About St. Francis of Assisi Parish - St. Anthony of Padua · Saginaw, Michigan
St. Francis of Assisi Parish of Saginaw is a consolidated Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saginaw, in Vicariate 3, serving the south side of Saginaw, Michigan. The parish is composed of two church sites: St. Anthony of Padua Church (the parish church, at 3680 S. Washington Rd.) and St. Casimir Church (an occasional-use church at 2122 S. Jefferson Ave.). According to GCatholic, the parish is served by Capuchin Franciscans, and the parish team is led by Rev. Alberto E. Vargas as pastor, with a finance director, faith formation coordinator, and music minister supporting parish life.
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi (parish title); St. Anthony of Padua (parish church); St. Casimir (secondary church)
- Rector
- Rev. Alberto E. Vargas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a welcoming Franciscan-rooted Catholic community in south Saginaw that brings together two historic church buildings — St. Anthony of Padua and St. Casimir — under one pastoral family. With weekday and Sunday Masses, regular confessions before Sunday Mass, an active Faith Formation program for children and adults, a music ministry, and outreach in the Saginaw area, the parish offers a small, family-sized setting where parishioners can know their priests, staff, and each other by name. Visitors can join Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua and join in faith formation, music, or parish activities through the parish office.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi Parish - St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 10:15 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. (St. Anthony of Padua Church)
Parish Identity & History
St. Francis of Assisi Parish of Saginaw is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saginaw, located on Saginaw's south side. The parish came together through a diocesan-wide reorganization under Bishop Joseph Cistone, in which the historic congregations of St. Anthony of Padua, SS. Casimir, and St. George were merged into a single parish. Under that plan, St. Anthony of Padua was designated the parish church, SS. Casimir continued as a weekend Mass site, and St. George was reserved for occasional use such as weddings and funerals. The parish is served by Capuchin Franciscans, a religious order that fits naturally with the Franciscan identity in the parish's title — St. Francis of Assisi.
- Parish formed via 2013–2014 diocesan reorganization under Bishop Joseph Cistone
- St. Anthony of Padua designated the parish church
- St. Casimir Church preserved as occasional-use church with Polish-heritage legacy
- Served by Capuchin Franciscans (OFM Cap.)
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a small pastoral team. The pastor is supported by staff handling parish finances, administration and faith formation, and music ministry. Contact is centralized through the parish office at 989-752-1971 and [email protected].
- Rev. Alberto E. Vargas — Pastor ([email protected])
- Debra McGrandy — Finance Director ([email protected])
- Kathy Mahaffy — Administrative Assistant & Coordinator of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Felicia McRae — Music Ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is coordinated through the parish office by Kathy Mahaffy, who serves as both Administrative Assistant and Coordinator of Faith Formation. The parish offers programs for children and adults, supporting the lifelong journey of faith, encounter with Jesus Christ, and accompaniment of others — including preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Coordinator of Faith Formation on staff
- Religious education for children and adults
- OCIA / RCIA referenced on parish/diocesan profile for adults becoming Catholic
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at the parish is led by Felicia McRae, who serves in the Music Ministry. Music supports the regular Sunday and weekday Mass schedule at St. Anthony of Padua Church.
- Felicia McRae — Music Ministry
- Music supports Sunday 11:00 a.m. and weekday Masses
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office serves as the hub for parish life, including sacramental records, faith formation registration, and general inquiries. Office hours are listed on the diocesan parish page.
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
- Phone: 989-752-1971
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 989-752-1441
- Website: https://stfrancissaginaw.org/
Church Locations
The parish encompasses two worship sites in south Saginaw. St. Anthony of Padua Church serves as the parish church, where Sunday and weekday Masses are celebrated and confessions are heard. St. Casimir Church is preserved as an occasional-use church with Polish-American heritage, available for select liturgies.
- St. Anthony of Padua Church — 3680 S. Washington Rd., Saginaw, MI 48601-4966 (Parish Church)
- St. Casimir Church — 2122 S. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601 (Occasional Use Church)
Diocese & Vicariate
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is part of the Diocese of Saginaw, in Vicariate 3 — the same vicariate that groups many of the south Saginaw parishes together, including St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joseph, Holy Family, and the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption.
- Diocese of Saginaw
- Vicariate 3
- Companion parishes in the vicariate include St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, Holy Family, Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Christ the Good Shepherd, and others