About Saint Rafka [Maronite] · Livonia, Michigan
Saint Rafka Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in Livonia, Michigan, belonging to the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (Maronite), under the pastoral care of the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch. The parish serves a community of more than 250 families in the western suburbs of Detroit and offers its Sunday Divine Liturgy in English, Arabic, and Aramaic — reflecting the ancient Syriac liturgical tradition of the Maronite Church. The community worships in a former Roman Catholic church building purchased and consecrated in 2014, and lives out its mission through faith formation for youth and adults, Christian service and outreach, and a range of parish organizations including the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) and Maronite Young Adults (MYA). The parish's name honors Saint Rafka (Rafqa) Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès, a Lebanese Maronite nun canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
- Established
- 2003 (as St. Rafka Mission); elevated to parish in 2014
- Patron
- Saint Rafka (Rafqa) Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès, Lebanese Maronite nun
- Rector
- Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin, Ph.D.
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (Maronite Catholic), under the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch. Ordinary: Most Reverend A. Elias Zaidan, M.L. (Bishop since 2013). Eparchy offices: 1021 S. 10th St., St. Louis, MO 63104.
Why belong here
Saint Rafka is a growing Maronite Catholic community in metro Detroit's western suburbs where you can worship God in the ancient Syriac-Maronite tradition using English, Arabic, and Aramaic — and be fully received at the Eucharist like any other Catholic. The parish is small enough that newcomers are known by name, yet active enough to offer religious education (K–6), an Arabic language program, the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) for grades 7–12, Maronite Young Adults groups (jMYA 18–24 and MYA 25–35), a parish scholarship, weekly bulletins, a live-streamed liturgy, and Christian service and outreach to both local and international causes.
Mass times at Saint Rafka [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM (before Divine Liturgy)
- Wednesday: 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM (after the 7:00 PM Divine Liturgy, during Adoration)
- By request — contact the church office
Adoration times
- Wednesday evenings: after the 7:00 PM Divine Liturgy until 8:30 PM (with Benediction and Confessions)
About Saint Rafka Maronite Church
Saint Rafka Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in Livonia, Michigan, in full communion with Rome and belonging to the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles under Bishop A. Elias Zaidan. The parish carries the Maronite tradition — a Syriac-Catholic heritage tracing to St. Maron (d. 410 AD) — into the western suburbs of Detroit, and welcomes any Catholic to worship and receive Communion there. Sunday Divine Liturgy is celebrated at 11:30 AM in a multilingual format that includes prayers and music in English, Arabic, and Aramaic.
- Name: Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church
- Location: 32765 Lyndon Street, Livonia, MI 48154
- Eparchy: Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (Maronite)
- Bishop: Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan, M.L.
- Pastor: Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin, Ph.D. (since July 1, 2020)
Our Patron — Saint Rafka
The parish is named for Saint Rafka (Rafqa) Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès, a Lebanese Maronite nun. Her feast day is March 23. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 16, 1985, and canonized on June 10, 2001 at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome by Pope John Paul II.
- Feast day: March 23
- Beatified: November 16, 1985 by Pope John Paul II
- Canonized: June 10, 2001, Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, by Pope John Paul II
Parish History
Founded in October 2003 as a mission of about 10–15 families meeting in the Madonna University student chapel, the community grew steadily — moving to the rented St. Maurice Catholic Church property in 2007, then purchasing it in 2013. Bishop A. Elias Zaidan consecrated the building as Saint Rafka Maronite Church in April 2014, formally elevating the community to a parish. Today the parish serves more than 250 families under pastor Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin.
- 2003 — Mission begins in Madonna University student chapel, Livonia. Leaders: Fr. John Paul Kimes and the late Deacon Alfred Morad; supported by Chorbishop Michael Kail.
- 2007 — Mission relocates to St. Maurice Catholic Church in Livonia; former convent becomes home base.
- August 2013 — Fr. Tony Massad assigned as pastor; purchase of St. Maurice property finalized.
- April 2014 — Bishop A. Elias Zaidan consecrates the building as Saint Rafka Maronite Church; community elevated to parish (150+ families).
- 2013–14 — Religious Education and Arabic language programs launched for Grades 1–6; MYO launched for Grades 7–12.
- 2018 — St. Rafka Parish Scholarship Program established for active high school seniors.
- July 1, 2020 — Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin, Ph.D., assigned as pastor.
- Today — 250+ families, weekly Sunday Liturgy and full calendar of social and faith-based events; apostolic visit by Patriarch Mar Bechara Rai.
Our Pastor — Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin
Abouna Rodrigue was appointed pastor of St. Rafka Church by Bishop Elias Zaidan on July 1, 2020. He grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, in a family of six, and entered the seminary at age 18. He completed his S.T.B. in theology at the Pontifical School of Theology at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in 2001 and was ordained a priest on July 20, 2003. His first assignment was as administrator, then pastor, of Holy Family Maronite Church in St. Paul, Minnesota (2003–2014), where he led the relocation of the parish to a larger church in Mendota Heights. He later earned a Ph.D. in moral theology at The Catholic University of America (2020); his dissertation on John of Apamea's Dialogues on the Soul was the first academic treatment of that 5th-century Syriac work from a moral-theology perspective. He also holds Master's degrees from St. Paul Seminary and the University of St. Thomas. Alongside St. Rafka, he teaches ethics at Madonna University and pastoral counseling at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
- Ordained: July 20, 2003
- Previous assignment: Holy Family Maronite Church, St. Paul / Mendota Heights, MN (2003–2014)
- Ph.D. in Moral Theology, Catholic University of America (2020)
- Dissertation: Passions, Virtue, and Moral Growth in John of Apamea's Dialogues on the Soul
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation at St. Rafka spans childhood through young adulthood. The parish runs a Religious Education program and an Arabic Language program for youth in Grades 1–6, and the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) for Grades 7–12. The Maronite Young Adults groups (jMYA ages 18–24 and MYA ages 25–35) support post-high-school faithful with retreats, dabke, fellowship, and service.
- Religious Education (Grades 1–6)
- Arabic Language Program (Grades 1–6)
- Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) — Grades 7–12 (ages 12–18)
- jMYA — young adults ages 18–24
- MYA — young adults ages 25–35
- Confirmation Classes for Grades 7–8 needing the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation (registration via parish website)
St. Rafka Scholarship Program
Established in 2018 with contributions from members of the parish, the St. Rafka Church Scholarship supports post-secondary educational opportunities for active youth of the parish. Each award is currently $1,000 per student, paid out in two installments.
- Eligibility: graduating high school seniors, members of St. Rafka for at least 3 years, active in MYO/Liturgy/fundraisers, min. 2.5 GPA, enrolled in a vocational or accredited 2-/4-year program
- Award: $1,000 per student
- Selection: Scholarship Committee (MYO, MYA, Finance Council, Parish Council representatives) with the Pastor
Parish Organizations & Councils
Lay leadership and service are organized through councils and standing organizations. Newcomers are encouraged to get involved through the Parish Council, Finance Council, Christian Service, Religious Education, MYO, and MYA.
- Parish Council
- Finance Council
- Christian Service / Outreach (local and international)
- Religious Education
- MYO and MYA / jMYA
Sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing
The Maronite tradition confers Chrismation (Confirmation) together with Baptism, so the parish counsels parents to ensure Confirmation is not received twice later. Baptisms are scheduled at least 3 months in advance, and weddings at least 7 months in advance. The parish also offers Anointing of the Sick, Communion for the homebound, and Last Rites on request.
- Baptism & Chrismation — at least 3 months' notice; celebrated Sat 10:00 AM–12:00 PM or after 4:00 PM, or Sun 1:30 PM or after 5:00 PM; parents meet with the pastor in advance
- First Communion & Confirmation — through parish Religious Education and Confirmation Classes (Grades 7–8)
- Marriage — at least 7 months' notice, before booking a venue; couples review Wedding Guidelines and meet with the pastor
- Anointing of the Sick, Communion for the homebound, Last Rites — by request through the office
Give, Volunteer & Parish Life
Beyond the regular liturgical calendar, the parish sustains a busy community life: a weekly Coffee Hour, an annual Summer Festival (saintrafkafestival.com), Bible studies, mission trips, and Christian Service opportunities local and international. Online giving is available through the parish website, and memorial liturgies and Coffee Hour sponsorships can be requested online.
- Online Giving (one-time and recurring gifts via the parish website)
- Sponsor the Weekly Coffee Hour (online or via the office)
- Annual Summer Festival (see saintrafkafestival.com)
- Request a Memorial Liturgy online
- Christian Service / Outreach — local and international
- Bible studies and small-group fellowship
Watch Live & Weekly Bulletin
Sunday Divine Liturgy (11:30 AM EST) is live-streamed via Facebook Live at facebook.com/SaintRafkaMichigan — no Facebook account is required to watch. The parish also publishes a weekly newsletter with parish news, events, prayer intentions, and community updates.
- Liturgy Live: Facebook Live at facebook.com/SaintRafkaMichigan (Sundays 11:30 AM EST)
- Weekly Bulletin: parish news, events, prayer intentions, community updates
Visit Us & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday (remote), Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; it is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Visitors and prospective parishioners are warmly welcomed at the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
- Address: 32765 Lyndon Street, Livonia, MI 48154
- Phone: (734) 525-2828
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintrafkamichigan.com
- Office Hours: Tue (remote), Wed & Fri, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Mon & Thu)
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 11:30 AM, English & Arabic
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon (Maronite)
Saint Rafka is one of the Maronite Catholic parishes of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, an Eastern Catholic diocese erected on February 19, 1994 by Pope John Paul II. The Eparchy — immediately subject to the Holy See's Dicastery for the Eastern Churches — covers roughly the western and central United States and is pastored by its third bishop, Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan, M.L. (a member of the Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries), who was appointed July 10, 2013. Eparchy offices are based in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Diocese: Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (Maronite)
- Bishop: Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan, M.L. (third bishop; appointed 2013)
- Mother church: St. Raymond Co-Cathedral, St. Louis, MO
- Website: eparchy.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Paul Kimes2003 – c. 2007
First leader of Saint Rafka Maronite Mission, supported by Chorbishop Michael Kail of Saint Sharbel Church and the late Deacon Alfred Morad. Mission began October 2003 in the student chapel of Madonna University.
- Fr. Tony MassadAugust 2013 – June 2020
Assigned as pastor of St. Rafka Maronite Mission; oversaw purchase of the St. Maurice property and its April 2014 consecration as Saint Rafka Maronite Church, elevating the community from mission to parish. Left June 2012 closing mentioned in community history.
- Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin, Ph.D.July 1, 2020 – present
Assigned as pastor by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan. Grew up in Beirut, Lebanon; ordained July 20, 2003. Ph.D. in moral theology from The Catholic University of America (2020); dissertation on John of Apamea's Dialogues on the Soul. Also teaches ethics at Madonna University and pastoral counseling at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.