About Our Lady Star of the Sea · Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a Roman Catholic parish in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, part of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Founded in 1954 and commonly known simply as 'Star,' the parish has long been described in the community as a welcoming 'neighborhood parish.' It is home to a parish school (Preschool through Middle School) and operates as part of the 'Thresholds of Hope' Family of Parishes alongside neighboring AOD parishes. Weekend and daily Masses, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, an active music ministry, Faith Formation for children and youth, OCIA (formerly RCIA), and a variety of service and outreach ministries form the core of parish life.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- Our Lady, Star of the Sea
- Rector
- Msgr. Gary Smetanka
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a well-established 'neighborhood parish' in Grosse Pointe Woods where parishioners are known by name and there is something for every age and stage of life. Worship is supported by an extensive music ministry (adult choir, Youth Chorale, Schola, Men's Schola, cantors, instrumentalists, and a Veterans Day Concert), daily Mass with rich devotions (Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Perpetual Help Novena), weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a year-round Eucharistic Holy Hour on the first Monday of the month. Families are served by an accredited Preschool–8 Catholic school, a graded Faith Formation program with Spirit & Life for middle schoolers, OCIA for adults, and Youth Ministry that includes a biennial mission trip (most recently Houston in summer 2025 and Seoul 2027 for World Youth Day). Outreach runs through Christian Service programs, monthly service drives, the Giving Tree, and seasonal fish fries — all the makings of a vibrant, multigenerational Catholic community.
Mass times at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM until all have been heard
- By appointment (call parish office)
- Additional Reconciliation services during Lent (e.g., Monday evenings 6:30–7:30 PM in 2025)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Holy Hour & Adoration: First Monday of the month, 7:00–8:00 PM in the Church
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM in the parish office chapel
- First Friday Adoration: 7:00–8:00 PM (per Discover Mass/AOD Finder)
- Adoration Chapel open 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily (during Lent per parish page)
Parish History
Founded in 1954 under founding pastor Fr. Ralph Barton, Our Lady Star of the Sea grew rapidly in post-war Grosse Pointe Woods. The first church (a temporary building on Fairford & Ballantyne, dedicated September 1955) was intended from the start to eventually be replaced; the rectory opened in 1955 and the convent in 1956. A parish school serving grades 1–2 opened in 1955 and grew with building expansions in 1956, 1958, and 1985; an all-girls' high school followed in 1959 under Sr. Immaculee Burns, IHM, and ran until 1993. Fr. Barton's long-held dream of a permanent church on the corner of Morningside and Fairford finally moved forward in the 1990s. In spring 1995 the 'Star 2000' committee was formed, and after determining a new build was more cost-effective than renovation, construction began in 1998. On Saturday, November 27, 1999 (Vigil of the First Sunday of Advent), Cardinal Adam Maida dedicated and blessed the new 800-seat church with its devotional statuary and stained-glass windows.
- 1954 — Parish founded; Fr. Ralph Barton first pastor
- 1955 — First church dedicated Sept. 1955; rectory opens; elementary school opens for grades 1–2
- 1956 — Convent opens; school building opens
- 1958, 1985 — School expansions
- 1959 — Girls' high school opens under Sr. Immaculee Burns, IHM
- 1993 — High school closes; upper grade school moves into that wing
- 1995 — 'Star 2000' committee formed to plan for new worship space
- 1998 — Construction begins on the new church
- 1999 — Cardinal Adam Maida dedicates the new 800-seat church, November 27
- 1998 — School accredited as a School of Excellence by AdvancED/North Central Association
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music at Star is a full parish ministry spanning school age through adults. The OLSOS Choir (high school age and up) ministers at the 11:30 liturgy and holy days, with Wednesday-evening rehearsals. A Men's Schola sings for All Souls Day and Good Friday. The school-age Youth Chorale (grades 3–5) and Schola (middle school) lead worship at Sunday Masses, perform throughout the community, and have led worship at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the AOD youth choir festival. Christmas and Easter Choirs offer a short-term commitment for those wanting to sing without a year-round obligation, and the parish hosts an annual Veterans Day Concert with patriotic hymns. Cantors and instrumentalists (flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, saxophone, and more) are scheduled individually.
- OLSOS Choir (11:30 liturgy & holy days)
- Men's Schola (All Souls Day & Good Friday)
- Youth Chorale (grades 3–5) & Schola (middle school)
- Christmas and Easter Choir (short-term commitment)
- Cantors and Instrumentalists
- Veterans Day Concert (community-wide)
- Director: parish Music Minister (313-884-5554 ext. 2121)
Faith Formation & OCIA
Faith Formation partners with parents to share the Catholic faith with children and youth, with the goal that students Encounter Jesus, Grow in faith, and Witness God's love. Classes meet on the parish campus with K–5 and 6–8 programs, the Spirit & Life middle-school track, and high-school and adult offerings. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a no-pressure, fall-through-Easter process for adults and children age 8+ considering becoming Catholic, as well as baptized Christians seeking Eucharist and/or Confirmation; participants are received at the Easter Vigil through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
- Grades 1–6: Tuesdays, late September–April, sessions 4:00–5:30 PM and 6:30–8:00 PM
- Grades 7–8 'Spirit & Life': Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 PM, September–March
- High School Faith Formation
- Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA (formerly RCIA): weekly gatherings of prayer, teaching, and fellowship
- Vacation Bible School
- Vocations awareness
- Contact: Jack Novak, Faith Formation Coordinator — (313) 884-7407
Youth Ministry
Beyond grade-school Faith Formation, Star offers a dynamic Youth Ministry program. Most recently the parish sent a delegation on a Jubilee Trip to Italy in July 2025 and is preparing a mission trip (June 15–30) in partnership with Strake Jesuit High School in Houston for high-schoolers. The parish is also registered for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.
- Jubilee Trip to Italy — July 2025
- Mission Trip to Houston with Strake Jesuit — June 15–30
- World Youth Day 2027 — Seoul, South Korea
- Contact: Jack Novak, Faith Formation Coordinator
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School
The parish school (Preschool through Middle School) shares the 467 Fairford Road campus and serves families from across the Grosse Pointes, Harper Woods, St. Clair Shores, and nearby Detroit neighborhoods. With small class sizes (average 1:15) and 1:1 Chromebook technology from Kindergarten through 8th grade, the school offers Spanish, Gym, Music, Art, Library, and Technology. An extensive music curriculum features Kodály-based General Music, Piano/Music Technology with Garage Band, Bell Chimes, Guitar, Musical Drama (culminating in a Disney musical), and the Youth Chorale and Schola described above. The school has been accredited as a School of Excellence by AdvancED/North Central Association since 1998 and is approaching its 70th anniversary.
- Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School on one campus
- 1:1 Chromebooks K–8; small class sizes (~1:15)
- Specials: Spanish, Gym, Music, Art, Library, Technology
- Accredited School of Excellence since 1998
- Approaching 70th Anniversary
- Principal: Danielle Trudel
- Assistant Principal & Counselor: Kerry Vlahantones
- School phone: (313) 884-1070
- Website: https://starschoolgrossepointe.org
Sacraments
Information on each sacrament is published on the parish website, including preparation steps, requirements, and contacts.
- Baptism — preparation via the 'Belonging' online course; celebrated after 11:30 Mass on 2nd & 4th Sundays
- Eucharist & Reconciliation — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — two-year preparation
- Marriage — 6+ months registered parishioner; 6 months Archdiocesan prep; one-on-one counseling; suggested $300 parish gift
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office; not only for the dying
- Funerals — typical times 10:00 AM or 10:30 AM (Fridays during school year); customary donation ~$200 plus $150 music minister fee
Christian Service & Outreach
Coordinated through the parish's Christian Service office, Star parishioners support the wider community through food drives, the Christmas Giving Tree, Operation Christmas Child boxes, clothing drives, and monthly service drives. Volunteers also help with parish events including Friday fish fries (especially during Lent), coffee and donuts, Fall Fest, and funeral luncheons, and assist with bulletin stuffing and special mailings.
- Food Drive — assembling and delivering baskets
- Christmas Giving Tree — gifts for nearby parishes
- Operation Christmas Child — sorting and delivery
- Clothing Drive — before and after Mass
- Monthly Service Drives
- Fish Fries (Lent), Coffee & Donuts, Fall Fest, Funeral Luncheons
- Bulletin & Mailings help
- Contact: Debby Veltri, Christian Service
Family of Parishes — Thresholds of Hope
Our Lady Star of the Sea is part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's 'Northeast SERF 2' Family of Parishes, called 'Thresholds of Hope,' with Msgr. Gary Smetanka serving as Moderator. The parish's stated mission is: 'With Mary, we bring people to Christ to live the love of God.' As part of the restructuring, several additional priests share pastoral responsibility as Priests In Solidum, with full-time and weekend priest support provided by Rev. Eric Fedewa, Rev. Brian Meldrum, Rev. Robert Voiland, Rev. Patrick Connell, Msgr. G. Michael Bugarin, and Rev. James Commyn.
- Family of Parishes: Northeast SERF 2 ('Thresholds of Hope')
- Moderator: Msgr. Gary Smetanka
- Priests In Solidum & Clergy Support: Fr. Fedewa, Fr. Meldrum, Fr. Voiland, Fr. Connell, Msgr. Bugarin, Fr. Commyn
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish and school are supported by a full staff of clergy, lay ministers, and administrators.
- Pastor — Msgr. Gary Smetanka
- Pastoral Associate — Debby Veltri
- Business Manager — Steven Carozza
- Parish Administrative Assistant — Karin Gross
- Director of Communications and Marketing — Annie Schunior
- Faith Formation Coordinator — Jack Novak
- Confirmation Coordinator — Madeleine Wila
- Music Minister — Aaron Kaleniecki
- Maintenance — Jacob Wilson
- School Principal — Danielle Trudel
- School Assistant Principal & Counselor — Kerry Vlahantones
- School Administrative Assistant — Andrew Sopek
- Parish Office: (313) 884-5554 | Fax: (313) 885-5591
- Faith Formation Office: (313) 884-7407
- School: (313) 884-1070
- Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ralph Barton1954–1980
Founding pastor; built the temporary 1955 church and the school; dreamed of a permanent church on Morningside & Fairford.
- Fr. Robert Witkowski1980–1981
- Fr. Ralph Kowalski1981–1987
- Fr. John Child1987–1991
- Fr. David West1991–1992
- Msgr. Dennis Harrity1992–2004
Led the building of the new 800-seat church dedicated November 27, 1999 by Cardinal Maida.
- Fr. Kenneth Kaucheck2004–2008
Promoted an increase in Scripture study and youth ministry.
- Msgr. Gary Smetanka2008–present
Current pastor; developed community-building programs, outreach, and parish facility renovations.