, the Giving Tree, and a Homebound Ministry that takes Communion to the sick and shut-ins. With weekday adoration, Saturday confession, and active parish groups from Fishers of Men to Pre-K Faith Formation, OLOW offers newcomers a real place to belong in faith.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Woods
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:45 pm in the Church
- By appointment with Fr. Bob
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (perpetual/devotional — see parish calendar)
- First Friday of each month: 9:00 am Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Parish History
Founded on September 6, 1975 by Fr. John Leo Phalen after a local Lutheran pastor wrote to the Archdiocese to ask for a Catholic presence in the growing Woodhaven-Brownstown area. From a first Mass in Bates Elementary School, the parish cycled through multiple worship sites for two years before the permanent church — with stained glass, sanctuary, and organ — was dedicated by Cardinal John F. Dearden on May 24, 1980. The Christian Growth Center and social hall followed in February 1990. Fr. Phalen shepherded the parish for 15 years before his 1990 reassignment; the driveway was named Phalen Drive in his honor. On September 28, 2025, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary with Archbishop Weisenburger, with Fr. Phalen (then 94) concelebrating.
- Founded September 6, 1975 by Fr. John Leo Phalen
- First Mass at Bates Elementary School on Gudith
- Church dedicated May 24, 1980 by Cardinal John F. Dearden
- Christian Growth Center & social hall dedicated February 1990
- Fr. Phalen reassigned July 22, 1990 (driveway later named Phalen Drive)
- 50th anniversary Mass: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered year-round for every age — from preschool through adult OCIA — under Director of Religious Education Mrs. Cheryl Reynolds, with Faith Formation Secretary Mrs. Joanne Petri. The parish operates the Christian Growth Center on site. Programs emphasize ongoing formation, family catechesis options, and sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (preschool, ages 3½–5)
- Early Elementary (grades 1–4, sacramental prep for First Communion & Reconciliation)
- EDGE (grades 5–8, includes sacramental preparation for Confirmation)
- Confirmation preparation: a three-year program beginning in 6th grade, celebrated in spring of 9th grade (includes candidate interview, overnight retreat, individual confession, and parish Mass)
- Pre-K Faith Formation (Andrea Pigott)
- Adult Faith Formation / Know Your Faith series
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Pat Butler, [email protected])
Liturgical Ministries & Music
Our Lady of the Woods offers a robust slate of lay liturgical ministries coordinated through staff and volunteers. Music Director Bob Amore ([email protected]) and Worship & Media Director Jason Buckley ([email protected]) oversee the music and AV/streaming operations. Acolytes (third grade and up) assist at weekend and Holy Day Masses; extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion serve at Mass and bring Communion to the sick and shut-ins; sacristans set up and clean up the liturgy; lectors proclaim the Word; and funeral sacristans assist at funerals.
- Music Director: Mr. Bob Amore
- Worship & Media Director: Mr. Jason Buckley
- Acolytes (altar servers, grades 3+) — Jeanie Morgan-Lambrix
- Lectors — Joyce Butcko
- Sacristans — Jason Buckley
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — Kody Klindt / Holly Ryan
- Funeral Sacristans
- 9:00 am Sunday Mass is livestreamed online
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD (Priest in Solidum and principal administrator), with Fr. Marc Gawronski as Moderator of the Downriver Missionaries for Christ Family of Parishes. Day-to-day operations are led by Office Manager Becky Gonzalez, Bookkeeper Patty Baringer, Music Director Bob Amore, Worship & Media Director Jason Buckley, Director of Religious Education Cheryl Reynolds, OCIA Coordinator Pat Butler, Christian Service Coordinator Catherine Grinn, Faith Formation Secretary Joanne Petri, Maintenance Director Rick Morrow, and custodians Pat Nickels and Vito Scalise. The Parish Advisory Committee and Parish Finance Council (required by Canon Law) advise Fr. Bob.
- Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD — Priest in Solidum (734-818-4521, [email protected])
- Fr. Marc Gawronski — Moderator (313-333-6608, [email protected])
- Parish office: 734-671-5101 · Fax 734-671-2901
- Parish Advisory Committee and Parish Finance Council
- Family of Parishes: Director of Mission Support — Sue Biedlingmaier; Director of Discipleship Formation — Sean Calvin
Outreach & Christian Service
Coordinated by Christian Service Coordinator Catherine Grinn, Our Lady of the Woods extends its ministry to neighbors in need through a St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Walking with Moms in Need, a Homebound Ministry that brings Communion to the sick and elderly, the Giving Tree, the Knights of Columbus, and Our Lady's Catholic Women. Hospitality teams — greeters, coffee-and-donuts hosts, funeral luncheon crews, ushers, and bereavement companions — wrap the parish family in care during seasons of joy and sorrow alike.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry — Amy Carrell (734-818-4533)
- Walking with Moms in Need — Cathy Grinn (734-818-4532)
- Homebound Ministry — Kathleen LeBoeuf
- Giving Tree outreach
- Knights of Columbus
- Our Lady's Catholic Women — Judy Schings
- Fishers of Men — Dan Hyman
- Ushers — Sean Pigott
Marriage, Baptism & Family Life
The parish welcomes engaged couples for marriage preparation through the Archdiocese of Detroit's Marriage Preparation Program. Couples should be registered, participating members of OLOW for at least one year before the wedding date, and must contact the pastor at least six months in advance. Music for weddings is coordinated through Music Director Bob Amore ([email protected]). Baptisms, First Communion/First Reconciliation (prepared within Early Elementary faith formation), Confirmation (a three-year process beginning in 6th grade), and Anointing of the Sick round out the sacramental life of the parish.
- Marriage Preparation through the Archdiocese of Detroit
- Contact pastor ≥ 6 months in advance; ≥ 1 year registered membership
- Wedding music coordinated with Bob Amore
- Sacrament preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation embedded in faith formation
- Anointing of the Sick offered at designated weekday Masses
Family of Parishes — Downriver Missionaries for Christ
Our Lady of the Woods is one of four parishes that now share priests in solidum under the Downriver Missionaries for Christ Family of Parishes, part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's family-of-parishes model. The companion parishes are St. Roch (Flat Rock), Sacred Heart (Grosse Ile), and St. Cyprian (Riverview), all in Michigan's Downriver area.
- St. Roch Catholic Church, Flat Rock, MI
- Our Lady of the Woods, Woodhaven, MI
- Sacred Heart, Grosse Ile, MI
- St. Cyprian, Riverview, MI
- Moderator: Fr. Marc Gawronski
- Priest in Solidum for OLOW: Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD
Visit & Contact
Mass attendees and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (summer hours Memorial Day–Labor Day: Mon–Thu 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, closed Friday). Saturday and Sunday the office is closed. The Faith Formation Office keeps extended hours: Mon–Tue 3:00–8:00 pm, Wed by appointment, Thu 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. In inclement weather, the parish follows the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District closures.
- Address: 21892 Gudith, Woodhaven, MI 48183
- Phone: 734-671-5101 · Fax: 734-671-2901
- Parking behind the church; handicap & van-accessible spots available
- Registration: forms in the Gathering Space, or download/print from olow.org
- Inclement weather policy: follows Woodhaven-Brownstown School District closures
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Leo Phalen1975–1990
Founding pastor; celebrated the first Mass on September 6, 1975; led the parish for 15 years; oversaw construction and dedication of the church (May 24, 1980) and the Christian Growth Center (February 1990); reassigned July 22, 1990, to St. Joseph, Lake Orion. The parish driveway was named Phalen Drive in his honor.
- Fr. Clifford Ruskowski
Listed among past pastors on the parish history page.
- Fr. Rich Bartoszek
Listed among past pastors on the parish history page.
- Fr. Rick Macey
Listed among past pastors on the parish history page.
- Fr. Andrew Czarnecki
Listed among past pastors on the parish history page.
- Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD2019–present
Assigned as administrator on July 1, 2019; now a priest in solidum of the Downriver Missionaries for Christ Family of Parishes.