About St. Gerard · Lansing, Michigan
St. Gerard Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish in Lansing, Michigan, situated on the west side of the city and belonging to the Diocese of Lansing. Founded in 1958 to relieve the booming city's Holy Cross Parish, St. Gerard today serves roughly 8,000 parishioners with a full weekly Mass schedule, a parochial school (preschool through 8th grade), robust faith formation from Base Camp religious education through high school youth ministry, and ministries serving the homebound, the Becoming Catholic (OCIA) process, small faith groups, music, and Eucharistic adoration. The parish is pastored by Fr. Bob Bacik, the parish's fourth pastor, who was named to the role in 2021.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Gerard Majella
- Rector
- Fr. Robert (Bob) C. Bacik
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
St. Gerard is a large but welcoming west-side Lansing parish with Mass offered every day, four Sunday Masses (including a livestreamed 9:00 AM Mass and a 6:00 PM evening Mass), a half-dozen weekday Masses, Saturday confession, and weekly Eucharistic adoration. Families can enroll children in the parish school (preschool through 8th grade) or in Base Camp religious education for grades 1–8, and high-schoolers are served by both middle school and high school youth ministry programs. Adults can grow through Becoming Catholic (OCIA), small faith-sharing groups with a large library of suggested books and videos, adult faith formation, Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound, and the parish's music ministry — all under the pastoral care of Fr. Bob Bacik and a staff that includes a parochial vicar, two deacons, a school principal, and directors of religious education, youth ministry, music, and operations.
Mass times at St. Gerard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (during Lent)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (during Adoration)
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (during Lent, listed as a separate evening slot)
- And by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (followed by 6:00 PM Mass)
About St. Gerard Catholic Church
St. Gerard Catholic Church is a west-side Lansing parish of the Diocese of Lansing, founded in 1958 to serve the booming city and now home to roughly 8,000 parishioners. The parish's mission statement describes a community 'striving to create engaging and inspiring worship as well as family enriching and faith developing activities,' with 'countless opportunities to come together in friendship and faith.' The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, a preschool–8th-grade school, full faith formation from Base Camp through youth ministry, Becoming Catholic (OCIA), small groups, music, and outreach to the homebound.
- Patron: St. Gerard Majella — Redemptorist brother, feast day October 16
- Diocese: Diocese of Lansing
- Pastor: Fr. Bob Bacik (since 2021, the parish's 4th pastor)
- Address: 4437 West Willow Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917
- Phone: (517) 323-2379
Parish History
St. Gerard was established on June 25, 1958, when Bishop Joseph Henry Albers asked Fr. John F. Weber to found a new parish to relieve Holy Cross Parish in booming post-war Lansing. The community first worshipped in Bretton Woods School, with the first Mass in its 'temporary' church at Midnight Mass on Christmas 1959. The Sisters of St. Joseph opened St. Gerard School in 1961, the first permanent church was dedicated by Bishop James Sullivan in June 1975, and the temporary church was converted into the gym still in use today.
- Founded June 25, 1958 by Fr. John F. Weber
- Sisters of St. Joseph opened St. Gerard School in 1961
- Permanent church dedicated June 1975 by Bishop James Sullivan
- Mother church Holy Cross Parish closed June 21, 2009; Holy Cross artifacts now housed at St. Gerard
Becoming Catholic / Returning to the Church
St. Gerard runs a Becoming Catholic program (the current name for the OCIA / RCIA process) that prepares adults to enter the Catholic Church or complete their sacraments. The parish also has a 'Returning to Church' ministry specifically aimed at Catholics who have drifted away — including those who missed First Communion or Confirmation, those who are divorced, or anyone who simply stopped coming — with priests and deacons available to walk people back to the sacraments.
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA) classes for adults
- Returning-to-Church assistance — appointment with a priest or deacon
- Catch-up programs for those who missed First Communion or Confirmation
- Confession offered every Saturday at 9:00 AM as a 'good first step back'
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation at St. Gerard runs from childhood through high school. Base Camp is the parish's religious education program for grades 1–8, while youth ministry is split into Middle School (grades 6–8) and High School (grades 9–12), each coordinated by a dedicated staff member. There is also an Adult Faith Formation track and the parish's popular 'Burning Questions of Faith' series in which the priests answer questions submitted by parishioners.
- Base Camp — Religious Education for Grades 1–8
- Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6–8) — Theresa Bosman, Coordinator of Middle School Ministry & Confirmation
- High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12) — Jeff Corder, Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Communications
- Adult Faith Formation — 'Exploring Faith, Together.'
- Burning Questions of Faith — priests' Q&A series
St. Gerard Catholic School
St. Gerard Catholic School has been educating students on Lansing's west side since 1961, when the Sisters of St. Joseph opened it with grades 3–6 and celebrated its first 8th-grade graduation in 1964. Today the school offers preschool through 8th grade, with faith life woven into the week — including weekly Mass, daily religious instruction, classroom prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Stations of the Cross in Lent, and First Friday Adoration. The school is housed on the parish campus alongside the church, parish center, and Rosary Garden.
- Preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds
- Grades K through 8
- Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1961
- Faith components: weekly Mass, daily religion class, Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross (Lent), First Friday Adoration
- Principal: Sara Wade
- Website: stgerardlansing.org
Music Ministries
Music at St. Gerard is coordinated by Director of Music Ministries Karla Reilly, who supports the sung liturgy across the parish's many Masses, including the livestreamed 9:00 AM Sunday Mass. The school also incorporates music into its All-School Masses (such as the 8:10 AM All-School Mass on the Feast of St. Gerard).
- Director of Music Ministries: Karla Reilly
- Music for daily, weekend, and school Masses
- Music for the livestreamed Sunday 9:00 AM Mass
Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
Every Sunday, trained and commissioned homebound ministers at St. Gerard are called forward at Mass to bring the Eucharist to parishioners who cannot attend in person. The ministry is coordinated by Pastoral Minister Mary Peacock, who also arranges Sunday Visitors for parishioners in nursing homes or otherwise homebound, helping them stay connected to the parish family and to the Eucharist.
- Sunday ministers commissioned and sent forth each week
- Visits to private homes and nursing homes
- Contact: Mary Peacock, Pastoral Minister / Becoming Catholic
Small Groups and Adult Faith
St. Gerard maintains a 'library' of small-group resources — books, Scripture, videos, and reflection material — that parishioners can check out and use with their own small faith-sharing groups. Titles range from classics like 'Rediscover Catholicism,' 'Rediscover Jesus,' and 'Rediscover the Rosary' to Matthew Kelly's 'Holy Moments' and 'The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic,' as well as video series suggestions, giving groups plenty of options to deepen their faith together.
- Library of small-group books (Rediscover series, Holy Moments, The Rhythm of Life, etc.)
- Video series suggestions for groups
- Parish-supported small-group model — groups decide their own pace and format
Patron — St. Gerard Majella
St. Gerard Majella (1726–1755) was a Redemptorist religious brother born in Muro, south of Naples, Italy. After a difficult apprenticeship and several failed attempts at religious life, he joined the Redemptorists (founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori) in 1749 and lived a life marked by miracles, bilocation, reading of hearts, healings, and profound charity — earning him the title 'Father of the Poor.' He is the patron of expectant mothers, the unborn, childbirth, and the falsely accused. The parish celebrates his feast day each October 16 with extra Masses (including an All-School Mass at 8:10 AM and a 12:05 PM Mass) and a special block of Eucharistic adoration from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
- Born April 6, 1726 in Muro, Italy
- Died October 16, 1755 at age 29; canonized by Pope St. Pius X on December 11, 1904
- Redemptorist brother (never ordained a priest)
- Patron of expectant mothers, the unborn, childbirth, and the falsely accused
- Feast day at St. Gerard parish: October 16, with Masses at 6:30 AM, 8:10 AM (All-School), and 12:05 PM, plus adoration 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish staff includes ordained clergy, deacons, and lay leaders in faith formation, youth ministry, school, music, and operations. Together they support worship, faith formation, sacramental preparation, school life, and parish communications.
- Fr. Bob Bacik — Pastor
- Fr. Jon Bokuniewicz — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Jim Corder
- Brian — Deacon
- Sabrina Ashton — Director of Religious Education
- Theresa Bosman — Coordinator of Middle School Ministry & Confirmation
- Jeff Corder — Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Coordinator of Communications
- Mary Peacock — Pastoral Minister / Becoming Catholic
- Sara Wade — School Principal
- Karla Reilly — Director of Music Ministries
Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can get involved in a wide range of parish life at St. Gerard. There are volunteer roles in Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound, music ministry, Base Camp catechesis, youth ministry, the parish school's faith life, and small-group leadership. The parish also welcomes those interested in becoming Catholic (OCIA), those returning after time away, and anyone wanting to grow through adult faith formation or the 'Burning Questions of Faith' Q&A series.
- Volunteer as a homebound minister (contact Mary Peacock)
- Join Music Ministries (contact Karla Reilly)
- Help with Base Camp, Middle School, or High School Youth Ministry
- Start or join a small faith-sharing group using parish resources
- Submit a question to 'Burning Questions of Faith'
- Inquire about Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John F. Weber1958–1988
Founding pastor; first pastor of the parish, asked by Bishop Joseph Henry Albers to found the community during Lansing's post-war boom.
- Msgr. Sylvester (Sy) Fedewa1988–1998
Second pastor; added a fifth addition to the school, renovated the worship space in 1997, led the 40th anniversary, and was elevated to Monsignor before retiring.
- Fr. John P. Klein1998–2021
Third pastor; expanded the church and built the parish center in 2004, expanded and renovated the school, blessed by Bishop Mengeling in 2005; created the Rosary Garden in 2007 and led the 50th anniversary.
- Fr. Robert (Bob) C. Bacik2021–present
Fourth pastor; originally from Jackson, MI, ordained for the Diocese of Lansing in 2015; previously pastoral vicar at St. John, Davison, then pastor of St. Isidore, Laingsburg, and Holy Family, Ovid; Diocesan Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus since 2018.