About St. James · Novi, Michigan
St. James Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Novi, Michigan, within the Archdiocese of Detroit, serving a growing suburban community northwest of Detroit. The parish was created in 1989 by Cardinal Edmund Szoka and worships at 46325 W. 10 Mile Road, where the current church was dedicated in 1993. St. James offers daily and Sunday Mass, religious education, youth ministry, an active Christian Service Commission, choirs for all ages, and a wide array of parish groups, all in a setting that emphasizes parish life as family.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- St. James the Greater
- Rector
- Rev. Edward F. (Ed) Zaorski
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. James offers a full Sunday and daily Mass schedule, a comprehensive K-12 religious education program (Faithbuilders grades 1-5, Encounter for 6th grade, and Ignite for high school), choirs and music ensembles for all ages, and an active Christian Service Commission that supports families in need through programs like Adopt-A-Family, blood drives, holiday food and gift projects, and partnerships with St. Aloysius Parish's neighborhood services. With adult groups like PrimeTimers (50+), Friendship Circle for widows and widowers, Women's Bible Study, Gardening Angels, Respect Life, and Women of Light, plus CYO athletics and parish-life hospitality for newcomers, the parish works to be a community where 'all are welcome' and where service flows naturally from faith.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 2:30 PM
- Wednesdays at 6:00 PM (before the 7:00 PM Mass)
- Lenten Reconciliation Service (seasonal, e.g. March 24 at 7:00 PM)
Adoration times
- Morning Lenten Adoration during the season of Lent (6:30 AM as scheduled)
- Additional adoration services during Advent and Lent (see bulletin/calendar)
Parish History
St. James Parish was created in 1989 by Cardinal Edmund Szoka, then Archbishop of Detroit, in response to the rapidly growing Catholic population in Novi, Michigan. From July to September of that year, Holy Family Parish was divided and the new parish became St. James the Greater. The community celebrated its first Mass as an independent parish on September 16, 1989, at Parkview Elementary School.
- Parish created 1989 by Cardinal Edmund Szoka
- First Mass as independent parish: Sept. 16, 1989, at Parkview Elementary School
- Groundbreaking ceremony: June 28, 1992, with over 500 parishioners
- Church dedicated by Archbishop Adam J. Maida: Sept. 16, 1993
- 25th anniversary celebrated September 2014 with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron
- 30th anniversary celebrated September 2019
- Enrollment of approximately 2,179 families/households
Parish Family Life Center
To support its growing family of parishioners, St. James completed a Parish Family Life Center that has become the hub for faith formation classes, parish groups, athletic activities, and shared meals. The center was officially opened and ribbon-cut on January 28, 2006.
- Religious education classrooms
- Gymnasium
- Enhanced kitchen
- Meeting spaces
- Ribbon-cutting ceremony: January 28, 2006
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. James offers a full K-12 faith formation program, providing age-appropriate catechesis for the children and teens of the parish. The program is volunteer-supported and includes a family-friendly Vacation Bible School.
- Faithbuilders — Grades 1-5
- Encounter — Grade 6
- Ignite — High School Year 1 and Year 2
- Vacation Bible School
- KidsWord — Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Catechists, teachers, and session support volunteers needed
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
St. James welcomes adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through OCIA (formerly RCIA). The parish lists OCIA Team Member roles among its liturgical ministry volunteer opportunities.
- OCIA formation for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist
- OCIA team member volunteers
Music and Liturgical Ministries
The parish has a vibrant music ministry with choirs for children, women, and adults, along with cantors and instrumentalists across many instruments. The parish also draws volunteers for a wide range of liturgical roles at Mass and other celebrations.
- St. James Adult Choir
- St. James Women's Choir
- St. James Children's Choir
- Cantors / Leader of Song
- Keyboardists (piano/organ)
- Instrumentalists (flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, percussion)
- Liturgical Tech Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMEs)
- Lectors and Readers
- Sacristans and Seasonal Decoration Setup
- Ushers / Hospitality
- Wedding Coordinator Team
- Funeral Sacristan/Greeter
Christian Service and Outreach
Christian service is central to the parish's identity. The Christian Service Commission organizes year-round initiatives, supported by an annual appeal and large holiday giving campaigns.
- Adopt-A-Family partnership with the Archdiocese of Detroit
- Blood Drive
- Donut Sundays
- Grief Ministry
- Home Bound Ministry
- Easter Baskets, Backpacks, Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Kindness projects
- Life Issues Ministry
- Moms, Babies and Kids (pregnancy support programs)
- St. Aloysius Breakfast
- Postal Food Drive and Rebuilding Together projects
Parish Life and Adult Groups
Beyond worship and service, St. James offers a wide range of groups for fellowship, prayer, study, and recreation, including groups that focus on specific stages of life.
- PrimeTimers (50+ club)
- Friendship Circle (widows and widowers)
- Women's Bible Study
- Women of Light
- Men's For Others
- Respect Life
- Gardening Angels
- Body & Soul exercise classes
- New Parishioner Welcome Team
- Hospitality Committee
- Evangelization Committee
CYO Athletics and Youth Sports
St. James supports Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) athletics for parish youth, with volunteer coaches and game-day volunteers across several sports.
- Girls Volleyball — coach/assistant coach
- Girls Basketball — coach/assistant coach
- Boys Basketball — coach/assistant coach
- Game-day, banquet, and AD-support volunteers
Parish Staff
The parish is supported by a pastor, two deacons, a Director of Music Ministry, a Director of Religious Education, a Director of Communications & IT, a Director of Pastoral Associate / Evangelical Charity, a Facilities Manager, a Bookkeeper, a Parish Secretary, and a Religious Education Office Assistant. Many staff and clergy can be reached at (248) 347-7778 with the extensions listed on the parish staff page.
- Rev. Edward F. Zaorski — Pastor (Ext. 16)
- Deacon Pete Cornell (Ext. 12)
- Deacon Glenn Melenyk
- Director of Music Ministry
- Director of Religious Education (Ext. 18)
- Joan Baert — Parish Secretary (Ext. 19)
- Director of Communications & IT (Ext. 14)
- Director of Pastoral Associate / Evangelical Charity (Ext. 24)
- Bookkeeper (Ext. 17)
- Religious Education Office Assistant (Ext. 13)
- Facilities Manager (Ext. 35)
Plan Your Visit
Newcomers are welcomed at St. James through the parish registration process and the New Parishioner Welcome Team. Mass is offered at multiple times across the weekend and on weekdays, with confessions regularly available on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.
- Address: 46325 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, MI 48374
- Phone: (248) 347-7778
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stjamesnovi.org
- Weekend Masses: Sat 4:00 PM; Sun 8:00, 9:30, 11:30 AM
- Confessions: Sat 2:30 PM and Wed 6:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James CronkSeptember 1989 – June 2003
Founding pastor; previously served at Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford.
- Rev. George CharnleyJuly 2003 – June 2012
Second pastor of St. James the Greater of Novi.
- Msgr. John KaszaJuly 2012 – July 2019
Third pastor; led the parish's 25th anniversary celebration in 2014.
- Rev. Edward F. ZaorskiJuly 2019 – present
Fourth and current pastor.