About St. John Neumann · Canton, Michigan
St. John Neumann Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Canton, Michigan, belonging to the Archdiocese of Detroit and located at 44800 Warren Road. Named for the 19th-century Bishop of Philadelphia who is the only American bishop canonized as a saint, the parish community celebrates Mass in English throughout the week, hosts Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, and offers a robust schedule of faith formation, youth, family, and outreach ministries. The parish is currently grouped in the South Northwest Wayne 4 Family of Parishes alongside Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, Resurrection in Canton, and St. Thomas a'Becket in Canton.
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- St. John Neumann (Bishop of Philadelphia, 1811–1860; canonized 1977)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Ballien (Pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Vicarate: Northwest Wayne Vicariate; Family of Parishes: South Northwest Wayne 4)
Why belong here
St. John Neumann is a multigenerational Catholic parish that grows disciples through the sacraments, formation, and service. Families find a complete Faith Formation program (PS–8), OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Confirmation and First Eucharist preparation, plus dedicated youth and young adult ministries, a family ministry coordinator, and a men's prayer breakfast. Outreach runs deep: an active St. Vincent de Paul conference provides food and emergency-shelter help, a Christian Service coordinator organizes parish charity, the Knights of Columbus lead fellowship and service, and Respect Life, Grief Support, and a parish Women's Organization round out the community life. With four Sunday Masses, daily Mass, weekly Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and regular confession, the rhythms of worship and formation are easy to enter into.
Mass times at St. John Neumann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Benediction; adoration begins immediately after the 9 AM Daily Mass)
About St. John Neumann Catholic Parish
St. John Neumann is a Roman Catholic parish in Canton, Michigan, in the Northwest Wayne Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The parish's stated mission is 'Bringing People to Jesus Christ,' and the community gathers for Mass in English throughout the week, with four Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Friday, and a first-Saturday morning Mass. The parish belongs to the South Northwest Wayne 4 Family of Parishes together with Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, Resurrection Parish in Canton, and St. Thomas a'Becket Parish in Canton.
Parish History
The land on which St. John Neumann sits was acquired in 1969, but the parish itself was organized in 1976 when Fr. Edward Baldwin was sent to bring together the 252 founding families. Daily Masses were first celebrated in parishioners' homes; in 1978 the original church was built and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton laid the cornerstone, which remains in place. The patron saint, Bishop John Neumann of Philadelphia, was canonized in 1977 — the same year the parish was established. Ahead of the parish's 40th anniversary in 2016, the sanctuary was renovated and on December 10, 2016, Archbishop Allen Vigneron rededicated the church and consecrated a new marble altar.
- 1969: Archdiocese of Detroit purchases 7½-acre Warren Road site for $56,750.74
- March 1976: Fr. Edward Baldwin appointed to form the new parish with 252 registered families
- Early years: Daily Masses celebrated in parishioners' homes
- 1978: Ground broken; Bishop Gumbleton lays cornerstone in October
- 1980s–2010s: Parish grows as part of growing Canton community
- Fall 2016: Major sanctuary renovation (pews, kneelers, tile, marble altar, tabernacle moved into sanctuary, hanging crucifix, statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- December 10, 2016: Archbishop Vigneron rededicates the church
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Fr. Paul Ballien, Associate Pastor Fr. John Britto Chinnappa, MSFS, Weekend Associate Fr. Jeff Day, and Deacons Patrick Conlen and Jim Thibodeau (with Deacon Ralph Luddecke also assigned in the Archdiocese directory). Fr. Jim Houbeck serves as Associate Pastor for the partnered Resurrection Parish in the same Family of Parishes. A full lay staff supports faith formation, music and liturgy, youth ministry, communications, business, maintenance, and sacramental preparation.
- Fr. Paul Ballien — Pastor (ext. 106, [email protected])
- Fr. John Britto Chinnappa, MSFS — Associate Pastor (ext. 108)
- Fr. Jeff Day — Weekend Associate
- Fr. Jim Houbeck — Associate Pastor for Resurrection Parish
- Deacon Patrick Conlen (ext. 105, [email protected])
- Deacon Jim Thibodeau (ext. 105, [email protected])
- Deacon Ralph Luddecke
- Kurt Kulikowski — Director of Liturgy and Music
- Mary Alice Hurst — Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization
- Jason Brown — OCIA & Evangelization Coordinator
- Jahna Hennika Kotcher — Family Ministry Coordinator
- Lyndsey Osterholt — Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
- Mary Genyk — Youth Minister (Junior High)
- Bill Corey — Christian Service Coordinator
- Pia Carli — Pre-Marriage Coordinator & Parish Promotions / Creative Director
- Tom Rzepecki — Business & Finance Manager
- Yvette Corey — Parish Secretary
- Linda Muse — Parish Reporting Analyst & Admin
- Jane Dickman — Weekend Parish Secretary
- Rebecca Hill — Faith Formation Admin Assistant
- Sarah Pryce — Marriage Preparation & Parish Promotions Admin
- Daniel Hankins — Facilities Director
- Anthony Czajka — Maintenance Technician
- Michael Kaledas — Athletic Director
Parish Leadership & Councils
A Parish Leadership Team assists and advises the pastor, and a Parish Finance Council oversees the temporal affairs of the parish. Both groups include named parishioners who can be contacted through the parish office.
- Parish Leadership Team members: Pia Carli, Aracely Dark, Jay Dark, Ed Hurst, Randy Martin, Fred Morath
- Parish Finance Council members: Keith Laurin, John Lutz, Tom Rzepecki (Business Manager), Don Zaksek, Brian Zahn (Finance Council President)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Formation program serves children from preschool through grade 8, with separate tracks for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Faith Formation classes follow the Plymouth-Canton school calendar — if Plymouth-Canton schools close for inclement weather, Religious Formation classes are canceled that evening. The office can be reached at (734) 455-5986.
- Whole Community Catechesis (Faith UNwrapped) program
- First Reconciliation preparation for 2nd graders
- First Eucharist preparation for 2nd graders
- Confirmation preparation for 8th graders
- Religious Formation Admin: Rebecca Hill (ext. 114 / 734-455-5986)
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish runs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) for adults seeking to become Catholic or to complete their initiation sacraments. Jason Brown serves as the OCIA Specialist on staff.
- OCIA & Evangelization Coordinator: Jason Brown (ext. 118, [email protected])
Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministries
St. John Neumann maintains a multi-tiered ministry for children, teens, young adults, and families. Junior High youth ministry, a wider Youth & Young Adult program, a dedicated Family Ministry Coordinator, and a parish athletics program together engage parishioners across age groups.
- Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Lyndsey Osterholt (ext. 111)
- Youth Minister (Junior High): Mary Genyk (ext. 116)
- Family Ministry Coordinator: Jahna Hennika Kotcher (ext. 114/103)
- Athletic Director: Michael Kaledas ([email protected])
- Confirmation preparation for 8th graders
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music are coordinated by a Director of Liturgy and Music who oversees liturgical planning, formation, and music ministry. The parish also has an active Media Ministry that supports the broadcast and recording of Mass.
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Kurt Kulikowski (ext. 109, [email protected])
- Media Ministry: Ed Hurst Jr.
- Sunday homily video link is published on the parish homepage
Outreach & Christian Service
Outreach is a hallmark of St. John Neumann, with a dedicated Christian Service Coordinator and a St. Vincent de Paul conference that provides food and emergency-shelter assistance. The parish also runs blood drives, a Respect Life ministry, a Grief Support group, and the Knights of Columbus.
- Christian Service Coordinator: Bill Corey (ext. 110)
- St. Vincent de Paul: Deborah Skotak — food and emergency-shelter help
- Knights of Columbus Council 16169: Steve Sarlitto ([email protected])
- Respect Life Ministry: Marshall Graziolli
- Blood Drive Coordinator: Ginny Springer
- Grief Support: Tim Wood
- Men's Prayer Breakfast: Ron Kreschmer
- Women's Organization: Betty Nolan
Parish Organizations & Liturgical Ministries
Parish organizations and liturgical ministries offer parishioners ways to serve during Mass and in the wider community, with named leaders who can be contacted through the parish office.
- Altar Servers: Jessica Hurst
- Eucharistic Ministers: Dan & Connie Vella
- Funeral Luncheons: Shirley Chrostowski
- Lectors: Rich Florence
- Sacristans: Jane Dickman
- Ushers: Tom Baptist (Vice President) and Dennis Oszust (President)
- Welcoming Ministry
- Athletic Director: Michael Kaledas
- Women's Organization: Betty Nolan ([email protected])
Sacraments & Marriage Preparation
Beyond the Mass and Confession, the parish prepares members for the sacraments of initiation, supports couples in marriage preparation, and walks with families through funerals. A dedicated Pre-Marriage Coordinator and Marriage Preparation Admin staff member works with engaged couples.
- Baptism: contact parish office
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist / Confirmation: parish Religious Formation office
- Marriage: Pre-Marriage Coordinator Pia Carli (ext. 104); Marriage Preparation Admin Sarah Pryce
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Sick: contact parish office
- Funeral Liturgy and Funeral Luncheons: Shirley Chrostowski
- OCIA (adults): Jason Brown
Office, Location & Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (with a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 PM) and Friday 9:00 AM – noon; Saturday hours are 3:00 – 6:00 PM. The office phone menu uses extensions for each staff member.
- Address: 44800 Warren Road, Canton, MI 48187
- Main phone: (734) 455-5910 (ext. 100 or 101 for office)
- Religious Formation: (734) 455-5986
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM (closed 12–1 PM), Fri 9 AM–noon, Sat 3–6 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward (Ed) Baldwin1976 (founding)
Appointed by the Archdiocese in March 1976 to organize the new parish from its 252 founding families; led groundbreaking and cornerstone ceremony in 1978. Later raised to the rank of Monsignor.
- Rev. Ron Richards
Identified as pastor in a 2015 visit documented by a Detroit-area Catholic churches blog.
- Rev. George Williams
Listed in at least one third-party directory as a subsequent pastor of the parish.
- Rev. Paul Ballienpresent
Current pastor; listed in Archdiocese of Detroit directory as Priestly moderator 'Primarily Responsible' for the parish and pastor on the parish's own staff page.