About Sacred Heart Catholic Church · Oscoda, Michigan
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Gaylord serving Oscoda Township in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Tucked between Lake Huron and US-23, the parish traces its roots to 1866 and is today part of the two-parish Lakeshore Catholic Community alongside Holy Family in East Tawas. Worshippers gather for Mass on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings year-round, with a popular summertime 11:00 am Sunday Mass added for the seasonal population. The parish is known for its strong lay ministries — Faith Formation, Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, choir, homebound ministry, and more — and is currently pastored by Fr. Gerald Okoli, with Fr. Basil Lek serving as parochial vicar.
- Established
- 1866 (first mission established); 1875 (first resident pastor)
- Patron
- The Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Gerald Okoli
- Diocese
- Diocese of Gaylord (Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a small but active parish that warmly welcomes both year-round residents and the many seasonal visitors who swell its numbers each summer (note the added 11:00 am Sunday Mass in summertime). Daily and weekend Mass, Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 9:30 am until 10:30 pm, Rosary thirty minutes before every Mass, and Lenten Stations of the Cross give plenty of ways to pray together. There are real hands-on ways to serve: Faith Formation and RCIA, the Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Right to Life, choir, hospitality, bereavement, and homebound ministry to parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and their own homes.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30 am – 10:30 pm (Eucharistic Adoration)
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart's Catholic story begins before 1675, when followers of Fr. Jacques Marquette are believed to have ministered in the Oscoda area. Fr. Murry of Alpena established the first mission in 1866, and Fr. Patrick Duhigg built the first chapel in 1870. Fr. Roche became the first resident pastor in 1875 and built the church that became known as 'Beautiful Sacred Heart' along with a Daughters of Charity school. After the great fire of 1911 destroyed all church buildings, the parish rebuilt over decades, completing the current church in 1961 — and once again giving Oscoda a 'Beautiful Sacred Heart.'
- 1866 — first mission established by Fr. Murry of Alpena
- 1870 — Fr. Patrick Duhigg builds a small chapel
- 1871 — Bishop Borgess of Detroit celebrates the first Sacrament of Confirmation
- 1875 — Fr. Roche becomes first resident pastor; builds 'Beautiful Sacred Heart' and a school
- 1884 — Fr. P.C. Winter adds a rectory and a branch church/school in Oscoda
- 1894 — Fr. J.E. Mahar serves the parish at its peak of 900 families
- 1911 — great fire destroys all church buildings
- 1954 — 400-seat parish hall built on the new US-23 / Lake Huron site
- 1961 — new church completed and blessed by Bishop Woznicki
- 1971 — Diocese of Gaylord established
- 1996 — baptismal pool, slate flooring, and boulder altar/Tabernacle installed
- 2008 — new Family Center completed
Lakeshore Catholic Community
Sacred Heart in Oscoda is paired with Holy Family in East Tawas as the Lakeshore Catholic Community, sharing the website hf-sh.org and joint resources such as the music director's email. Fr. Basil Lek serves as Parochial Vicar across the community.
- Sacred Heart — Oscoda, MI — (989) 739-9511
- Holy Family — East Tawas, MI — (989) 362-3162
Clergy and Staff
The parish is pastored by Fr. Gerald Okoli, with Fr. Basil Lek serving as Parochial Vicar and Dcn. Thomas Anderson assisting. Msgr. James Brucksch, Pastor Emeritus, continues to celebrate Mass. Lay staff include Richard Copland (Director of Religious Education / Business Manager / Communications), Lanny Velasco (Parish Life Coordinator / Bulletin Editor / Media / Website), Tina Donze (Music Director), and Gary Mandeville (Maintenance).
- Fr. Gerald Okoli — Pastor
- Fr. Basil Lek — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Thomas Anderson — Deacon
- Msgr. James Brucksch — Pastor Emeritus
- Richard Copland — Director of Religious Education / Business Manager / Communications
- Lanny Velasco — Parish Life Coordinator / Bulletin Editor / Media / Website
- Tina Donze — Music Director
- Gary Mandeville — Maintenance
Devotions and Prayer Opportunities
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish gathers for the Rosary thirty minutes before every Mass and prays the Stations of the Cross together during Lent. The Music Ministry coordinates cantors, the choir, the Lakeshore Catholic Youth Choir, and parish rosary leaders.
- Rosary — 30 minutes before every Mass
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Eucharistic Adoration — Fridays 9:30 am – 10:30 pm
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation is the parish's catechetical ministry, with classes that meet in the new Family Center — a building whose multi-purpose room can be subdivided into six individual classrooms. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) welcomes new members with roles for sponsors, leaders, and team members. Vacation Bible School 'Catholic Boot Camp' is a summer highlight, and Youth Ministry serves the parish's younger members.
- Faith Formation classes for children and youth
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — Sponsor, Leader, Team member
- Vacation Bible School — 'Catholic Boot Camp'
- Youth Ministry
Music and Liturgy
Sacred Heart's Music Ministry is led by Music Director Tina Donze and includes a parish choir, cantors, instrumentalists, the Lakeshore Catholic Youth Choir, and Rosary Leaders before Mass. Liturgical volunteers serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, sacristans, and ushers, and a separate Funeral Mass team fills those roles at funeral liturgies.
- Choir Member
- Cantor
- Musician
- Lakeshore Catholic Youth Choir
- Rosary Leaders before Mass
- Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Altar Server, Sacristan, Usher
Parish Activities and Fellowship
Parish life extends well beyond Sunday Mass. Adults gather for Fun and Fellowship every Tuesday from 12:30–4:00 pm in the Family Center (bring your own game or deck of cards). A chair-exercise class meets Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 am in the Family Center, using light weights, an exercise band, and in-place walking. The Council of Catholic Women hosts events such as the Advent Tea and a Mothers' Day Luncheon and staffs the Religious Goods Counter.
- Adult Fun and Fellowship — Tuesdays 12:30–4:00 pm, Sacred Heart Family Center
- Exercise Class — Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 am, Sacred Heart Family Center
- Council of Catholic Women — Advent Tea, Mothers' Day Luncheon, Religious Goods Counter
- Hospitality — Greeters/Ushers, Welcome New Parishioners, Photographer, Parish Reporter, Lenten Soup Suppers
Outreach and Social Justice
Sacred Heart's outreach is rooted in baptismal calling. The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, the Right to Life committee, and the Parish Health Ministry are the main social-justice arms, while the Homebound Ministry brings the Eucharist and pastoral care to parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, and their own homes.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Right to Life Committee
- Parish Health Ministry
- Homebound Ministry (Hospital, Nursing Home/Assisted Living, Home visits)
- Bereavement Ministry
Knights of Columbus
The local Knights of Columbus council follows the founding vision of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, supporting members and their families through fraternity, insurance, and countless service hours. The council now meets in the Sacred Heart Family Center, which it relocated into in 2008.
- Business Meetings — first Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm, Sacred Heart parish hall
- Social Meetings — third Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm, Sacred Heart parish hall
- Contacts — Jim Dion, Membership Director (739-3822, [email protected]); Mark Zywot, Grand Knight (248-224-2958, [email protected])
Sacraments
Sacred Heart celebrates all seven sacraments in the life of the Church. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons or by appointment. Adult baptism and full initiation are prepared for through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — the parish's 1996 baptismal pool installation was specifically designed to support the restored RCIA rite. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and the Homebound Ministry brings sacramental care to the sick and elderly.
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00 pm or by appointment
- Baptism (including adult initiation through RCIA)
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / Homebound visits
Parish Facilities
The parish campus sits on ten acres between Lake Huron and US-23. The 1961 church seats the main congregation, while the 2008 Family Center provides a large industrial kitchen and a multi-purpose room that divides into six classrooms for Faith Formation and other parish events. The Knights of Columbus relocated their council into the Family Center the same year, bringing all parish groups under one roof.
- 1961 church building (blessed by Bishop Woznicki)
- 1954 parish hall (originally 400-seat worship space)
- 2008 Family Center with industrial kitchen and multi-purpose/classroom space
- Knights of Columbus council hall, now housed within the Family Center
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Sacred Heart at the address below. The parish also offers online giving, weekly bulletins, a parish calendar, and the myParish app for staying connected.
- Address: 5300 N US 23, Oscoda, MI 48750
- Phone: (989) 739-9511
- Fax: (989) 569-6100
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://hf-sh.org/sacredheart/
- Online giving, bulletins, calendar, and myParish app available via the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Murry1866
Parish priest of Alpena; established the first mission and purchased three lots in AuSable.
- Fr. Patrick Duhigg1870
Built a small chapel in AuSable.
- Fr. Roche1875–1884
First resident pastor; built the church known as 'Beautiful Sacred Heart' and a school staffed by the Daughters of Charity (50 to 250 pupils).
- Fr. P.C. Winter1884
Added a rectory and a branch church/school in Oscoda; assisted by Fr. Russeman.
- Fr. J.E. Mahar1894
Assisted by Fr. Edward LeFebvre; parish rose to top rank in the Diocese of Grand Rapids with 900 families.
- Fr. J.A. Doucet1895
Took over the united parish after ministering to French-speaking parishioners.
- Fr. L.S. LaMontague1901–1911
Served until the great fire of 1911 destroyed all church buildings; arranged Mass in a Swedish Lutheran church on Piety Hill.
- Fr. Lawrence Greiner1950–1953
First resident pastor of Oscoda in the modern era; also served Mikado and was Auxiliary Chaplain of Wurtsmith AFB.
- Fr. Henry DuRussel1953–1963
Built the 400-seat parish hall (1954); oversaw construction of the new church blessed in 1961; assisted by Fr. Edward O'Reilly.
- Fr. Fred Thomas1963
Auxiliary Chaplain for Wurtsmith AFB and the Amley Knights of Columbus.
- Fr. Isadore Mikulski1985–1995
Served as Administrator of the Diocese of Gaylord between Bishop Rose and Bishop Cooney; installed faceted glass windows, new heating, new roof; donated statue of the Blessed Virgin.
- Fr. James Brucksch1995–2009
Vicar General of the Diocese of Gaylord; former Director of the Diocesan Worship Office; awarded honorary title of Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012; continues to celebrate Mass at the parish.
- Fr. Charles Donajkowski2009
Named pastor upon Msgr. Brucksch's retirement.
- Fr. Gerald Okolipresent
Current pastor; Fr. Basil Lek serves as Parochial Vicar.