About Sacred Heart · Gladwin, Michigan
Sacred Heart Parish is a Catholic parish in Gladwin, Michigan, part of the Diocese of Saginaw and served by the same pastor as the nearby St. Athanasius Parish in Harrison (together marketed as 'Two Parishes, One Faith'). Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Father J. Marcel Portelli, the parish is dedicated to bringing 'the fullness of Catholic truth to the Gladwin community,' helping good Catholics become holier, welcoming back former Catholics, and leading non-Catholics into the Faith. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses, regular confession, Eucharistic adoration on Thursdays, First Friday devotions, rosary before Masses, a robust faith formation program, and runs the long-standing Sacred Heart Mission, a 501(c)(3) charity serving residents of Gladwin County in need.
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. J. Marcel Portelli
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a small but mission-focused parish that takes literally its Great Commission call to 'make disciples of all nations.' It pairs traditional Catholic devotional life — daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration on Thursdays, First Friday devotions, rosary before every Mass, and frequent confession — with active outreach: the Sacred Heart Mission charity has served Gladwin County's poor for over 40 years. The parish also runs a full faith formation program (children, youth, adult initiation, family ministry, and evangelization), lay ministries such as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers and greeters, a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Michael Prayer Sodality, Bible studies, retreats, and men's and women's conferences.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays 7:30 AM – 8:15 AM (year-round)
- Saturdays (Standard Time) 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Saturdays (Daylight Saving Time) 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- First Fridays 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Eucharistic Exposition at Sacred Heart)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Parish in Gladwin, Michigan is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Saginaw. The parish identifies itself by a clear mission statement built on Matthew 28:19-20: 'We, the members of Sacred Heart Parish, are dedicated to serving Christ by bringing the fullness of Catholic truth to the Gladwin community. We help good Catholics become holier Catholics, bring former Catholics home, and lead non-Catholics into the fullness of the Faith.' Sacred Heart shares its pastor with nearby St. Athanasius Parish in Harrison, and together they describe themselves as 'Two Parishes, One Faith.'
- Mission statement rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Partnered with St. Athanasius Parish in Harrison, MI
- Part of the Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 4)
- Pastoral leadership: Rev. Father J. Marcel Portelli
Parish History
Sacred Heart has a long-standing presence in Gladwin. The parish opened its school — Sacred Heart School — in 1918. That school closed during the Great Depression in 1932 and reopened twenty years later in 1952, reaching an estimated peak enrollment of about 165 students in 1967. By 2010, with only nine students enrolled for the upcoming academic year and per-pupil costs at roughly $8,700, Bishop Joseph R. Cistone of Saginaw accepted the recommendation of the school board, finance council, pastoral council, and then-pastor Rev. John Cotter to close the school. The parish then refocused on K-12 religious education and community evangelization.
- Sacred Heart School founded 1918
- School closed 1932 during the Great Depression; reopened 1952
- Peak enrollment ~165 students in 1967
- School permanently closed in 2010 under Bishop Joseph R. Cistone
- Pastor at time of closure: Rev. John Cotter (serving since 2006)
- Pastor Father Marcel Portelli later created a parish 'history wall' featuring images of past clergy
Sacred Heart Mission (Outreach)
The Sacred Heart Mission for Gladwin Co. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in the 1970s by several women of Sacred Heart Parish who felt called to mission work. It has served Gladwin County residents in need for over 40 years. Originally meeting in a smaller space, it moved into a former VFW Hall at 220 S. James Robertson Drive in Gladwin — across from the Gladwin Sports Complex off Cedar Avenue — which dramatically increased its visibility and ability to serve.
- Founded in the 1970s by women of Sacred Heart Parish
- 501(c)(3) charitable organization
- Guided by Fr. J. Marcel Portelli and a volunteer board of directors
- Coordinator: Aggie Mackie
- Thrift Store: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–3:30 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–2:30 PM
- Assistance & Donations: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Phone: 989-426-4661
- Mailing: P.O. Box 556, Gladwin, MI 48624
- Email: [email protected]
- Helps with utilities, propane, water bills, prescriptions, energy bills, auto repair; provides food, clothing, and household items after fire loss
Faith Formation & Religious Education
After the 2010 closure of Sacred Heart School, the parish committed to building a 'solid religious education program for our Catholic students in grades K-12.' Faith formation at Sacred Heart now spans the whole life of the disciple, from protecting children and young people to forming adults and reaching out to families and non-Catholics. Nikki Wolfgang serves as Director of Faith Formation.
- Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
- Families ministry
- Adult Initiation & Ongoing Formation (RCIA-style)
- Evangelization
- Director of Faith Formation: Nikki Wolfgang
Adult Initiation & Ongoing Formation
For adults who have fully entered the Catholic Church, those still exploring, and those eager to live the Faith more deeply, Sacred Heart offers a robust slate of formation opportunities. Inquiries go to Angie via the parish email.
- St. Michael Prayer Sodality
- Weekly Eucharistic Adoration
- Bible study programs
- Christian Service opportunities
- Lenten retreats
- Men's and Women's Conferences
- Recurring adult classes
- Recycled cards and quilts for charity
- Special guest speakers
- Numerous parish volunteer opportunities
Parish Staff & Leadership
Sacred Heart is led by a pastor and supported by a lay staff handling business, formation, music, and facilities, along with lay ministers and council chairs.
- Rev. J. Marcel Portelli — Pastor
- Jill Witkowski — Business Manager / Accountant
- Nikki Wolfgang — Director of Faith Formation
- Kathy Rettelle — Music Director
- Mary Campbell — Parish Secretary
- Tim Shea — Facilities Manager
- Kelly Fruchey — Lay Minister
- Rob Neering — Lay Minister
- Sandi Neering — Lay Minister & Tribunal Marriage Procurator
- David Poxon — Finance Council Chair
- John Cantalin — Pastoral Council Chair
Liturgical Ministries
Sacred Heart welcomes parishioners into liturgical service as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, and Greeters. Each role requires initial and ongoing formation, and ministers are scheduled in rotating teams.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (assist with distribution and bring Communion to the sick/homebound)
- Ushers & Greeters (assist with seating, collection, communion lines, emergencies, the elderly and handicapped)
- Sunday Ushers: Phil Baumann Team alternating with Roy Streeter Team
- Saturday Ushers: Terry Govitz Team alternating with Roy Frappier Team
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach Sacred Heart by phone, email, or in person during office hours. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM. The parish uses the myParish app and Evangelus to keep parishioners connected with the weekly bulletin, calendar, daily readings, prayers, and the Bible.
- Address: 330 N Silverleaf St, Gladwin, MI 48624
- Main Phone: 989-426-7154
- Pastoral Emergencies: 989-426-7154 x210
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Prayer Chain: 989-426-7154
- Tools: free myParish app; Evangelus email & SMS updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Cotter2006–at least 2010
Led the parish through the 2010 closure of Sacred Heart School; called the Sacred Heart Mission 'Christian action at its best.'