About Saint Michael the Archangel · Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish serving the Murrells Inlet community in coastal South Carolina. Founded in 1975, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Charleston and has grown to roughly 4,293 registered households, with seating for 1,200 in the current worship space. Today it offers a full sacramental life — multiple weekend and daily Masses (including a Spanish Mass), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school (PreK–8), faith formation for children and youth, and OCIA for adults — guided by Pastor Fr. Joseph Romanoski and a large team of parochial vicars and deacons.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph V. Romanoski
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Myrtle Beach Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Michael's is a large, welcoming parish with something for nearly every age and stage of Catholic life: seven weekend Masses (including a weekly Spanish Mass), daily Mass six days a week, and Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Families can enroll children in the parish's PreK–8 Catholic school or in the Sunday Religious Education program, while adults can journey into the Church through OCIA, deepen their faith in Bible study or Cursillo, or serve through ministries such as the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life, Grief Support, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Hispanic Ministry. With more than 4,290 households, the parish combines the vitality of a big community with the warmth of a coastal South Carolina family.
Mass times at Saint Michael the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: before the 8:00 a.m. Mass
- Tuesday & Thursday: 30 minutes before the 12:00 p.m. Mass (also listed as 11:30 a.m. on the diocesan directory)
- Wednesday: 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: before the 8:00 a.m. Mass and at 2:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (in the Chapel)
- Holy Hour for Vocations — Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Parish History & Background
St. Michael the Archangel was founded in 1975 in Murrells Inlet, a coastal community in the Diocese of Charleston. The original worship building was dedicated on July 18, 1976. The parish grew rapidly through the 1980s and 1990s, and in 1999 built its own parish school on the Cypress Avenue campus. A major milestone came on August 17, 2012, when the Bishop of Charleston dedicated a new, larger St. Michael Catholic Church on the campus; funds for that construction received a famous boost in December 2009 when parochial vicar Fr. Andrew Trapp won $100,000 on the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge and donated the winnings to the building fund.
- Founded 1975; original church dedicated July 18, 1976
- New church dedicated August 17, 2012
- Fr. Andrew Trapp's PokerStars $100,000 donation (Dec 2009)
- Duffy Center opened September 2004, named for founding pastor Msgr. Duffy
- Today: ~4,293 households, 1,200-seat worship space
Parish Staff
The pastoral team is led by Pastor Rev. Joseph V. Romanoski and supported by two parochial vicars — Rev. Boniface Maasoayele (full-time) and Rev. Marco Antonio da Cruz (part-time) — and an exceptionally large diaconate of seven deacons, several of whom coordinate specific ministries. The parish staff also includes a Director of Music Ministry, Director of Faith Formation, Office Manager, parish secretary, financial secretary, office associates, Director of Hispanic Ministry, and Director of Maintenance.
- Pastor: Fr. Joseph Romanoski
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Boniface Maasoayele; Fr. Marco Antonio da Cruz
- Deacons: Manny Acosta, Daniel Dobay, Felipe Castillo, Robert Davis, Jeff Pierfy, Patrick Snyder, Rob Starr, John Tomasicchio
- Director of Music Ministry: Joshua Colbert
- Director of Faith Formation: Christine Schwenke
- Director of Hispanic Ministry: Deacon Felipe Castillo
- Office Manager: Nikki Redmond Hufnagel; Director of Maintenance: Joe Murphy
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for children is overseen by Christine Schwenke, Director of Faith Formation. Sunday School (CCD) is offered for PreK (4-year-olds) through 6th grade on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in the school building, and for 7th and 8th grade students in the Parish Activity Center (PAC). Classes run September through early May, beginning the first Sunday after Labor Day. Sacramental fees are $35 for First Communion and $70 for Confirmation; early registration is due by July 31. Students are confirmed in the fall of their freshman year of high school.
- PreK–6th: Sundays 10:30–11:45 a.m. in the school building
- 7th–8th: Sundays in the Parish Activity Center
- First Communion fee: $35; Confirmation fee: $70
- Early registration deadline: July 31
- Confirmation in the fall of freshman year
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for adults seeking to learn about or join the Catholic Church, as well as for Catholics wishing to deepen their faith or sponsor a candidate. Sessions meet every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center, beginning the Wednesday after Labor Day, and typically culminate at the Easter Vigil with the full initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion.
- Wednesday evenings 7:00–9:00 p.m., Parish Activity Center
- Begins the Wednesday after Labor Day
- Culminates at the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion
- Open to inquirers, catechumens, candidates, sponsors, and Catholics who want to learn more
- Contact: Christine Schwenke, ext. 227 / [email protected]
Youth & High School Ministry
Beyond the Religious Education track, the parish offers an active youth ministry program for middle- and high-school students. Middle school youth ministry meets in the Science Lab at St. Michael Catholic School, and high school youth ministry meets in the Duffy Center. Members are also encouraged to participate in other parish ministries, such as altar serving and the Children's Choir.
- Middle School: Science Lab @ St. Michael Catholic School
- High School: Duffy Center @ St. Michael Catholic School
- Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (high school)
- Encouraged to serve as altar servers and in Children's Choir
St. Michael Catholic School
St. Michael Catholic School has educated children of the Coastal Carolina area since 1999 as an integral part of the parish campus within the Diocese of Charleston. The school opened with grades K–4 and added one grade each year; by 2003 it served students through eighth grade, and the Duffy Center gym/meeting space (opened 2004) expanded student life. Faith formation is central: each school day begins and ends with prayer, religion is taught in every grade, students attend weekly Mass, and classes go regularly to Eucharistic Adoration and Confession.
- Serving PreK through 8th grade since 1999
- Located on the parish campus at 542 Cypress Avenue
- School website: saintmichaelsc.com
- School phone: (843) 651-6795
- Principal: Jeanette Rossiter
- 2013: iPads and Chromebooks added; 2014: final smartboard installed
Liturgical & Music Ministries
The Music Ministry, directed by Joshua Colbert, supports the parish's many Masses and devotions through three main ensembles: the Adult Choir (Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.), the Youth Choir (Thursday at 5:00 p.m.), and the Contemporary Choir (Wednesday at 6:45 p.m.). Other liturgical ministries include altar servers (coordinated by Deacon Daniel Dobay), the Church Environment committee, and the gift shop, which is open before and after weekend Masses.
- Adult Choir: Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
- Youth Choir: Thursday 5:00 p.m.
- Contemporary Choir: Wednesday 6:45 p.m.
- Altar Servers: contact Deacon Daniel Dobay
- Gift Shop open before/after weekend Masses
Parish Outreach & Charity
St. Michael's runs an extensive outreach ministry touching families affected by serious illness, grief, and isolation. Support groups meet in the Parish Activity Center throughout the month for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's, cancer patients, those grieving a loss, and those recovering from divorce. The Respect Life committee meets monthly to advance the Church's teaching on the dignity of life, and the parish also supports the work of St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and a Hospital/Homebound Ministry that brings the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass.
- Cancer Support: 3rd Tuesday, 10 a.m., PAC Hall
- Caregiver / Alzheimer's Support: 1st & 3rd Monday, 10:30 a.m.
- Grief & Loss Support: 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10 a.m., PAC
- Divorce Recovery: 2nd & last Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., PAC A
- Respect Life: 2nd Wednesday, 10 a.m., PAC A
- St. Vincent de Paul; Knights of Columbus; Catholic Daughters
- Hospital / Homebound Ministry
Spiritual Life & Devotions
Beyond the Mass and Confession schedule, St. Michael's offers a rich devotional life. Perpetual Adoration in the Chapel is the spiritual backbone of the parish; a scheduled Holy Hour for Vocations is held every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Marian devotion runs through several groups — a monthly Marian Gathering (2nd Sunday, 2:30 p.m.), the Marian Movement of Priests (Thursday mornings at 8:45 a.m.), and a Legion of Mary Auxiliary. Other devotions include the Miraculous Medal Novena after Monday Mass, Charismatic Prayer, Centering Prayer, Life in the Spirit mornings, and a Rosary Makers group that crafts rosaries for missions.
- Perpetual Adoration, 24/7, Chapel
- Holy Hour for Vocations: Thu 5:30 p.m.
- Miraculous Medal Novena: Monday after 8 a.m. Mass
- Marian Gathering: 2nd Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
- Marian Movement of Priests: Thu 8:45 a.m.
- Charismatic Prayer: Tue 1 p.m.
- Centering Prayer: Mon 10 a.m.
- Life in the Spirit: 1st Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
- Rosary Makers: 1st Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Fellowship, Service & Fraternal Organizations
A number of lay and fraternal organizations give parishioners a way to form community and put faith into action. The Knights of Columbus and 4th Degree Assembly, Catholic Daughters, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Secular Franciscans (OFS), Cursillo, EnCourage, Mothers Prayer Group, and Joyful Hearts (a 55+ social group) all meet regularly on the parish campus. The parish also hosts Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts in the school classrooms and runs the COR men's fellowship and a Columbarium for inurnment.
- Knights of Columbus: 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., PAC Hall
- Knights of Columbus 4th Degree: 4th Thursday, 7 p.m., PAC Hall
- Catholic Daughters: 4th Monday, 7 p.m., PAC
- Cursillo Ultreya: 1st Monday, 6:30 p.m., PAC Hall
- Secular Franciscans (OFS)
- EnCourage Ministry ([email protected])
- Mothers Prayer Group: 3rd Monday, 9 a.m.
- Joyful Hearts (55+): check bulletin for events
- Cub Scouts: Mon 6:30 p.m., Duffy Center
- Girl Scouts: Mon 6:30 p.m., school classrooms
- Columbarium: appointments Mon–Fri, 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Visiting & Joining the Parish
St. Michael's warmly invites first-time visitors and long-time members alike. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.) and can be reached at (843) 651-3737 or [email protected]. Mass is livestreamed each week from the church for those unable to attend in person, and weekly readings are linked from the homepage. Newcomers can find information about OCIA, Religious Education registration, the parish school, and a wide range of ministries on the parish website at saintmichaelsc.net.
- Parish Office: Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (closed Fri–Sun)
- Phone: (843) 651-3737; Fax: (843) 651-6316
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintmichaelsc.net
- Weekly Mass livestream and readings posted online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Duffy
Founder of St. Michael Catholic Church and School; the Duffy Center (opened 2004) is named in his honor.
- Fr. Andrew Trapp
Parochial vicar (circa 2009); won $100,000 on the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge in December 2009 and donated it to the new church building.
- Fr. Bill Hearne
Newly ordained priest who took over Fr. Trapp's role when Fr. Trapp moved to another parish (circa 2011).
- Rev. Joseph V. Romanoski
Current pastor.