About Sacred Heart · Dearborn, Michigan
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish and School in Dearborn, Michigan traces its origins to 1836, when a handful of Irish Catholic pioneers gathered for the first Mass in the home of Mrs. Ryan, celebrated by Fr. O'Kavanagh on his muddy journey out from Detroit. Originally known as St. John's Parish, it was rededicated in 1875 under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. Matthew Schaeken. Today it is a parish-and-school community in the Archdiocese of Detroit, part of the Hope Renewed Family of Parishes formed in 2021, with weekend Masses on Saturdays and Sundays, a PreK-8th grade school, a faith formation program, youth ministry, Christian outreach, and the historic Mount Kelly Cemetery on its grounds.
- Established
- 1836
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Kenneth (Ken) Chase
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a multi-generational parish where families can put down deep roots — children attend the parish PreK-8 Catholic school, receive faith formation through elementary and middle-school programs, prepare for Confirmation, and grow through youth ministry (F.I.R.E., middle school J.A.M.S., high school youth group, mission trips, and World Youth Day). Adults are drawn into liturgical ministry, music, Christian Outreach (including the monthly PBJ Outreach to the homeless in Detroit, Knit-Wits for Covenant House Michigan, and the Thanksgiving meal at Manna House), and the care of the historic Mount Kelly Cemetery. As part of the Hope Renewed Family of Parishes formed in 2021, Sacred Heart offers the warmth of a neighborhood parish combined with the resources of a regional Catholic community.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (per Mass Finder; parish lists confessions by appointment and communal Advent/Lent services)
Adoration times
- Adoration begins following the 9:00 AM Mass and concludes at 12:00 PM (per Mass Finder)
Parish History
Sacred Heart traces its origins to 1836, when Fr. O'Kavanagh celebrated the first Mass in the Dearbornville home of Mrs. Ryan for a small group of Irish Catholic pioneer families. The community worshipped in private homes until 1848, when the first church — named St. John's — was completed on Mason Street through the urging of Fr. John Farnam. In 1856 Fr. Patrick O'Kelly was appointed pastor; he died in 1858 and remains buried beneath the chapel floor. In 1874 the church was moved and extensively renovated, and in 1875 Pastor Fr. Matthew Schaeken consecrated the parish to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Borgess of Detroit officially rededicated the church as Sacred Heart that year. As the parish's full history page puts it: 'It was Dearborn that Father added the 'O' to his name; most likely to distinguish his family from other Kelly families in the area.' A centennial history was published in 1937, the same year the present church was dedicated on the Feast of Christ the King.
- 1836: First Mass celebrated at the home of Mrs. Ryan by Fr. O'Kavanagh
- 1837-1840: Masses held in homes of John Reidy, M. McFall, John Cronin, and Matthew Coyne
- 1843: Frame of the first church raised on a lot donated by Captain Howard
- 1848: St. John's Church completed under Fr. John Farnam
- 1856: Fr. Patrick O'Kelly appointed to take charge of St. John's
- 1874: Church moved to a hilltop site on Mason Street and renovated
- 1875: Rededicated as Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. Matthew Schaeken with Bishop Borgess
- 1916: Fr. Sharpe begins multi-decade building program at Michigan & Military
- 1918: IHM Sisters arrive to staff the new school (180 children)
- 1926: Proper convent built on Garrison Street for the IHM Sisters
- 1929: Church building erected
- October 31, 1937: Present church dedicated on the Feast of Christ the King (centennial)
- 1954: New high school opens; athletic teams dubbed the Shamrocks
- Mid-1970s: High school closes; grade school consolidates into newer building
- Mid-1980s: Parish celebrates 150th anniversary
Mount Kelly Cemetery
The historic Mount Kelly Cemetery on the parish grounds is named after Fr. Patrick O'Kelly, the Irish-born priest (1792-1858) who took charge of the parish in 1856 and whose remains are buried beneath the chapel floor. The cemetery contains the graves of soldiers going back to the Civil War, as well as people from the old Eloise Hospital and St. Joseph's Retreat, including Religious who ministered to the sick. Originally Cherry Hill Road ran through the cemetery rather than along its perimeter. Cemetery manager Elena Lovelace oversees the grounds.
- Named for Fr. Patrick O'Kelly (1792-1858), buried beneath the chapel floor
- Contains graves dating back to the Civil War
- Includes burials from Eloise Hospital and St. Joseph's Retreat
- Cherry Hill Road once cut through the cemetery
- Manager: Elena Lovelace
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School serves students from Preschool through 8th grade in a faith-centered environment with small classes, bus transportation, before- and after-school care, extracurricular activities, and a strong sports program. The mission is 'academic excellence, faith formation & service inspired by the teachings of Jesus,' with Father Ken Chase playing an active and visible role in the spiritual life of the school. Kimberly Ayrault serves as school principal and Leslie Burnett as school secretary; the school address is 22513 Garrison, Dearborn, MI 48124, (313) 561-9192.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Small classes, bus transportation, before/after school care
- Strong sports program
- Principal: Kimberly Ayrault
- School Secretary: Leslie Burnett
- Phone: (313) 561-9192
- Address: 22513 Garrison, Dearborn, MI 48124
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Faith Formation office, directed by Julie Wieleba-Milkie, provides catechesis for children from Preschool (ages 3-5) through Grade 8. The Religious Education Offices are located in the Michigan Building, (313) 565-1020. Elementary grades 1-5 use 'Discover' from St. Mary's Press, with each lesson rooted in the Catholic Children's Bible. Middle School Faith Formation meets Wednesday evenings 6:15-7:30 PM using 'Finding God' by Loyola Press and includes discipleship, service, retreats, and creative projects. Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade using the 'CHOSEN' program from Ascension Press and is celebrated in the Spring of 8th grade year.
- Preschool Program (ages 3-5), Wednesday evenings, ALLELU from Our Sunday Visitor
- Elementary Grades 1-5, Discover from St. Mary's Press / Catholic Children's Bible
- Middle School Grades 6-8, Wednesdays 6:15-7:30 PM, Finding God by Loyola Press
- Confirmation Grades 7-8, CHOSEN by Ascension Press
- Director: Julie Wieleba-Milkie
- Phone: (313) 565-1020
- Office located in the Michigan Building
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Sacred Heart's Youth Ministry embraces an 'open-door' policy — no long-term commitment required. Programs span 4th grade through young adulthood and include F.I.R.E. (Faith-filled Friends, 4th-5th grade, every other month after school), J.A.M.S. (Jesus and Middle School Students, grades 6-8), High School Youth Ministry (grades 9-12), the annual MLK Service Day, Summer Mission Trips, participation in the HOLY FIRE National Youth Conference, World Youth Day pilgrimages, and the CRS Young Adult Food Fast during Lent. The mission is to 'walk with our young people to help them find their place in the life, vision, and mission of our Sacred Heart Parish community.'
- F.I.R.E. Youth Ministry (4th-5th grade, bi-monthly Fridays 3:45-5:30 PM)
- J.A.M.S. — Jesus and Middle School Students (6th-8th grade)
- High School Youth Ministry (grades 9-12)
- HOLY FIRE National Youth Conference
- World Youth Day pilgrimages
- Summer Mission Trip
- Martin Luther King Jr. Service Day
- CRS Young Adult Food Fast (Lent)
Christian Outreach & Service
Sacred Heart's Christian Outreach is coordinated by Karlee Bywalec and offers parishioners of all ages many ways to put faith into action. The signature PBJ Outreach to the Homeless sends teen and adult volunteers monthly (usually the 4th Saturday, 7:30-9:30 AM) into Detroit's Cass Corridor to pass out food and clothing. Other ongoing ministries include Knit-Wits (handmade scarves donated to Covenant House Michigan), the Thanksgiving meal at Manna House, the SouperBowl of Caring, Baskets for Refugees in partnership with the Archdiocesan Ministry to Refugees, and an annual Mount Kelly Cemetery clean-up.
- Christian Outreach Coordinator: Karlee Bywalec
- P.B.J. Outreach to the Homeless — monthly, 4th Saturday, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Knit-Wits scarf ministry for Covenant House Michigan
- Thanksgiving at Manna House (St. Peter Episcopal Church, Detroit)
- SouperBowl of Caring
- Baskets for Refugees (Archdiocesan Ministry to Refugees)
- National Make a Difference Day with Gleaners Food Bank
- National Teen Homelessness Awareness Week
- Mount Kelly Cemetery clean-up days
Worship & Sacraments
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:30 PM and Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 AM. Daily Mass is offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM (Wednesday morning Masses during the school year are typically school Masses and are not public). Eucharistic Adoration follows the 9:00 AM Mass and concludes at 12:00 PM. Reconciliation is offered Saturdays at 3:00 PM and by appointment, with additional communal services during Advent and Lent. The parish prepares children for First Reconciliation beginning in 2nd grade, and adults seeking to complete their initiation are welcomed into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM
- Weekday: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 9:00 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration following 9:00 AM Mass until 12:00 PM
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:00 PM and by appointment
- Communal Reconciliation services in Advent and Lent
- OCIA for adults completing initiation
Hope Renewed Family of Parishes
On July 1, 2021, Archbishop Allen Vigneron formed Sacred Heart into the Hope Renewed Family of Parishes with four neighboring parishes in western Wayne County. The priests in solidum of the family serve all five parishes in a collaborative model. Fr. Robert McCabe serves as Moderator; Fr. Ken Chase is Priest in Solidum primarily responsible for Sacred Heart.
- Formed July 1, 2021 by decree of Archbishop Vigneron
- Sacred Heart Parish and School, Dearborn
- Church of the Divine Child Parish, Dearborn
- Saint Anselm Parish, Dearborn Heights
- Saint Linus Parish, Dearborn Heights
- Saint Sabina Parish, Dearborn Heights
- Moderator: Fr. Robert McCabe
- Priest in Solidum (Sacred Heart): Fr. Ken Chase
Parish Staff & Office
The Parish Office is at 912 South Military Street, Dearborn, MI 48124, phone (313) 278-5555, fax (313) 278-8582. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Ken Chase (pastorshparish.org)
- Parish Administrator: Selma Yaldoo (shadministratorshparish.org)
- Parish Secretary: Terri Gall
- School Principal: Kimberly Ayrault (principalshparish.org)
- School Secretary: Leslie Burnett
- Bookkeeper: Nick Switzer (bookkeepershparish.org)
- Director of Faith Formation, Youth & Family Ministry: Julie Wieleba-Milkie (REdirectorshparish.org)
- Christian Outreach Coordinator: Karlee Bywalec (christianoutreachshparish.org)
- Director of Music: Joe Marino (musicdirectorshparish.org)
- Director of Buildings & Grounds: Thad Kolaroff (buildingsandgroundsshparish.org)
- Cemetery Manager: Elena Lovelace (cemeteryshparish.org)
- Bulletin Editor: Diane Chiola (editorshparish.org)
Giving & Stewardship
Sacred Heart offers several ways to support the parish financially. Members can give electronically through the ParishSOFT Giving platform (recurring or one-time gifts by credit/debit card or electronic check), use weekly offertory envelopes placed in the collection basket, dropped off at the Parish Office, or mailed to 912 South Military, Dearborn, MI 48124, or text 'Give' to 313-488-4148 to donate via mobile phone.
- ParishSOFT online giving (recurring or one-time)
- Weekly offertory envelopes
- Text 'Give' to 313-488-4148
- Mail or drop off donations at 912 South Military, Dearborn, MI 48124
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. O'Kavanagh (Fr. O'Kavanaugh)1836
Pastor of Most Holy Trinity, Detroit; celebrated the first Mass in Dearbornville at the home of Mrs. Ryan.
- Rev. Fr. Cullum1837-1840s
Attended to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of the community; said Mass in the homes of John Reidy and M. McFall.
- Rev. Fr. Dillonmid-1840s
Known for his learning and eloquence; frequently lectured in the Dearborn public school.
- Rev. Fr. John Farnam1840s
Urged and encouraged completion of the first church in 1848.
- Rev. Patrick O'Kelly1856-1858
Appointed to take charge of St. John's (now Sacred Heart); died 1858 and is buried beneath the chapel floor.
- Rev. Matthew Schaekencirca 1874-1875
Renovated and moved the church; in 1875 consecrated the parish to the Sacred Heart and rededicated it.
- Rev. Fr. Sharpeassigned 1916
Gifted organizer; established church committees and acquired the Michigan/Military corner for the new building project.