About St. Gerald · Farmington, Michigan
St. Gerald Catholic Church is a Servant Church of the Archdiocese of Detroit located at 21300 Farmington Road in Farmington, Michigan. The parish was established in 1964 by Archbishop John Dearden and currently serves worshippers from Farmington, Farmington Hills, and Livonia. Its mission statement describes itself as a welcoming, inclusive parish striving to be a reflection of Christ, dedicated to "Disciples living the Eucharistic Gospel." Following a 2015 merger with the former St. Alexander Parish of Farmington Hills, today's combined parish continues a long tradition of reverent liturgy, parish-school faith formation for grades 1-8, OCIA, youth ministry, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a strong devotion to the Eucharist through First Friday Adoration and a Thursday Holy Hour for Vocations.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. Gerald (of Mayo)
- Rector
- Rev. Krzysztof (Kris) Nowak
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Gerald is a generous, family-friendly parish with a packed liturgical and devotional life: three Sunday Masses, a daily Mass schedule, Saturday Vigil, Saturday confessions, perpetual First Friday Adoration (September–May) and a Thursday Holy Hour for Vocations. Active faith formation for children in grades 1–8 meets Monday evenings, with sacramental prep for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, an OCIA process for adults, Vacation Bible School, and a youth ministry for middle and high school teens. Outreach runs through a St. Vincent de Paul conference and the parish's Christian Service office. Newcomers are warmly welcomed at the door and invited into the music and liturgical ministries—choir, cantors, lectors, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, ushers, and sacristans—so almost anyone who walks in can find a way to belong.
Mass times at St. Gerald
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Fridays (September–May): begins after the 9:15 am Mass and concludes at 5:00 pm with Benediction
- Thursday Holy Hour for Vocations 7:55 pm
Parish History
St. Gerald Parish was established June 26, 1964 by Archbishop John Dearden, with Fr. James P. O'Hagan as founding pastor. The first church was dedicated December 19, 1964, and the rapidly growing parish built the much larger current church—dedicated by Cardinal Maida in May 1991 and paid off by 2001. Key milestones under successive pastors include the 1978 sanctuary remodel and 1979 bell tower (dedicated by Bishop Gumbleton), Fr. Gerald McEnhill's leadership of new-church construction, Fr. Ronald Browne's introduction of First Thursday/Friay/Saturday devotions and the Knights of Columbus – St. Gerald Council, and Fr. Festus Ejimadu's stewardship of the 2014–2015 merger with St. Alexander Parish (Farmington Hills).
- 1964: Parish established; ground broken July 26; church dedicated Dec 19
- 1965: Pipe organ installed
- 1966: First ecumenical service with First Methodist Church
- 1971: Marthas (Christian Service) organized; parishioner Paul McLoughlin Jr. ordained
- 1974: Christmas Eve Mass for children begins
- 1975: First Communal Anointing of the Sick
- 1978: Sanctuary remodeled and stained glass added
- 1979: Bell tower added; dedicated by Bishop Gumbleton Dec 1
- 1981: Annual Christmas gift giving begins
- 1983: Men's Club founded
- 1986: Fr. Gerald McEnhill installed; ecumenical relationship with St. John Lutheran begins
- 1987: Planning begins for new church
- 1991: New church dedicated May 31 by Archbishop Maida
- 1993: Hosts Archdiocesan Covenant Renewal Service with Lutherans
- 1994: 30th anniversary celebration
- 1999: New stained-glass windows completed
- 2001: New-church mortgage paid off
- 2004: Fr. Ronald Browne installed
- 2009: Fr. Festus Ejimadu installed
- 2014–2015: Merger with St. Alexander (Farmington Hills)
- 2016: Fr. Krzysztof Nowak appointed Administrator
About Us & Mission
St. Gerald describes itself as a welcoming, inclusive parish striving to be a reflection of Christ. The parish mission is 'Disciples living the Eucharistic Gospel,' and the community is guided by the Holy Spirit in reverent worship, service to those in need, and living the fullness of the Gospel. The site carries a deliberate open-door welcome to people of every status, family situation, age, background, race, or self-image.
- Welcome message on the homepage extends unconditional invitation to all visitors
- Website redesigned 2025, dedicated in memory of Michael Hoots
- Patronage of St. Carlo Acutis, patron saint of the internet, invoked for the parish's online mission
Families of Parishes
Following Synod 16 of the Archdiocese of Detroit, St. Gerald was assigned to the Livonia Area Family of Parishes along with St. Aidan, St. Priscilla, and St. Michael the Archangel parishes in Livonia. The parish sees itself as the link between Wayne and Oakland Counties in this family and joins its partners for combined events such as Confirmation (2026 Confirmation Mass to be held at St. Priscilla on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 am).
- Family of Parishes: Livonia Area
- Partner parishes: St. Aidan (Livonia), St. Priscilla (Livonia), St. Michael the Archangel (Livonia)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs faith formation for children in grades 1–8 on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 6:45 pm, September through April, including sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. A two-year enrollment prior to reception of a sacrament is required (Archdiocese policy), and children's high-school Confirmation is celebrated with the Family of Parishes in May of the 8th-grade year.
- Grades 1–8 Faith Formation (Monday evenings, Sept–April)
- Sacramental prep – Reconciliation/First Communion (Grades 1–2)
- Confirmation Prep (Grades 7–8; classes every other Monday)
- Coordinator of Faith Formation: Emily Long, 248-476-7677 ext 201
- First Communion Mass typically celebrated in April during Eastertide
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
St. Gerald offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) for anyone considering becoming Catholic—whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or a baptized Catholic who has not yet received First Communion and Confirmation. The process is also offered for children ages 7 and up who have not been baptized. Inquiries are directed to the Coordinator of Faith Formation.
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic inquiries: Emily Long, 248-476-7677 ext 201
- Also open to children age 7+ who are unbaptized
Youth Ministry
St. Gerald Youth Ministry provides faith education and social/service activities for middle school and high school teens in a safe, comfortable environment where they can gather, grow, and give. Volunteer hours may count toward high school requirements and Honor Society service. Updates are posted on the parish Facebook page, calendar, and bulletin.
- Middle school and high school teens welcome
- Bring-a-friend culture
- Volunteer service hour verification available
Adult Faith Formation & Scripture Study
Adult formation opportunities include Scripture Study and resources for parents (the parish subscribes to Plaum's Gospel Weeklies as part of the curriculum, with parent resources available through their website). The parish's Confirmation preparation also offers a process for older teens beyond 8th grade.
- Adult Scripture Study
- Plaum's Gospel Weeklies (family/parent resources)
Liturgical Ministries (Worship)
Worship ministry invites volunteers into nearly every role in the Mass. The Music Ministry (under Music Director Mary Melonio, ext. 222) includes choir (Sunday 10:15 am and special occasions, practices Wednesday evenings through Pentecost), cantors for all Masses, and instrumentalists. The broader Worship Ministry encompasses altar servers, lectors, ushers, greeters, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, linen caretakers, sacristans, and church cleaners, coordinated by Norma Battel (ext. 202). Children's Liturgy of the Word for K–5th graders runs year-round during the 10:15 am Mass.
- Music Director: Mary Melonio, ext. 222
- Worship Coordinator: Norma Battel, ext. 202
- Choir practice Wednesday evenings through Pentecost
- Children's Liturgy of the Word: Sundays at 10:15 am (K–5)
Christian Service & Outreach
The parish maintains a Christian Service office and an active St. Vincent de Paul conference (founded 1965). The Gabriel Project, also introduced under Fr. Browne, offers support to mothers in need. Knights of Columbus – St. Gerald Council provides men's fellowship and charitable works; the Marthas continue the parish's tradition of funeral lunches and 'Martha's Kitchen.' Other longstanding outreach includes the annual Christmas gift-giving program (since 1981), senior ministries like Fun Seekers, and various men and women's parish councils.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Gabriel Project
- Knights of Columbus – St. Gerald Council
- Christian Service office (248-476-7677 ext 220)
- Marthas (Christian Service / Martha's Kitchen)
- Christmas gift-giving program (since 1981)
- Fun Seekers (senior social group)
- Men's Club / Women's Council
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion (typically in grades 1–2), Confirmation (grades 7–8, celebrated with the Family of Parishes), Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Two years of prior faith-formation enrollment is the Archdiocesan requirement before a child receives First Communion or Confirmation. Confirmation for 2026 is scheduled at St. Priscilla on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 am.
- First Communion – Grades 1–2
- Confirmation – Grades 7–8, celebrated in May of 8th-grade year
- 2026 Confirmation Mass: St. Priscilla, May 9, 10:00 am
Parish Staff
The parish operates with a lean, dedicated staff including the pastor and coordinators for faith formation, music, Christian service, worship ministry, accounting, the secretary's office, and a custodian.
- Pastor: Fr. Krzysztof (Kris) Nowak — 248-477-7470 ext 203
- Coordinator of Faith Formation: Emily Long — 248-476-7677 ext 201
- Music Minister (Director): Mary Melonio — 248-476-7677 ext 222
- Christian Service: 248-476-7677 ext 220
- Worship Ministry: Norma Battel — 248-476-7677 ext 202
- Accounting: Luke Smith
- Secretary: (parish office) 248-477-7470
- Custodian (on staff)
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
St. Gerald's parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The general parish phone line is (248) 477-7470 with fax (248) 477-3878. The parish email is [email protected].
- Address: 21300 Farmington Rd., Farmington, MI 48336
- Phone: 248-477-7470
- Fax: 248-477-3878
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James P. O'Hagan1964-1976
Founding pastor; led early growth, established Women's Council, Men's Council, G.T.O. (Gerald's Teen Organization), St. Vincent de Paul conference (1965), Marthas (1971), Children's Christmas Eve Mass (1974).
- Fr. Gerald McEnhill1986-
Celebrated first Mass as pastor January 1986; oversaw construction of the new (current) church, dedicated May 1991 by Archbishop Maida. Mortgage paid off in 2001.
- Fr. Ronald BrowneInstalled July 2004
Introduced First Thursday Holy Hour, First Friday Exposition and Benediction, First Saturday Mass for Life, Gabriel Project, Knights of Columbus – St. Gerald Council.
- Fr. Festus EjimaduInstalled July 2009 – 2016
Led Changing Lives Together Campaign and Together in Faith process; oversaw 2015 merger with St. Alexander Parish of Farmington Hills; named first pastor of the merged parish.
- Fr. Krzysztof (Kris) NowakAppointed June 6, 2016; assumed duties July 2016 – present
Ordained in Poland 2005, came to U.S. in 2007; first pastorate in Archdiocese of Detroit; appointed Administrator by Archbishop Allen Vigneron.