St. Charles Borromeo

Parish History

St. Charles Borromeo's story begins in 1816, when French-Canadian families settled the Swan Creek Basin of what is now Monroe County. Mission priests from Ste. Anne's in Detroit celebrated Mass in private homes and, from 1838, in a log house on Peter Allore's farm. In 1847 Fr. Charles De Prietre built the community's first dedicated church on land donated by Jeremias Beaubien; in 1853 Bishop Lefevre established the parish and assigned Fr. John Van Gennip as its first resident pastor, while John B. Trombley donated land for a new 30-by-25-foot church with a 20-foot steeple. The present church was built under Fr. H. Kemper beginning with the cornerstone in 1882 (on land from Jacob and Frank Masserant) and completed in 1886.

• 1816 – French-Canadian families settle Swan Creek Basin
• 1838 – Log house chapel on Peter Allore's farm
• 1847 – First church built under Fr. Charles De Prietre
• 1853 – Parish established; Fr. John Van Gennip first resident pastor
• 1860 – First organ donated by Moses Loranger
• 1882 – Cornerstone of present church laid by Bishop Borgess (April 15)
• 1886 – Present church completed
• 1887 – Rectory completed

Recent Milestones (2013–2024)

The parish has continued to grow and renew in the 21st century. In 2013, St. Charles was clustered with St. Anne in Monroe to address the Archdiocese's priest shortage. Major facilities work followed, including a new school addition (dedicated 2017 and renamed St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Academy) and the demolition of the old school building in December 2019 and the Parish Center in December 2023. Liturgical milestones include a new Tabernacle (August 16, 2020), the dedication of the Rosary Garden by Bishop Gerard Battersby (October 13, 2023), and the summer-2024 refurbishment of the altar and altar angels.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Rev. Hendrico Rebello, S.A.C. (Pastor), with fellow Pallottine priests Rev. Kishore Battu, S.A.C. and Rev. David Burgard, and Rev. Michael Anagbogu, serving in the Family of Parishes (South Monroe 2) arrangement within the Monroe Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Janice Doederlein serves as Director of Religious Education; Katie Tibai is Administrative Assistant; and Bill Beaudrie handles maintenance.

• Rev. Hendrico Rebello, S.A.C. — Pastor ([email protected])
• Rev. Kishore Battu, S.A.C.
• Rev. Michael Anagbogu
• Rev. David Burgard
• Janice Doederlein — Director of Religious Education
• Katie Tibai — Administrative Assistant
• Bill Beaudrie — Maintenance

Faith Formation & Religious Education

St. Charles runs a K–8 Religious Education program on Monday evenings, 5:45–7:00 pm, from mid-September through mid-May. Lessons are reinforced by attendance at Sunday Mass, and students are tested orally and in writing throughout the year. The parish handbook emphasizes that 'religious formation of the child takes place in the home, in church and in the class setting,' and parents are expected to model the faith, attend Mass with their children, and support preparation for sacraments. Fees for 2025–26 are $85 for one student up to $300 for four, with reductions available through the parish SCRIP program.

• K–8 Religious Education (Monday 5:45–7:00 pm, Sept.–May)
• Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation (2nd grade), First Eucharist (2nd grade), and Confirmation (8th grade)
• SCRIP tuition assistance
• Permanent record registration and medical forms required each year

Adult Formation & Becoming Catholic

Adults are invited to grow in faith through ongoing formation opportunities and to inquire about becoming Catholic through the parish's RCIA process. Adult candidates who have missed sacraments or wish to enter the Church typically celebrate Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

Sacraments

Information for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is published on the parish website. Parents attend a baptismal preparation class on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:15 pm, and Baptisms are celebrated the second and fourth Sundays after the 12:00 pm Mass. Children typically make First Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade, while teens prepare for Confirmation in eighth grade — writing a letter to the Pastor, attending a retreat, and choosing a sponsor who is an active, practicing Catholic.

Christian Service & Outreach

Christian Service at St. Charles fulfills the Church's mission of love, justice, freedom, and peace through an organized response to local human needs. The umbrella coordinates a Homebound Ministry (First Friday visits), the "Comforted Through Prayers" Prayer Blanket Ministry (active since April 9, 2011, with over 300 blankets given out), the Funeral Luncheon Ministry, the Blessings Ministry providing holiday meals and gifts at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Jail Ministry on Wednesday evenings with the Monroe County Catholic jail ministry, Habitat for Humanity lunch support, Homeless Ministry in partnership with the Oaks of Righteousness warming center, and the Consoling Heart Ministry (referral to Rachel's Vineyard and Project Rachel for post-abortion healing).

• Homebound Ministry
• Prayer Blanket Ministry ("Comforted Through Prayers")
• Funeral Luncheon Ministry
• Blessings Ministry — Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas
• Jail Ministry (Wednesday evenings)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Homeless Ministry / Oaks of Righteousness
• Consoling Heart Ministry (Rachel's Vineyard / Project Rachel)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Academy

Located at 8125 Swan Creek Road, Newport, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Academy is a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school sharing the parish's 734-586-2531 number. Doors open at 7:45 am for arrival and instruction begins at 8:00 am, dismissing at 3:15 pm. The school's mission is to 'provide a Catholic Faith Community, that provides a foundation for a lifelong spiritual journey with academic excellence for every child, so that they may become joyful missionary disciples.' Principal Beth Lechy and Administrative Assistant Kathy Poreda staff the school office, which is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 am – 3:45 pm. The academy was rededicated under its current name in 2017 following a major building campaign.

• Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and K–8 programs
• Office: 8125 Swan Creek Road, Newport, MI 48166
• Principal: Beth Lechy ([email protected])
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 am – 3:45 pm

Cemeteries

St. Charles Borromeo Parish operates two adjoining cemeteries — St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery North and St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery South — listed as associated organizations on the parish's directory entry with the Archdiocese of Detroit. The original cemetery land traces back to an 1853 donation by Louis Laduke at the northwest corner of Dixie Highway and Armstrong Road.

Contact & Visit

Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed Noon–1:00 pm for lunch). The mailing address is 8033 N. Dixie Highway, Newport, MI 48166, and the parish phone is (734) 586-2531. After-hours emergency line is Ext. 5. The parish office email is [email protected].

• Phone: (734) 586-2531
• Email: [email protected]
• Office: 8033 N. Dixie Highway, Newport, MI 48166
• School: 8125 Swan Creek Road, Newport, MI 48166