About St. Hubert Parish - Sacred Heart · Bad Axe, Michigan
The Catholic Community of St. Hubert is a parish of the Diocese of Saginaw located in Bad Axe, Michigan (Huron County), serving the Thumb region through two worship sites: Sacred Heart Church at 311 Whitelam Street in Bad Axe (the parish church) and St. Joseph Church at 3455 Rapson Road in nearby Rapson. The parish was formed in the 2010s as part of the Diocese of Saginaw's pastoral restructuring and is named after St. Hubert of Maastricht and Liège, the 8th-century patron saint of hunters. Currently led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti, St. Hubert offers daily and weekend Mass in English, the Sacrament of Reconciliation before weekend Masses, weekday Eucharistic Adoration with Rosary, and ongoing faith formation for parishioners of all ages.
- Established
- 2013
- Patron
- St. Hubert of Maastricht and Liège
- Rector
- Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
St. Hubert Parish welcomes families across Huron County into an active two-site Catholic community with daily Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, a First Friday Anointing & Healing Mass, faith formation for children and adults, a young adult women's group, and a Compassionate Companions grief-support ministry. As a small, rural parish rooted in the Thumb of Michigan, members serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers, and musicians — meaningful roles that connect neighbors to one another and to the wider Diocese of Saginaw.
Mass times at St. Hubert Parish - Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church (Bad Axe)
- Sunday: 7:15 – 7:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Church (Rapson)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with Rosary at 8:35 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. Mass (Sacred Heart, Bad Axe)
- Wednesdays from 5:00–6:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, Rapson
- Fridays: Adoration continues after Mass until 5:00 p.m. (Sacred Heart, Bad Axe)
- First Friday of each month: Anointing & Healing Mass at 9:00 a.m., with Adoration until 5:00 p.m.
- Fridays at 3:00 p.m.: Divine Mercy Chaplet and Holy Rosary (Sacred Heart, Bad Axe)
About St. Hubert Parish
The Catholic Community of St. Hubert is a parish of the Diocese of Saginaw serving the Bad Axe area of Michigan's Thumb region. The parish comprises two worship sites: Sacred Heart Church in Bad Axe (the parish church) and St. Joseph Church in Rapson. The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti, with a lay staff including a Faith Formation director, secretary/bookkeeper, music director, and finance council chair.
- Sacred Heart Church — 311 Whitelam St., Bad Axe, MI 48413 (parish church)
- St. Joseph Church — 3455 Rapson Rd., Bad Axe, MI (additional worship site)
- Diocese of Saginaw, Vicariate 1
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti
History
St. Hubert Parish was created in 2013 as part of the largest restructuring in the history of the Diocese of Saginaw. Bishop Joseph R. Cistone announced the merger of 105 parish communities into a planned 56 by 2015. In the Bad Axe area, Sacred Heart (Bad Axe), St. Joseph (Rapson), and Most Holy Trinity (Smith Corners) were linked into the new St. Hubert Parish effective July 1, 2013. Parishioners chose the name 'St. Hubert' from a short list of options submitted to Bishop Cistone. At the time of the merger, Fr. Robert Howe served as pastor of the three predecessor churches and helped guide the transition. The parish continues today as a two-site community, with Most Holy Trinity later designated for additional use.
- Formed July 1, 2013 from merger of Sacred Heart, St. Joseph (Rapson), and Most Holy Trinity (Smith Corners)
- Created as part of Bishop Joseph R. Cistone's diocesan restructuring plan (2013–2015)
- Pastor at founding: Fr. Robert Howe
- Parish name chosen by parishioners and approved by Bishop Cistone
About Our Patron Saint
St. Hubert (c. 656–727/728) was the 31st Bishop of Maastricht and the first Bishop of Liège, Belgium, and is honored as the Apostle of the Ardennes. The pious legend holds that while hunting on Good Friday, Hubert saw a crucifix between the antlers of a stag and heard a voice calling him to conversion. He became a disciple of St. Lambert, was widowed, gave up his titles and wealth, was ordained, and succeeded St. Lambert as bishop. He translated St. Lambert's relics to Liège in 720, founding the future diocese there. He is the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers, and is invoked against rabies. His feast day is November 3 (the traditional date of the translation of his relics in 743).
- Bishop of Maastricht and first Bishop of Liège
- Patron of hunters, mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers
- Feast day: November 3
- Died c. 727/728 at Tervueren, Brabant
Sacraments
Information about the seven sacraments is published on the parish website. Baptisms are celebrated for parish members who regularly practice their faith; parents are required to take a baptism preparation class before the baptism of their first child. Marriages should be scheduled as soon as possible after engagement; marriage preparation is required. The Sacrament of the Sick is available by calling the parish office to make an appointment. The Sacrament of Reconciliation has the published times above.
- Baptism — preparation class required for first child
- Marriage — appointment as soon as possible after engagement; preparation required
- Sacrament of the Sick — call the office for an appointment
- Reconciliation — see published times; by appointment
Faith Formation
St. Hubert Parish runs an ongoing Religious Education program directed by Connie Aymen. The Religious Education Office is open Monday through Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–Noon. Families wishing to enroll children or learn more are invited to contact the RE Office directly at 989-269-6691 or [email protected].
- Director of Religious Education: Connie Aymen
- Religious Education Office: 989-269-6691
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–Noon
Compassionate Companions Grief Support
St. Hubert Parish offers the Compassionate Companions Ministry — developed by the Office of Respect Life at the Diocese of Saginaw — to provide a loving and listening presence to families who have suffered the death of a loved one. The ministry reaches out through phone calls, emails, and in-person visits. Those in need of someone to talk to may contact Mary Greyerbiehl at 586-596-8064 or the parish office at 989-269-7729; those interested in joining the ministry are invited to call the same numbers.
- Phone calls, emails, and in-person visits with bereaved families
- Developed by the Diocese of Saginaw Office of Respect Life
- Contact: Mary Greyerbiehl, 586-596-8064
- Parish office: 989-269-7729
Young Adult Women's Group
St. Hubert hosts one of the Diocese of Saginaw's recognized Young Adult ministries: the St. Hubert Young Adult Women's Group. The group meets every fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the St. Hubert Parish Hall. It is open to women only and connects members via a private Facebook group and Instagram presence.
- Meets 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:00–7:30 p.m., St. Hubert Parish Hall
- Open to women
- Private Facebook group and Instagram presence
- Contact: Emily Tenbusch, 989-948-4381, [email protected]
Liturgical Ministries and Music
Parishioners serve at Mass as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, and Altar Servers — schedules are published on the parish website in advance. Ryan Tenbusch directs the parish's Music Ministry (989-553-3632). The published June 2026 ministry schedule shows assignments by name at each Mass, illustrating the depth of lay involvement across both worship sites.
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Altar Servers — published ministry schedule
- Director of Music: Ryan Tenbusch (989-553-3632)
- Ministry substitutions arranged by calling the parish office
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti, with a small but committed staff and volunteer leadership. The Diocese of Saginaw parish directory and the parish website list the current team.
- Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti — Parochial Administrator (989-551-7729, [email protected])
- Melinda Osantoski — Secretary/Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Connie Aymen — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Ryan Tenbusch — Director of Music (989-553-3632)
- Dale Wrubel — Maintenance Director
- Adam Hunt — Finance Council Chair
Contact and Office Information
Parish office business is conducted Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–Noon at 311 Whitelam Street, Bad Axe, MI 48413. Phone 989-269-7729. Lay Ministry scheduling inquiries go to [email protected].
- Parish Office Phone: 989-269-7729
- Religious Education Office: 989-269-6691
- Lay Ministry email: [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Fri 8 a.m.–Noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Robert Howe
Pastor of Sacred Heart (Bad Axe), St. Joseph (Rapson) and Most Holy Trinity (Smith Corners) at the time of the 2013 merger into St. Hubert Parish
- Rev. Yesu Mulakaleti
Current Parochial Administrator; contact [email protected], 989-551-7729