About San Francesco · Clinton, Michigan
San Francesco Parish is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Detroit located in Clinton Township, Michigan, established to serve the Italian Catholic community and all who choose to worship there in lieu of their territorial parish. It has no geographic boundaries, and the parish has been entrusted since 1948 to the PIME Missionaries (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), an Italian missionary society. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Italian, maintains traditional Italian devotional societies and feast-day processions, and supports orphans in PIME mission countries through its San Francesco Orphans Club. Today it is pastored by Fr. Dino Vanin, PIME, who was installed on December 16, 2018.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Dino Vanin, PIME
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
San Francesco welcomes anyone who wishes to worship in a personal parish rooted in Italian Catholic tradition, with a 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass in Italian and Italian-language worship aids. The parish offers daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration every Friday with Benediction, First Friday and First Saturday devotions to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart, and a vibrant community of Italian devotional societies (the Assunta Society, San Rocco Society, Sant'Elia Club, Mary Mother of God Prayer Group, and San Francesco Orphans Club) that link heritage to faith. Parishioners also support orphans in PIME mission countries and contribute to local charities through the San Rocco Society.
Mass times at San Francesco
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Fridays 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Anytime Frs. Dino or Marco are available
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: every Friday 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon
- Benediction: Friday 11:50 AM
- First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament
- First Saturday devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament
About San Francesco Parish
San Francesco Parish in Clinton Township, Michigan is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Detroit established to serve the Italian Catholic community and all who choose to worship there in lieu of their territorial parish. It has no geographic boundaries, and 'all are welcome to come together to worship and grow in faith and love.' Since 1948 the parish has been entrusted to the PIME Missionaries (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), an Italian missionary society, and serves as a hub for Italian-American devotional life in the region.
- Personal parish — no geographic boundaries
- Served by the PIME Missionaries since 1948
- Archdiocese of Detroit — Family of Parishes: Northeast Central Macomb 1
- Vicarate: Central Macomb Vicariate; Region: Northeast
History of San Francesco
San Francesco traces its origins to 1896, when Rev. Benjamin Barto established a small chapel on St. Joseph Street in Detroit for Italian immigrants. Father Beccherini arrived in October 1897 and the permanent church on Brewster and Rivard Streets was dedicated by Archbishop Sebastian Martinelli on November 20, 1898. After a 1944 fire and a 1966 sale of the Detroit property for the Chrysler Freeway, the parish was reborn under PIME's care — first in the chapel of the former Dominican convent at 9800 Oakland Avenue (1969), and then in its present Clinton Township home, dedicated September 24, 1978. The parish today houses the original cornerstone from the 1898 church and the cord of St. Francis of Assisi's habit.
- 1896 – first chapel on St. Joseph Street, Detroit (Rev. Benjamin Barto)
- October 31, 1897 – Father Beccherini arrives
- August 7, 1898 – cornerstone laid by Vicar General Msgr. Edward Joos
- November 20, 1898 – church dedicated by Archbishop Sebastian Martinelli, Apostolic Delegate
- April 24, 1944 – church fire under Rev. Emil A. Capano
- 1948 – parish entrusted to PIME Missionaries under Fr. Guido Margutti
- Christmas Day 1966 – last Mass at the old Brewster Street church
- 1969 – San Francesco moves into the chapel of the former Dominican convent (9800 Oakland Ave., Detroit)
- September 24, 1978 – present Clinton Township church dedicated by Bishop Krawczak
- July 1, 2017 – Fr. Dino Vanin appointed Administrator
- December 16, 2018 – Fr. Dino Vanin installed as Pastor by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fisher
Clergy & Staff
San Francesco is served by PIME priests and supported by a long-tenured parish secretary and CCD coordinator. The Archdiocesan directory lists the parish as part of a Family of Parishes with additional priest and deacon support.
- Rev. Dino Vanin, PIME — Pastor
- Rev. Marco Brioschi, PIME — Priest Support
- Deacon Richard Rhein
- Rev. Douglas Bignall — Moderator / Pastor In Solidum
- Rev. Mark Prill, Rev. John Selvamony, Rev. David Tomaszycki — Full-Time Priest Support
- Lisa Marino — Parish Secretary (20+ years)
- Ann Burrell — CCD Coordinator, Parish Council President, Dinner Dance Committee volunteer, San Francesco Orphans Club member (15+ years)
Mass & Liturgy
Daily Mass is offered every morning at 8:00 AM, with additional Saturday Vigil and three Sunday Masses, including a 10:00 AM Mass in Italian with Italian-language worship aids. Holy Day Masses are at 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
- Daily Mass: 8:00 AM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM (Italian), 12:00 PM
- Holy Days: 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM
Sacraments
San Francesco prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation through the rectory office.
- Baptisms – Sunday at 1:00 PM or by appointment
- Reconciliation – Fridays 6:30–7:30 PM, or by request of Fr. Dino or Fr. Marco
- Marriage – contact the rectory at least six months in advance
- Mass intentions – arranged through the rectory
Faith Formation (CCD)
The parish runs a parish-school-style religious education program (CCD) for children in Grades 1 through 8, coordinated by Ann Burrell, who also serves as Parish Council President. Classes meet Tuesday evenings during the school year.
- Grades 1–8
- Tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
- September through May
- Coordinator: Ann Burrell — (586) 242-1981
Italian Clubs & Societies
San Francesco is home to numerous Italian devotional societies, many of them named after the patron saints of the Italian towns or regions from which parishioners emigrated. They deepen ties to the old country, support charity, and pass the heritage to younger generations.
- San Francesco Orphans Club – currently supports 14 orphans in PIME mission countries; phone (586) 354-0389
- San Rocco Society – President Domenic Melia, (586) 530-8139; raises funds for Friends of Foster Kids, Returning Veterans, St. Louis Center (Chelsea, MI)
- Assunta Society – founded 1940; oldest club in the parish; devoted to the Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven; contact Maryanne Ptashnik
- Sant'Elia Club – families tied to Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, Central Italy; President Santino Polidori; holds an end-of-August procession and banquet
- Mary Mother of God Prayer Group – meets every Monday at 1:00 PM
- Altar Society
- St. Joseph Group
- Dinner Dance Committee
Relics and Treasures
San Francesco preserves significant devotional treasures that connect the parish to its patron and to its Italian Catholic heritage.
- Authentic cord of the habit of St. Francis of Assisi — used in blessings during the annual October feast procession
- Relic of St. Anthony of Padua
- Original cornerstone from the 1898 Brewster Street church, kept outside the present building
- Baptismal font from the old Detroit church, still in use
Annual Feast-Day Celebrations
Each year the parish gathers for traditional Italian feast-day Masses, processions with statues and club banners, and fellowship — including the October celebration of St. Francis of Assisi and Christopher Columbus, and an August joint celebration honoring the Assumption and San Rocco.
- St. Francis of Assisi / Christopher Columbus – first Sunday in October; procession with the statue of St. Francis and blessing with his cordon
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary / San Rocco – August 17 (typical); procession with statues, banners and refreshments
Visit, Contact & Bulletin
Parishioners and visitors can reach San Francesco by phone, email, or in person at the rectory during posted hours. The parish also publishes a bilingual 'Bollettino di San Francesco' bulletin.
- Address: 22870 S. Nunneley Road, Clinton Township, MI 48035
- Phone: (586) 792-5346
- Email: [email protected]
- Rectory hours: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Website: sanfrancescochurch.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/sanfrancescochurch/
- Bulletin (PDF): sanfrancescochurch.org/bulletin/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Benjamin Barto1896 – 1897
Established the first small chapel for Italians on St. Joseph Street between Russell and Riopelle in Detroit.
- Rev. (Father) BeccheriniOctober 31, 1897 – July 5, 1949
Founded the permanent San Francesco Church on Brewster and Rivard Streets; cornerstone laid August 7, 1898, dedicated November 20, 1898. Served 46 years; honored by the Queen of Italy, Pope Pius X, and the Italian government.
- Rev. Emil A. Capanoafter 1949
Revived parish spirit; led rebuilding after the April 24, 1944 church fire; reduced parish debt before transfer to Our Lady Queen of Peace.
- Rev. Anthony BolognaJanuary 1944 – late 1945
Assistant to Father Capano.
- Rev. Guido Margutti, PIME1948 –
First PIME pastor, invited to Detroit by Cardinal Mooney; enlarged the rectory to house PIME priests.
- Rev. Dominic Rossi, PIME1966 –
Long-tenured pastor who shepherded the parish through the 1966 sale of the Brewster Street church and the move into the former Dominican convent chapel, and the 1978 dedication of the present church.
- Fr. Giulio (PIME)before 2017 – after 2018
Senior pastor whose advancing age and health led to Fr. Dino Vanin's appointment as Administrator in 2017; remained Senior Priest in Residence.
- Rev. Dino Vanin, PIMEAdministrator July 1, 2017; Pastor installed December 16, 2018 – present
Installed as Pastor by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fisher.