About St. Elizabeth of Hungary · Reese, Michigan
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Reese, Michigan is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Saginaw whose roots stretch back to 1872, when a mission church was established in what was then described as a 'forlorn section of the Diocese.' Worship, school, and parish life continue today at 12835 E Washington Road (M-81) in Reese, and the parish shares its priest with nearby St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Vassar. The parish mission statement — 'As disciples of Jesus Christ, we will have full and active participation by knowing, living, sharing and celebrating our Catholic faith' — is lived out through a parish school, faith formation and RCIA, music ministry, parish councils, and the Mission Resale Shop.
- Established
- 1872
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- Rector
- Rev. Josepaul Pasala (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth of Hungary offers the full rhythms of Catholic parish life in a small-town setting: a Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass in English, Wednesday and Tuesday morning weekday Masses (with Adoration), and Saturday confessions. The parish operates St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School (founded 1947), runs Faith Formation and RCIA, supports Music Ministry, and engages in parish stewardship and outreach through the Mission Resale Shop. With a Parish Council, Finance Council, and a long history as a stewardship-tithing community, St. Elizabeth is a place where members know, live, share, and celebrate the Catholic faith together.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday following 8:30 AM Mass (approximately 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM)
- Tuesday following 8:30 AM Mass, until 10:45 AM
Parish History
St. Elizabeth of Hungary traces its origin to 1872, when it was established as a mission church on the grounds of the present-day St. Elizabeth Cemetery on Block Road in Saginaw County. About twelve years later the little church was put on logs and rolled across the county line into Reese, where it grew into a full parish under its first resident priest, Father Thomas Hennessy. From 1896 to 1925 the parish also ministered to Caro Sacred Heart and, later, St. Frances in Vassar, and after 1993 the parish resumed sharing clergy with neighboring communities — today with St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Vassar.
- 1872 — mission church established on Block Rd
- 1884 (approx.) — church moved on logs into Reese; first resident priest, Fr. Thomas Hennessy
- 1896–1925 — served missions at Caro Sacred Heart and St. Frances, Vassar
- 1947 — parish grade school opens under Fr. Neil O'Connor
- 1956 — new school built on Center St. (Trombley bequest)
- Early 1970s — current church and rectory built on M-81
- 1988 — parish center constructed
- 1997–1998 — present educational facility built and opened (Ada Mayberry bequest)
Stewardship & Parish Mission
St. Elizabeth has a deep stewardship tradition reaching back to 1912, when farmers contributed loads of sugar beets and a horse was raffled off to support the church. In 1968, Father Joe Castanier led the parish to 'Walk by Faith,' and St. Elizabeth has been a tithing parish ever since, sharing a weekly percentage of its income with the larger Church and world. The parish mission statement calls the community to 'Know, Live, Share, and Celebrate' the Catholic faith.
- Parish Mission: 'St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Community is called to Know, Live, Share, and Celebrate our Catholic Faith.'
- Vision: 'As disciples of Jesus Christ, we will have full and active participation by knowing, living, sharing and celebrating our Catholic faith.'
- Stewardship tithing parish since 1968
Parish Staff & Leadership
Parish leadership at St. Elizabeth combines clergy, deacons, parish staff, and lay council chairs. The parish is currently administered by a Parochial Administrator and shares its priest with St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Vassar.
- Rev. Josepaul Pasala — Parochial Administrator ([email protected])
- Deacon Steven George ([email protected])
- Elizabeth Grzemkowski — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Terese Petro — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Rachel King — Faith Formation and RCIA ([email protected])
- Paul Volk — Music Ministry
- Neil French — Finance Council Chair
- Karen Bouvy — Pastoral Council Chair
Faith Formation & RCIA
Faith Formation for children and youth, along with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, is coordinated by Rachel King. Families preparing for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation typically work through the parish's religious education program each year.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Rachel King ([email protected])
- RCIA for adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School
St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School has been part of the parish mission since 1947. The school shares the parish campus at 12835 E Washington Road and offers a Catholic liberal education from Young 5s through eighth grade, partnering with parents in faith formation and academic excellence. In addition to the Reese location, the school's outreach extends into the wider community, and the Diocese of Saginaw has committed significant financial and direct support to ensure the school remains open.
- Founded in 1947 under Father Neil O'Connor
- Grades served: Young 5s through 8th grade
- Motto: 'Soar Like An Eagle'
- Athletics: Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Volleyball
- Affiliated organizations: Boy Scouts of America, National Elementary Honors Society, National Junior Honors Society, St. Elizabeth Flowers Club
- Member of NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association)
Music Ministry & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Elizabeth is led by Music Minister Paul Volk, supporting the parish's weekend and weekday Masses, holy days, and school liturgies. The Music Ministry works with cantors and instrumentalists to enhance the celebration of the Mass and the liturgical seasons.
- Music Ministry: Paul Volk
- Supports weekend Masses, Wednesday School Mass, holy days, and sacramental liturgies
Parish Councils & Stewardship
Parishioner leadership is exercised through the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council, which advise the pastor and staff on the spiritual and temporal life of the parish. Combined with the parish's long-standing tithing stewardship tradition, these councils help direct the parish's outreach and material support of the broader Diocese of Saginaw and Catholic missions.
- Pastoral Council Chair: Karen Bouvy
- Finance Council Chair: Neil French
- Weekly tithing shared with the larger Church and world since 1968
Outreach & Mission Resale Shop
Beyond worship and formation, St. Elizabeth supports outreach through its Mission Resale Shop. The shop is staffed by volunteers and provides a way for parishioners and the wider Reese community to recycle goods and contribute to the parish's charitable and missionary efforts.
- Mission Resale Shop open Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Call the parish office for information and to volunteer
Visit & Contact
St. Elizabeth of Hungary welcomes visitors and newcomers to join the parish community for Mass and parish life. The parish office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and staff are happy to help with sacramental scheduling, registrations for Faith Formation or the school, and general inquiries.
- Address: 12835 E Washington Rd (M-81), P.O. Box 392, Reese, MI 48757
- Phone: (989) 868-4081
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stelizabethreese.org/
- Parish Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas Hennessy
First resident priest of the parish after it moved from its mission site on Block Rd to Reese.
- Father Neil O'Connor
Opened the parish grade school in 1947.
- Father Joe Castanier1968
Led the parish to 'Walk by Faith'; established the parish as a stewardship-tithing parish.
- Father Christian Tabares
Past pastor under whose leadership St. Elizabeth Catholic School was confirmed to remain open after a parish- and diocesan-level review (Diocese of Saginaw grant offered).