About St. Edith · Livonia, Michigan
St. Edith Catholic Church is a welcoming parish of the Archdiocese of Detroit located at 15089 Newburgh Road in Livonia, Michigan. Founded in 1962 under the leadership of its first pastor, Fr. William Yakes, the parish has grown into an active community that operates its own parish elementary school (Preschool through Grade 8) and a Religious Formation Program for children who attend public schools. Today the parish is pastored by Fr. James (Jim) McNulty and is part of the South Northwest Wayne 2 Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Edith
- Rector
- Fr. James (Jim) McNulty
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Edith is a parish that prides itself on a genuine 'All Are Welcome' culture, from the pastor's invitation to 'come as you are' to its ministries that reach the homebound, grieving, and those in need. The parish offers a complete Sacramental life — weekday and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and the full sacramental preparation for children and adults — alongside an on-site parish school (Preschool through Grade 8) and a robust Religious Formation program. With active groups like the Gospel of Life, Knights of Columbus, bereavement ministry, A New Dawn for widows and widowers, and Christian Service reaching out with meals, transportation, and home repairs, St. Edith is a small but deeply active community where parishioners of every age and background can find a way to grow in faith and serve.
Mass times at St. Edith
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Tuesdays following the 9:00 AM Mass, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM in the Chapel (Benediction currently cancelled until further notice)
- 15 minutes each weekend after one of the Masses (rotating 2026 schedule: April after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass; May after the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass; June after the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass; etc.)
History of St. Edith Parish
St. Edith Parish was founded in 1962 under the leadership of its first pastor, Fr. William Yakes. The very first Mass was celebrated in the cafeteria of Ladywood High School on June 25, 1962. Just six months later, on Christmas Eve, Cardinal John Dearden consecrated the parish's first worship space. A second church was completed in 1979, and the current church building was dedicated in 1989. The parish celebrated its 50th jubilee in 2012 with a year-long series of golden anniversary events, including a picnic on the parish grounds, an anniversary dinner to which past pastors, associates, and deacons were invited, anniversary mugs and ornaments, and oral history interviews with founding members.
- Founded 1962 by Fr. William Yakes
- First Mass: June 25, 1962, in Ladywood High School cafeteria
- First church consecrated Christmas Eve 1962 by Cardinal John Dearden
- Second church completed 1979
- Current church completed 1989
- 50th jubilee celebrated 2012
Parish Mission & Welcome
St. Edith's mission statement reads: 'Nourished by the celebration of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, St. Edith Parish is called to build a welcoming community of faith and service, continuing the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.' The parish emphasizes that 'All Are Welcome' — regardless of personal history, age, race, ethnic background, appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, present status in the Catholic Church, family or marital situation, or whether one considers themselves a 'staunch Catholic' or skeptical of organized religion. Fr. Jim McNulty invites anyone to call and make an appointment to meet with him about anything.
- Mission Statement: Nourished by the Sacraments, called to build a welcoming community of faith and service.
- Pastor: Fr. Jim McNulty, [email protected]
- Office Manager: Deb Strautz, [email protected]
- Parish Office: (734) 464-1222 · [email protected]
- Parish Registration form available on the website
Sacraments
St. Edith prepares parishioners of all ages for the sacraments. Children typically receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in second grade and Confirmation in eighth grade (the latter being the second year of a two-year preparation program begun in seventh grade). Children beyond those grades who still need sacraments are welcomed, with a new Out of Step Sacrament (OOS) Prep class offered for students in grades 3 and up. Adults who have not yet received their sacraments — for whatever reason — are encouraged to reach out; the parish will help design a path forward. The Becoming Catholic – Open Arms journey invites non-Catholics who are thinking about the faith to explore Catholic beliefs and practices.
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — 2nd grade
- Confirmation — 8th grade (two-year prep starting in 7th grade)
- Out of Step Sacrament Prep for older children needing Reconciliation/Eucharist
- Becoming Catholic – Open Arms for adult inquirers
- Marriage preparation and Baptism preparation available
- Contact: Linda Kramer, Director of Religious Formation · (734) 464-2020 · [email protected]
Religious Formation (Religious Education)
The Religious Formation Program partners with parents to help children in grades K–8 — including those with special needs — grow in awareness of God's presence and a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. Classes take place during the school year, and catechists and classroom aides are always needed. Religious Education Registration for 2025–2026 closed September 1, 2025.
- Grades K–8, including children with special needs
- Director: Linda Kramer · [email protected] · (734) 469-2965
- Connie Fletcher · [email protected] · (734) 469-2987
- Religious Education Office: (734) 464-2020 · [email protected]
- Catechist and classroom aide volunteers welcome
St. Edith Catholic School
St. Edith Catholic School is a parish school offering a Catholic education from 3-year-old Preschool through Grade 8. As a member of the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school shares the vision of Catholic education of the Catholic Church of Detroit and recognizes its responsibility to educate students in the beliefs, practices, and traditions of the Catholic faith. With currently about 226 students enrolled and a maximum class size of 30, the school maintains one classroom per grade. School begins at 7:55 AM and dismisses at 3:00 PM. Families in the Livonia Public School District are eligible for Livonia bus transportation. The school follows Livonia Public Schools' guidelines for weather-related closings.
- Programs: 3-year-old Preschool, 4-year-old Preschool, Full-Day Kindergarten, Grades 1–8
- Enrollment: approximately 226 students; maximum class size 30
- School hours: 7:55 AM – 3:00 PM
- Livonia Public School bus transportation available to district families
- School Office: (734) 464-1250
- Secretary: Mrs. Jackie Slaviero · [email protected]
- Tuition assistance, payment plans, and deferred payment available — contact Jackie Slaviero or Ruth Scaramucci
Parish Ministries & Parish Life
St. Edith's ministries aim first at creating encounters with Jesus and then at equipping parishioners to share their faith within the wider community. Drawing on Pope Francis's Evangelii Gaudium — 'The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God's word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration' — the parish offers a broad range of formation, service, and devotional opportunities for all ages.
- Liturgical: Music, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Liturgical Environment
- Service: Funeral luncheons, Bereavement, Home Bound Ministers, Christian Service outreach (meals, transportation, home repairs)
- Community: Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), A New Dawn (widows and widowers), Knights of Columbus
- Devotional: Gospel of Life (Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Wednesdays 6:00 PM in the Chapel)
- Formation: Religious Education, Sacramental Preparation, Becoming Catholic, Vacation Bible School
Devotions: Gospel of Life
The Gospel of Life Group gathers anyone who would like to pray the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other prayers for life every Wednesday at 6:00 PM in the Chapel. The group welcomes all who wish to join in prayer for the protection of life.
- Wednesdays at 6:00 PM in the Chapel
- Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and prayers for life
Home Bound Ministry
For parishioners who are homebound, hospitalized, in assisted care, or simply ill and desire the Eucharist, St. Edith's Home Bound Ministers will visit, pray, and bring Holy Communion. Arrangements are coordinated through Deacon Don Esler.
- Contact: Deacon Don Esler · [email protected]
Leadership & Staff
The parish staff is happy to assist parishioners and visitors — whether a founding member since 1962 or someone who has just joined at worship or another parish function. The parish leadership team can be contacted with questions, comments, or a desire to serve in parish life.
- Pastor: Fr. Jim McNulty · [email protected]
- Office Manager: Deb Strautz · [email protected]
- Deacon Don Esler (Home Bound Ministry)
- Deacon Dennis DeVooght, Deacon David Carignan, Deacon Donald Esler
- Director of Religious Formation: Linda Kramer · [email protected] · (734) 464-2020
- Parish Office: (734) 464-1222 · [email protected]
Contact & Visit
St. Edith Catholic Church is located at 15089 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI 48154. The Parish Office can be reached at (734) 464-1222 or [email protected]. The Saturday 5:00 PM Mass is live-streamed on the parish's Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.
- Address: 15089 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
- Phone: (734) 464-1222
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Religious Education Office: (734) 464-2020 · [email protected]
- School Office: (734) 464-1250
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William Yakes1962–1967
Founding pastor of St. Edith Parish in 1962.
- Fr. John Van Antwerp1967–1980
Guided the parish through Vatican II reforms; established the first parish council and commissions for administration, Christian service, education, and worship.
- Fr. Jim Scheick1980–c.2000
Succeeded Fr. Van Antwerp.
- Fr. Timothy Murray2000–c.2004
Succeeded Fr. Scheick.
- Fr. Paul Ballien2004–2005
Served as parish administrator.
- Fr. Mike Kazer2005–2010
Pastor until his sudden death in 2010.
- Fr. Lawrence Kaiser2010
Named administrator after Fr. Kazer's death, until Fr. McNulty arrived.
- Fr. James McNulty2010–present
Current pastor; led the parish's 50th jubilee celebrations.