About St. Francis and Clare Parish - Sacred Heart · Birch Run, Michigan
Ss. Francis and Clare Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Birch Run, Michigan, in the Diocese of Saginaw. It was formed on July 1, 2013, by the merger of two historic parishes: Sacred Heart of Birch Run (founded 1869) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Bridgeport/Fosters (founded 1889). The parish worships at the Sacred Heart Church building at 12157 Church Street, Birch Run, and continues to maintain the historic Assumption Cemetery in Bridgeport. Today the parish is served by Parochial Administrator Rev. David J. Jenuwine and a small staff of lay ministers who run faith formation, youth ministry, and music programs.
- Established
- 1869
- Rector
- Rev. David J. Jenuwine (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
Ss. Francis and Clare is a warm, family-sized parish that welcomes everyone — the contact page even notes that the parish is just 1.5 miles from the Prime Outlets in Birch Run, making it easy to stop in while in the area. It offers weekend and weekday Mass, regular Confession, a robust Children's Liturgy of the Word, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium program for young children, sacramental preparation, and a separate youth/young-adult ministry for grades 7–12. With a clear staff, modest parish office hours, and the continued care of the historic Assumption Cemetery in Bridgeport, it is a parish where a newcomer can quickly get to know the pastor, the faith formation team, and the music minister.
Mass times at St. Francis and Clare Parish - Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
- Sunday 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
- By appointment
Parish History
Ss. Francis and Clare Parish is the merged descendant of two historic Saginaw County parishes. Sacred Heart of Birch Run traces its origin to 1869 with a small frame 'Country Line Church' at Linden and Willard Roads; a new church was built in the village of Birch Run in 1915. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary began in 1889 on Bell Road in Fosters, Michigan, as a predominantly Polish parish long served by Franciscan priests from Wisconsin. Because of a diocesan shortage of priests, Sacred Heart and Assumption merged on July 1, 2013, taking the name Ss. Francis and Clare Parish and using Sacred Heart in Birch Run as the parish church. The parish history page also remembers Fr. Tom McNamara.
- Sacred Heart founded 1869 — 'Country Line Church' at Linden & Willard Roads
- New Sacred Heart church built in Birch Run in 1915
- Sacred Heart ran a parish school with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth; closed June 1967
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary founded 1889 on Bell Rd., Fosters
- Assumption served for many years by Franciscan priests from Wisconsin
- Sacred Heart and Assumption merged July 1, 2013, becoming Ss. Francis and Clare Parish
- Parish history page remembers Fr. Tom McNamara
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. David J. Jenuwine, supported by a small team of lay ministers who keep the parish office, faith formation programs, youth ministry, and music ministry running. Office hours are Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Rev. David J. Jenuwine — Parochial Administrator ([email protected])
- Debbie McGrandy — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Anne Ploetz — Secretary and Cemetery Contact ([email protected])
- Debbie Hamilton — Director of Faith Formation, families with children 0–6th grade ([email protected])
- Jessica Woodall — Director of Faith Formation for 6th–12th grade & Young Adults ([email protected])
- Chuck Bomba — Music Ministry ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Ss. Francis and Clare is divided into a PreK–5th grade track and a youth/young-adult track for 6th–12th grade. The younger program is built around the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based 'atrium' approach that lets young children engage the essentials of Catholic faith through scripture and liturgy. Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) is also offered at Sunday Mass from October through May.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Montessori-based atrium program for young children
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) at Sunday Mass, October–May
- Sacramental Preparation for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist (after at least one year of faith formation; typically 2nd grade)
- Confirmation prep — Diocese of Saginaw two-year program beginning no earlier than age 12
- Registration handled by Debbie Hamilton (PreK–5th grade)
- Registration handled by Jessica Woodall (6th–12th grade & young adults)
Youth Ministry & Young Adults
The youth ministry exists to engage 7th–12th grade teens and their families in a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ while building community within the Church. Its stated approach is Christ-centered, relationship-driven, and skill-building — designed to help young people discover their unique calling and live out their faith authentically.
- Vision: deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ for 7th–12th grade youth and families
- Approach: Christ-centered, relationship-driven, skill-building
- Reaches 6th–12th graders and young adults (led by Jessica Woodall)
- Connected to Confirmation preparation
Music Ministry
Music Ministry at Ss. Francis and Clare is led by Chuck Bomba. The parish website and contact page list him as the music minister alongside the rest of the parish staff.
- Music Minister: Chuck Bomba ([email protected])
Sacraments
Parish sacramental life centers on the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, baptism, marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Sacramental preparation for children is coordinated through the faith formation office, and the parish maintains a dedicated line (989-624-9351) for funeral arrangements and Anointing.
- 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation (Diocese of Saginaw two-year program)
- Baptism — contact parish office
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / Funerals — 989-624-9351
- Confession — scheduled times plus by appointment
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery
The parish continues to maintain the historic Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery, inherited from the original Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish of Bridgeport/Fosters. Cemetery inquiries are handled through the parish office by secretary Anne Ploetz.
- Location: 6700 Dorwood Rd., Bridgeport, MI
- Originated with Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (founded 1889, Fosters, MI)
- Cemetery contact: Anne Ploetz, Parish Secretary
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
The parish invites visitors and new parishioners to register and join. The contact page notes that the parish is 1.5 miles from the Prime Outlets in Birch Run, MI, making it convenient for travelers as well as locals. Parish registration forms are available on the website, and a dedicated staff member is listed for those 'Looking to Join.'
- Parish Center / Sacred Heart Church — 12157 Church St., Birch Run, MI 48415
- Parish Office — (989) 624-9098
- Funeral / Anointing line — (989) 624-9351
- Office hours — Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Email — [email protected]
- Parish is 1.5 miles from Prime Outlets, Birch Run, MI
- New parishioner registration forms available on the website
Diocese of Saginaw
Ss. Francis and Clare Parish is part of the Diocese of Saginaw and sits in Vicariate 2. The parish appears in the diocesan directory and in the diocese's own parish page, where the parish leadership, Mass schedule, and contact details are also listed for verification.
- Diocese: Diocese of Saginaw
- Vicariate 2
- Listed in the diocesan parish directory (saginaw.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Tom McNamara
Remembered on the parish history page as a priest associated with Ss. Francis and Clare Parish