About Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Our Lady of Fatima) · Oak Park, Michigan
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish (OMOPH) is a Roman Catholic community in Oak Park, Michigan, part of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The parish was formed on January 1, 2014, the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God, through the merger of Our Lady of Fatima Parish (Oak Park) and St. James Parish (Ferndale), and it carries on the faith story that began at Our Lady of Fatima on June 15, 1950. Headed by Fr. Paul F. Chateau, the parish serves roughly 327 households (about 1,200 individuals, including 512 children and 317 seniors) and is a member of a Family of Parishes alongside Transfiguration, Divine Providence Lithuanian, and Our Lady of La Salette. After the closing of St. James Church on November 3, 2024, OMOPH continues to worship at the original Our Lady of Fatima church on Oak Park Boulevard, home to notable stained-glass windows rescued from historic Detroit parishes.
- Established
- 1950 (as Our Lady of Fatima); re-formed 2014 as Our Mother of Perpetual Help
- Patron
- Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
- Rector
- Fr. Paul F. Chateau
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
OMOPH is a small, multigenerational Catholic family of about 1,200 members where nearly every face is recognizable. It offers daily and weekend Mass, a lively St. Vincent de Paul conference that helped 144 families in the past year, prayer groups like the Monday Morning Prayer Group and 'Sip and Snack with Scripture,' and a Worship Commission that trains liturgical ministers and hosts gatherings such as Advent by Candlelight. Welcoming all who walk through its fully accessible doors, the parish invites visitors to 'become a member' and join a community rooted in the Eucharist and shaped by service.
Mass times at Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Our Lady of Fatima)
Weekly Mass schedule
Our History: From Our Lady of Fatima to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
The parish's story began on June 15, 1950, when Cardinal Mooney appointed Rev. George Parzych—'Fr. George'—to lead about 200 families in what would become Our Lady of Fatima Parish. After a devastating 1956 fire, the community rebuilt, and the present church was first used on Christmas Eve 1957. In 2012 the parish entered a cluster with St. James in Ferndale, and on January 1, 2014—the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God—the two communities merged into a single parish, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, with Mass first celebrated at the Oak Park church. In 2024, after prayerful discernment, St. James Church was formally closed by decree of Archbishop Allen Vigneron.
- Founded June 15, 1950 as Our Lady of Fatima Parish
- First pastor: Rev. George Parzych ('Fr. George')
- First Masses held in Clinton School House; first building was the rectory (1950)
- Sisters of St. Joseph from Garfield Heights, OH arrived in 1954 to teach at the parish school
- Fire destroyed original church February 17, 1956; rebuilt church first used Christmas Eve 1957
- Clustered with St. James (Ferndale) on July 1, 2012; merged January 1, 2014 as Our Mother of Perpetual Help
- St. James Church closed by Archbishop Vigneron's decree; final Mass November 3, 2024
Stained Glass Windows
The sacred art inside Our Lady of Fatima Church preserves the memory of two now-closed Detroit-area parishes. Fr. Paul Chateau acquired windows originally from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Detroit—a 1923 Polish-American church on the National Register of Historic Places, closed in 1989. Four additional windows depicting the Four Evangelists were obtained through St. Dennis Parish in Royal Oak. Parishioners and craftspeople—including Aaron Chateau, John Armstrong, Jim Podzikowski, and others of beloved memory (Frank Czarnecki, Michael Palcyznski, Art Lowry, Joe Rappazini, Frank Gosztyla)—repaired the glass and built custom light boxes so the windows could shine again.
- Windows originally from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Detroit (founded 1914, built 1923, closed 1989, National Register of Historic Places)
- Four Evangelists windows from St. Dennis Parish, Royal Oak
- Restored and installed by parish volunteers led by Aaron Chateau and John Armstrong
Worship Commission
The Worship Commission 'serves as a guiding force in ongoing liturgical renewal,' envisioning, coordinating, and evaluating the parish's worship, liturgical, and spiritual rhythms. Chaired by Barbara Urbiel, the commission prepares liturgical celebrations, creates worship environments for each liturgical season, trains liturgical ministers, hosts evenings of reflection and cherished annual events such as Advent by Candlelight, and fosters ecumenical relationships with other Christian and non-Christian faith communities.
- Prepares and plans all liturgical celebrations
- Welcomes and trains liturgical ministers
- Designs seasonal worship environments
- Hosts evenings of reflection and Advent by Candlelight
- Serves as liaison with other faith communities (ecumenical outreach)
- Chairperson: Barbara Urbiel
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Paul F. Chateau, Priest in Solidum with Primary Responsibility for Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, alongside a small team of lay staff supporting finance, facilities, the parish office, maintenance, and music ministry. To reach any staff member, call the parish office at 248-545-2310.
- Pastor: Fr. Paul F. Chateau
- Finance: Ms. Vicki Mazurek
- Facilities Management Liaison: Ms. Mary Ann Shirley
- Office Administrative Support: Ms. Julie Hines
- Maintenance Support: Mr. Al Mayer
- Music Director: Mr. Michael Chateau
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Our Mother of Perpetual Help Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference is one of the parish's most active ministries, providing hands-on charitable support to neighbors within parish boundaries—Oak Park, Ferndale, and Royal Oak Township. Built on the cornerstones of Friendship, Spirituality, and Service, the conference offers food assistance, emergency financial aid, vouchers, furniture help, and referrals to local food banks.
- Annual report (Oct 2024–Sept 2025): 144 families assisted with rent, utilities, car repairs, and more; $57,406 contributed; 433 people served with non-monetary aid
- Half of financial support comes from partner SVdP conferences in Oakland County
- Vouchers for clothing and household goods through the SVdP store in Madison Heights
- Votive candle donations ($5) support the conference
- Meetings: first Monday of the month, 7:00 PM in the Gathering Area
- Open to new members; mark donations 'SVdP'
Parish Groups & Devotions
A variety of small groups and devotional gatherings knit the parish community together throughout the week. These range from a Monday Morning Prayer Group to social activities for seniors and an evening Scripture discussion.
- Monday Morning Prayer Group – Mondays, 10:00 AM, Gathering Area
- Sip and Snack with Scripture – select evenings, 7:00 PM, Gathering Area
- Senior Social Club Meeting – monthly, 11:00 AM, Gathering Area
- Men's Organization Meeting – monthly, 7:30 PM
- St. Vincent de Paul Meeting – first Monday of the month, 7:00 PM, Gathering Area
- Worship Meeting (see parish calendar for dates)
Family of Parishes
OMOPH is one of four parishes in a Family of Parishes within the Archdiocese of Detroit, alongside Transfiguration, Divine Providence Lithuanian, and Our Lady of La Salette. The family 'values each parish community, and celebrates our unique heritages and traditions,' coordinating Mass schedules and outreach efforts in response to area parish closures.
- Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Oak Park)
- Church of the Transfiguration
- Divine Providence Lithuanian
- Our Lady of La Salette
- Family-wide Mass schedule took effect July 19–20, 2025
- Shared values: Celebrate Together, Serve with Compassion, Nurture Growth, Promote Inclusivity, Foster Unity
Sacramental Records
In keeping with Archdiocese of Detroit policy, the parish office holds all sacramental records for Our Lady of Fatima (Oak Park), St. James (Ferndale), and Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Certificates can be mailed or picked up in person during office hours; they cannot be emailed or faxed, and no certificates are issued for genealogical purposes. Only the individual (or a parent/guardian for a minor child) may receive a copy.
- Records kept at 13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237
- Valid certificates must be mailed or picked up—no email/fax copies
- No certificates issued for genealogical purposes
- Request via the Sacramental Record Request form
Visit, Park & Accessibility
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish building is fully accessible, and ushers are available to assist anyone arriving for Mass or events. Parking is available in the lot off Coolidge Highway on the north side of the church, with limited additional parking in the circle drive on Oak Park Boulevard.
- Address: 13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237
- Parking lot entrance off Coolidge Hwy. (north side of building)
- Limited circle-drive parking on Oak Park Blvd.
- All entrances fully accessible
- Ushers available to assist
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Community Outreach & CSA
Beyond the parish walls, OMOPH partners with surrounding communities in Oak Park, Southfield, Berkley, Ferndale, and Detroit for joint outreach efforts such as Thanksgiving service to those in need. The parish also participates in the Archdiocese of Detroit's Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), with the 2026–2027 goal set at $23,245.
- Joint Thanksgiving outreach with Oak Park, Southfield, Berkley, Ferndale, and Detroit
- CSA goal 2026–2027: $23,245
- Donations accepted in the collection basket, by mail, or through the secure online giving platform
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Parzych ('Fr. George')1950–1968
Founding pastor appointed by Cardinal Mooney; celebrated first Mass in the Clinton School House; led the community through the 1956 fire and the building of the present church (first Mass Christmas Eve 1957).
- Msgr. John Bradley1968–1971
Served with deep devotion until his untimely passing.
- Fr. Tom Flynn and Fr. Paul Chateau1972–1977
Appointed Co-Pastors in 1972.
- Fr. Paul F. Chateau1977–present
Sole pastor since 1977; led the cluster and merger forming Our Mother of Perpetual Help in 2014; continues as Pastor / Priest in Solidum with Primary Responsibility.