About Prince of Peace · North Muskegon, Michigan
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids located near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in North Muskegon, Michigan, set on a wooded lot with a winding drive that visitors describe as a peaceful prayerful place. The parish was originally established in 1975 and was reestablished in 2012 when it merged with St. Mary of the Woods Chapel in Lakewood Club (Twin Lake), which it now operates as a mission chapel. Worship is offered at two sites: the main Prince of Peace Church at 1110 Dykstra Road and St. Mary of the Woods Chapel at 150 Church Street in Twin Lake. The community is currently shepherded by Fr. Godfrey Onyekwere and describes itself as a joyful faith community dedicated to the love of God and neighbor, with active ministries in Christian outreach, faith formation, music, youth, and a long-standing twinning relationship with St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church in Jean Rabel, Haiti.
- Established
- 1975 (reestablished 2012)
- Patron
- Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace)
- Rector
- Rev. Godfrey C. Onyekwere
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids (West Deanery, Muskegon County)
Why belong here
Prince of Peace is a small, family-sized Catholic community whose wooded lakeside setting and welcoming tone are frequently mentioned by visitors and parishioners. Worship is offered across two accessible sites — Prince of Peace Church in North Muskegon and St. Mary of the Woods Chapel in Twin Lake — with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses, Saturday Reconciliation, and weekly Wednesday Adoration. The parish offers faith formation for every age (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and sacramental prep for children, Youth Discipleship for middle and high schoolers, a Young Adult group for ages 18–35, and adult programs including OCIA), an adult choir and cantors under a Music Director, and a wide range of ministries including the Knights of Columbus Council #15337, Council of Catholic Women, Respect Life, Bereavement, Senior Outreach, Evangelization, and an international Haiti Outreach twinned with St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church in Jean Rabel. It is a good fit for anyone seeking a peaceful, ministry-rich parish that worships together across two chapels and serves locally and abroad.
Mass times at Prince of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Prince of Peace)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:45 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. daily Mass) at Prince of Peace
About the Parish
Prince of Peace is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in North Muskegon, Michigan. The parish was established in 1975 and reestablished in 2012 with the merger of St. Mary of the Woods Chapel in Lakewood Club, and now worships at two sites — the main church on Dykstra Road and the smaller mission chapel in the woods near Fox Lake. The parish describes itself as 'a joyful faith community, dedicated to the love of God and Neighbor; serving even beyond U.S.A.,' and its mission centers on evangelization, service, and welcoming all to the holy family of God with Mary as model.
- Founded 1975; reestablished 2012
- Merged parish with St. Mary of the Woods Chapel, Lakewood Club (Twin Lake)
- Diocese of Grand Rapids — West Deanery, Muskegon County
- Mailing address: 1110 Dykstra Rd., Muskegon, MI 49445
Our Worship Sites
Prince of Peace worships at two locations, both fully handicapped accessible. The main church — Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 1110 Dykstra Rd. in North Muskegon — sits behind a winding drive through the woods near Lake Michigan, a setting the parish hopes visitors will experience as 'peace and prayerfulness of God's presence.' St. Mary of the Woods Chapel at 150 Church St. in Twin Lake (Lakewood Club) is a smaller chapel with a stone interior and a beautiful outdoor garden with the Stations of the Cross; mail is not accepted at the Twin Lake address.
- Prince of Peace Church — 1110 Dykstra Rd., North Muskegon, MI 49445
- St. Mary of the Woods Chapel — 150 Church St., Twin Lake (Lakewood Club), MI 49457 (no mail accepted)
- Both buildings are handicapped accessible
Mass & Sacraments
Regular Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace, Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace, and two Sunday Masses: 8:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Woods and 10:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace. All weekday Masses and the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass are broadcast live on Zoom (Meeting ID 554 227 1270, Password 49445).
- Daily Mass Tue–Fri 8:00 a.m. (Prince of Peace)
- Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. (Prince of Peace)
- Sunday 8:30 a.m. (St. Mary of the Woods)
- Sunday 10:30 a.m. (Prince of Peace)
- Reconciliation Saturday 4:00–4:30 p.m. (Prince of Peace)
- Zoom broadcast: ID 554 227 1270 / Password 49445
Our Priest & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, two deacons, a music director, and ministry coordinators. Fr. Godfrey Onyekwere is pastor. Rev. Mr. James J. Schiltz serves as a deacon, and Rev. Mr. Greg Anderson serves both as a deacon and Business Manager. The Music Director/Organist is Shane Arkels; Holly Champoux is Coordinator of Children's Ministry; Theresa Andary is Coordinator of Youth Ministry. Lena Castañeda also serves on the parish team.
- Rev. Godfrey C. Onyekwere — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. James J. Schiltz — Deacon ([email protected], 231-744-4120)
- Rev. Mr. Greg Anderson — Deacon / Business Manager (ext. 123, [email protected])
- Shane Arkels — Director of Music/Organist (ext. 127, [email protected])
- Holly Champoux — Coordinator of Children's Ministry (ext. 128, [email protected])
- Theresa Andary — Coordinator of Youth Ministry (ext. 129, 231-719-1760, [email protected])
- Lena Castañeda — parish staff
- Administrative Assistant — [email protected] (ext. 121)
Christian Outreach
Christian Outreach is the parish's umbrella for service to those in need — locally, regionally, and internationally. Its mission is to 'be Jesus to others,' to share the gifts given to the parish, and to lead by example. The committee supports Catholic Charities programs and the agencies of Muskegon County, and is a member of Northside Churches which supports monthly food trucks. It meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. for about an hour. Contact Hugh White at (231) 744-2471.
- Senior Outreach (55+) — breakfasts and parties at Northcrest/Robbinswood Living Centre
- Respect Life — meets September through May
- Bereavement Ministry
- Funeral Luncheon Ministry
- Haiti Outreach — twinned with St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church, Jean Rabel, Haiti
- Northside Churches monthly food truck support
Christian Life & Evangelization
Christian Life ministries focus on building community within the parish so that, as a family, parishioners can combine their resources and talents to reach out beyond it. The Evangelization Team seeks to reawaken in Catholics the call to share the Gospel, while the Welcome Table provides a friendly, smiling presence for visitors and newcomers at the three weekend Masses (approximately every 4 to 6 weeks). Spiritual Direction and a Discipleship/Stewardship Committee round out this area of parish life.
- Welcome Table / Welcome Committee
- Evangelization Team
- Spiritual Direction
- Discipleship Committee (Stewardship)
Music Ministry
Under Director of Music/Organist Shane Arkels, the Music Ministry follows the adage 'Those who sing, pray twice.' The adult choir sings at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Prince of Peace and rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Church (September through May); new members are always welcome. Cantors lead the assembly in song, singing the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation and helping bring the liturgy together.
- Adult Choir — rehearses Thursdays 7:00–8:30 p.m., sings at 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
- Cantor ministry
- Director of Music/Organist: Shane Arkels ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Prince of Peace serves every age. Children's Faith Formation (ages 3–12) includes Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Children's Liturgy of the Word, preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, and Vacation Bible School. Adult Faith Formation includes Strong Catholic Families, God's Embrace, and the OCIA process (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), along with an OCIA Book Study: 'Biblical Walk Through the Mass.' All volunteers 18+ who work with children or vulnerable adults must complete Virtus Protecting God's Children training and documentation.
- Children's Faith Formation (ages 3–12)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation
- Vacation Bible School
- Adult Faith Formation — Strong Catholic Families, God's Embrace
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and OCIA Book Study
Youth Discipleship & Young Adults
Youth Discipleship is 'the mainstay in the Prince of Peace community of disciples through which teens will encounter Christ.' Teens grow as disciples through small-group life, adult mentors, and ministry events focused on Christ and Community, with separate tracks for Middle School (7th–8th) and High School (9th–12th). A separate Young Adult Ministry welcomes those ages 18–35. Both are coordinated by Theresa Andary.
- Middle School Youth Discipleship (7th–8th)
- High School Youth Discipleship (9th–12th)
- Young Adult Ministry (18–35)
- Coordinator: Theresa Andary ([email protected], 231-719-1760)
- Faith Formation registration: $40/student or $90/family; tuition scholarships available
- Youth Instagram: @princeofpeacenm_youth; Remind texting @hspeace and @princems to 81010
Affiliated Groups
Prince of Peace hosts several affiliated lay and fraternal organizations that operate under the parish umbrella. Knights of Columbus Council #15337 renders financial aid and mutual assistance to members and their families and promotes charitable, religious, and social welfare works. The Council of Catholic Women and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Circle also meet at the parish.
- Knights of Columbus Council #15337 — Grand Knight Kevin B. Strychar
- Council of Catholic Women
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Circle
Haiti Outreach — Sister Parish
Haiti Outreach is a ministry of love to the people of Jean Rabel, Haiti, especially to the parishioners of St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church, with whom Prince of Peace has a twinning relationship built on prayer, mutual hope, and practical help. The parish supports the community financially and especially in the area of education, and is in turn inspired by their faith and trust in God. Contact Mike & Judy Wozny at (231) 744-2715 ([email protected]).
- Sister parish: St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church, Jean Rabel, Haiti
- Focus: prayer, financial support, and education
- Contact: Mike & Judy Wozny, (231) 744-2715, [email protected]
Senior Outreach
Senior Outreach promotes activities for parishioners 55 and older. The parish hosts six senior breakfasts (first Wednesday of October, November, December, March, April, and May, following the 8:00 a.m. Mass) and four parties at Northcrest/Robbinswood Living Centre — Harvest (October), Christmas (December), St. Patrick's Day (March), and Spring (May). Volunteers are warmly welcomed; younger helpers (ages 15–50) are especially needed so current volunteers can enjoy the breakfasts.
- Six senior breakfasts per year
- Four parties at Northcrest/Robbinswood Living Centre
- Contact: Barb Perri, (231) 744-5445, [email protected]
Respect Life
Respect Life is a ministry dedicated to the principle that life is sacred from conception to natural death and to overcoming the culture of death. The group raises awareness at Prince of Peace on all respect-life issues and works with and supports various life groups and agencies in the community. It meets monthly September through May.
- Monthly meetings September–May
- Contacts: Marie Farage (616-334-3141) and Maurene Schumann ([email protected])
Bereavement & Funeral Luncheons
When a death occurs in the parish, the Bereavement Ministry offers a luncheon after the funeral Mass if the family desires it, and the Bereavement Support Group offers prayerful presence and compassion at the funeral home and church throughout the process. Volunteers call parishioners for food donations, set up the hall, warm food, make coffee, and clean up afterward.
- Funeral luncheon coordinator: Shirley Plymale (231-744-9367)
- Bereavement support: Marge Stidham (231-744-1780)
- Funeral Liturgy Planner available through the parish office
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open at the main church in North Muskegon. Phone (231) 744-3321; fax (231) 744-4859; general email [email protected]. A Parish Registration Form is available to download from the website. Visitors are welcomed at both worship sites, and Google Maps directions are linked from the contact page for each location.
- Parish office: 1110 Dykstra Rd., Muskegon, MI 49445
- Phone: (231) 744-3321 | Fax: (231) 744-4859
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Registration Form downloadable from the About page
- Facebook: facebook.com/princeofpeacenm
- Youth Instagram: @princeofpeacenm_youth