About St. Irenaeus · Rochester Hills, Michigan
St. Irenaeus Catholic Church is a parish in Rochester Hills, Michigan, part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit. Established in 1967 in what was then Avon Township, it now serves over 2,100 families from its home on Old Perch Road. The parish offers weekend and weekday Mass (including a live-streamed Sunday Mass), a robust faith-formation program from kindergarten through Confirmation, vibrant worship and music ministries, and a range of Christian service and outreach initiatives. A team of clergy, deacons, and lay staff shepherd a community the parish describes as 'dynamic,' growing in faith through worship, learning, and service.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. Irenaeus of Lyon (c. 130–202 AD), second-century bishop, Church Father, and apologist whose feast day is celebrated on June 28. The parish's website states it was named in his honor.
- Rector
- Father Gerry LeBoeuf (currently titled 'Family Pastor')
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Irenaeus welcomes newcomers with a dedicated staff ready to help with sacramental preparation, faith growth, baptismal service, finding groups that match a parishioner's interests, and pursuing leadership in any of its ministries. Worship is enriched by weekday and weekend Mass (with the Sunday Mass live-streamed), Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday evenings during Advent and Lent, the Stations of the Cross in Lent, group recitation of the Rosary, and choirs for children and adults. The parish is part of a 'Family of Parishes' with St. Andrew and St. Mary of the Hills, and supports a full Faith Formation program from kindergarten through Confirmation, plus OCIA for adults and OCIC for children entering the Church.
Mass times at St. Irenaeus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30pm–4:30pm (per Discover Mass listing for St. Irenaeus; the parish website's Worship page does not publish its own confession times in the current scrape).
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered on Monday evenings, 7:00–8:00pm, during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Our History
The parish's history page — titled '59 Years of Faith' — tells the founding and growth of St. Irenaeus from a 250-family mission in 1967 Avon Township to a community of more than 2,100 families today. Archbishop John Dearden established the parish on June 21, 1967, naming Monsignor Raymond Kuzava as founding pastor and honoring St. Irenaeus of Lyon, the second-century bishop and Church Father. The first Masses were held at West Junior High School before the original church was dedicated on January 14, 1968. Within a decade, the parish's northern boundary was expanded and facilities were outgrown; groundbreaking for the current church was held in August 1979 and the new building was dedicated by Cardinal Dearden on November 15, 1980.
- Founded June 21, 1967 by Archbishop John Dearden
- First pastor: Monsignor Raymond Kuzava (1967–1992)
- Current church dedicated November 15, 1980 by Cardinal Dearden
- Five pastors in fifty-nine years: Msgr. Kuzava, Fr. Mitchell, Fr. Pollie, Fr. Chabala, Fr. LeBoeuf
- Monsignor Kuzava planted 'seeds of faith on an empty field' and was killed in an auto accident in 1992
Worship with Us
The Worship page invites visitors to encounter God in 'a real and personal way' through the Mass, and gives the full schedule. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:00pm; Sunday Masses are at 9:45am (live-streamed) and 11:30am; weekday Mass is at 9:00am on Monday and Wednesday. The page explains that the Pastor and ministers bring the Real Presence of Jesus Christ alive each Mass and invites active participation. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered Monday evenings from 7–8pm during Advent and Lent, and the community gathers on Friday evenings during Lent for the Stations of the Cross. The Rosary is prayed before and after every weekday Mass, with prayer cards and rosaries available for newcomers.
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00pm
- Sunday — 9:45am (live-streamed) and 11:30am
- Weekday Mass — Monday & Wednesday at 9:00am
- Adoration — Monday 7–8pm during Advent and Lent
- Stations of the Cross — Friday evenings during Lent
- Rosary — before and after each weekday Mass
- Sunday Mass available on-demand after the 9:45am broadcast
Worship Ministries (Liturgical Volunteers)
St. Irenaeus welcomes volunteers of every age into its worship ministries, with training provided and background checks required for certain roles. Children's Choir is open to boys and girls age 7 and up with no musical experience required; Adult Choir, for high school age and older, leads music at the 9:45am Sunday Mass and special liturgies from September through June (rehearsals on Wednesday evenings). Other roles include Lector, Eucharistic Minister (including taking Communion to the homebound, sick, and Medilodge senior centers), Altar Server (4th grade and older), Usher, and Greeter / Welcome Desk ambassadors who welcome weekend Mass-goers and register new parishioners.
- Lector
- Eucharistic Minister (EMHC) — including homebound and Medilodge visits
- Altar Server (4th grade and older)
- Greeter / Welcome Desk
- Usher
- Children's Choir (ages 7+) — once a month at the 11:30am Mass
- Adult Choir (high school+) — leads 9:45am Sunday Mass; rehearses Wednesdays
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Irenaeus supports the parish's belief that, as a Catholic community, parishioners 'are called to continue the mission of Jesus and to spread the Good News of God's love' through teaching God's Word, worship, the sacraments, and service. The program nurtures faith, morals, family, and friendship in a safe and caring environment while supporting parents and guardians as the first and primary educators of their children's Catholic faith. Classes run from October through April across multiple grade levels, with Sunday morning sessions for Kindergarten and weekly Monday/Tuesday evening sessions for Grades 1–7. Faith Formation is shared across the parish's 'Family of Parishes' with St. Andrew and St. Mary of the Hills; a $200 out-of-parish fee applies for families not registered at one of the three.
- Kindergarten — Sunday 9:45–10:45am
- Grades 1–5 — Monday 6:00–7:15pm or Tuesday 4:45–6:00pm
- Middle School Ministry (Grades 6–7) — Monday 6:00–7:15pm or Tuesday 4:45–6:00pm
- Confirmation Phase I (Grade 8) — one Sunday per month, 2:00–3:30pm, September–April
- Confirmation Phase II (Grade 9) — weekly September through December
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children, ages 9–15)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Volunteers needed: catechists, substitutes, and teacher aides (grades 5+)
- Contact: Kathy Freer, [email protected], (248) 651-2443 x117
Sacramental Preparation
St. Irenaeus prepares children and youth for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through both classroom curriculum and dedicated preparation tracks. Catholic-school students register online for the sacrament and book fee; older students wishing to make a sacrament for the first time are accommodated through the same office. Confirmation is a two-phase program open to public-school and Catholic-school students, with the Sacrament celebrated in the winter of 9th grade.
- First Reconciliation — prepared in 2nd grade classroom
- First Communion — 2nd grade, January through April
- Confirmation Phase I — 8th grade, parent-and-teen sessions with monthly speakers and a retreat format
- Confirmation Phase II — 9th grade, weekly September–December; common service project, two youth group meetings, Sacrament in winter
- Confirmation contact: Melanie Avila, [email protected], (248) 651-2443 x119
Music Ministry
Music is led by Music Ministry Director Cat Dacpano ([email protected], ext. 103) and Children and Youth Choir Director Michele Morrow ([email protected], 248-229-6114). Vocalists high-school age and older rehearse on Wednesday evenings to lead music at the 9:45am Sunday Mass and special liturgies from September through June. The Children's Choir, open to all boys and girls age 7 and older regardless of musical experience, sings or plays at the 11:30am Mass once a month with weekly rehearsals during the school year.
- Cat Dacpano — Music Ministry Director
- Michele Morrow — Children and Youth Choir Director
- Adult Choir — rehearses Wednesday evenings; sings 9:45am Sunday Mass
- Children's Choir — ages 7+; sings at 11:30am Mass once a month
Service & Outreach
The Christian Service Commission and Service & Outreach Ministries coordinate the parish's response to the Gospel call to serve. The parish's origins include founding 'Christian Service' as one of its core commissions, and today's team is led by Christian Service Coordinator Cindy Monaghan ([email protected], 248-656-8720 x102). Trained, commissioned Eucharistic Ministers take Holy Communion to the homebound, sick, and senior centers including Medilodge, extending the parish's worship life beyond the church walls.
- Christian Service Commission (founded under Fr. Mitchell in the 1990s)
- Christian Service Coordinator — Cindy Monaghan
- Communion to the homebound, sick, and Medilodge senior centers
- Pastoral Outreach — Kathy Karbowski, [email protected]
Clergy & Staff Directory
The parish is shepherded by Family Pastor Father Gerry LeBoeuf (248-651-9595 ext. 111) and Deacon Ron Valade. A large lay staff supports faith formation, music, youth ministry, worship, engagement, Christian service, finance, facilities, and parish administration across two phone lines. The Staff Directory page lists every staff member with extension numbers and email addresses, making it easy for parishioners and visitors to find the right contact.
- Family Pastor — Fr. Gerry LeBoeuf (ext. 111)
- Deacon Ron Valade
- Ken Sigler — Pastoral Associate / Worship Coordinator (ext. 113)
- Kathy Freer — Faith Formation Director (Faith Formation: 248-651-2443 x117)
- Melanie Avila — Youth Ministry Director / Confirmation Coordinator (x119)
- Cat Dacpano — Music Ministry Director (ext. 103)
- Michele Morrow — Children and Youth Choir Director
- Amy Wood — Engagement Coordinator
- Cindy Monaghan — Christian Service Coordinator (248-656-8720 x102)
- Diana Godfryd — Business Manager (ext. 109)
- Kathy Karbowski — Parish Administrative Assistant (ext. 110)
- Jennifer Eman — Bookkeeper (ext. 108)
- Tom Stimpson — Maintenance Supervisor (ext. 125)
- Jackie Lepore — Faith Formation Administrative Assistant (x114)
- Stephanie McNutt — 4th, 5th & Middle School Coordinator (x116)
- Ellen Stuart — K, 1st & 3rd Grade Level Coordinator (x115)
- Maureen Sherry — Parish Hall Coordinator
- File Lulgjuraj — Church and Parish Office Caretaker
Parish Life & Getting Involved
The parish's 'We welcome you!' page directs visitors and new parishioners to a dedicated staff that can help them celebrate the sacraments, grow in faith, respond to their baptismal call to serve, find groups and social events of interest, and pursue leadership opportunities across the ministries. A Time & Talent survey helps newcomers identify volunteering opportunities that match their gifts. The Welcome Desk ambassadors register new parishioners and provide information before and after weekend Masses.
- Dedicated staff available to help visitors and new parishioners
- Time & Talent survey to match gifts with volunteering
- Welcome Desk / Greeter ministry registers new parishioners at weekend Masses
- Family of Parishes with St. Andrew and St. Mary of the Hills
Contact & Visit
St. Irenaeus is located at 771 Old Perch Road in Rochester Hills, Michigan, part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit and a member of a Family of Parishes with St. Andrew and St. Mary of the Hills. The parish main number is (248) 651-9595, the Faith Formation Department is reached at (248) 651-2443, and Christian Service at (248) 656-8720. A general contact form on the parish website lets visitors send questions; staff contact information is available on the Staff Directory page, and prayer requests can be submitted through the website.
- Address — 771 Old Perch Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309
- Parish phone — (248) 651-9595
- Faith Formation — (248) 651-2443
- Christian Service — (248) 656-8720
- Website — https://stirenaeus.org/
- Part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Raymond Kuzava1967–1992
Founding pastor, appointed by Archbishop John Dearden after teaching at Sacred Heart Seminary. Served 25 years in his only pastorate; built the parish's sacred places of worship and 'planted seeds of faith on an empty field.' Tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1992, shortly before his retirement.
- Father Edward Mitchell1992–2000
Shepherded the parish through 'a sad and difficult moment' after Msgr. Kuzava's death. Enriched Religious Education programs, created the Christian Service Commission, and led development of the parish hall, offices and classrooms.
- Father Frank Pollie2000–2011
Listed among the five pastors who served across the parish's first fifty-nine years.
- Father Brian Chabala2011–2020
Arrived from St. Fabian in Farmington Hills; described as bringing a joy in preaching the Word and a welcoming spirit that helped the parish grow to over 2,100 families.
- Father Gerry LeBoeuf2020–present
Current 'Family Pastor'; succeeded Father Chabala.