About St. John Paul II · Saginaw, Michigan
Saint John Paul II Parish is a Roman Catholic community located in Carrollton, a neighborhood of Saginaw, Michigan, within the Diocese of Saginaw. Formed on July 1, 2014 through the merger of three historic parishes — St. John the Baptist (Carrollton), St. Josaphat (Carrollton) and St. Matthew (Zilwaukee) — it was one of the first parishes in the United States to take St. John Paul II as its patron, receiving its name just a week before the pope's canonization in 2014. The parish's designated church is St. Josaphat Church at 469 Shattuck Road, and today it serves roughly 425 registered households with weekend and weekday Masses, faith formation, liturgical ministries, and outreach.
- Established
- 2014
- Patron
- Saint John Paul II (Pope John Paul II, canonized April 27, 2014)
- Rector
- Rev. William J. Rutkowski
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
Saint John Paul II Parish welcomes newcomers into a vibrant community of about 425 households, shaped by the combined histories of three Carrollton/Zilwaukee parishes and grounded in its mission to 'open wide the doors to Christ' through evangelization, stewardship and vibrant worship. Whether a parishioner wants to serve at the altar as a lector, Eucharistic minister, altar server or sacristan, join the choir or music ministry under Principal Accompanist Patrick Portner, walk with the Rosary Altar Society, gather socially at the Euchre Club, or take part in faith formation and outreach, there are concrete ways to belong. A parish with named commissions — Worship, Christian Service, and Art & Environment — alongside a Pastoral Council and Finance Council, makes it easy to get involved at whatever level a person is ready for.
Mass times at St. John Paul II
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (St. Josaphat Church, 469 Shattuck Road)
History & Founding of Saint John Paul II Parish
Saint John Paul II Parish was founded on July 1, 2014 through the merger of three Catholic parishes in Carrollton and Zilwaukee — Saint John the Baptist, Saint Josaphat, and Saint Matthew — as part of Bishop Joseph R. Cistone's diocesan-wide 'Planning Tomorrow's Parishes' strategic process. After a year-long suspension caused by a formal appeal to the Congregation of Clergy in Rome, the merger was upheld in February 2014, and on Easter Sunday of that year the new parish was given the name Saint John Paul II — exactly one week before the pope's canonization, making it one of the first parishes in the United States to bear his name.
- Merger decree issued January 18, 2013 by Bishop Cistone
- Appeal rejected February 4, 2014
- Name announced Easter Sunday 2014
- Parish officially established July 1, 2014
- Three predecessor parishes: St. John the Baptist (Carrollton), St. Josaphat (Carrollton), St. Matthew (Zilwaukee)
Our Three Predecessor Parishes
Each of the three parishes that joined to form Saint John Paul II brought its own buildings, traditions and cultural identity. Together they gave the new parish a heritage described by the parish itself as 'rich and full of diversity.'
- Saint John the Baptist Parish, Carrollton — church, rectory and Parish Hall Center retained as 'church for occasional use'
- Saint Josaphat Parish, Carrollton — designated as the new parish church; site includes rectory, former convent, old school building and St. Josaphat Education Center
- Saint Matthew Parish, Zilwaukee — church, parish hall, rectory and old church building retained as 'church for occasional use'
Pastoral Leadership & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father William J. Rutkowski, pastor since 2020, with the assistance of Deacon Dale Sisson (who also serves as Director of Maintenance), a parochial vicar, a pastoral minister, business manager, secretary, communications specialist, principal accompanist, and part-time maintenance staff. Pastoral Administrator Sister Christine A. Gretka, CSJ led the parish from its founding in 2014 until 2019, followed by Father Ronald Wagner from 2019 to 2020.
- Rev. William J. Rutkowski — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Amal Raj Madanu — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Dale Sisson — Deacon and Director of Maintenance
- Tori Little — Pastoral Minister ([email protected])
- Natalie Serrato — Business Manager / Bookkeeper
- Alexandria Serrato — Office Professional / Communications Specialist / Secretary
- Patrick Portner — Principal Accompanist, Music Ministry
Pastor / Administrator Succession
Although young, the parish has had three leaders since its founding.
- 2014–2019: Sister Christine A. Gretka, CSJ (Pastoral Administrator)
- 2019–2020: Father Ronald Wagner
- 2020–present: Father William J. Rutkowski
Liturgical Ministries
Numerous parishioners serve in liturgical roles at Mass. Training and formation sessions are available for anyone interested in joining a liturgical ministry.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Ministers of Hospitality (ushers, greeters, collection, offertory, Communion processions)
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs ongoing faith formation for children, youth and families, with seasonal events such as Vacation Bible School and spring faith-formation gatherings. Formation topics historically highlighted on the parish site include the March for Life, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and 'Holy Hour 101.'
- Faith Formation program for children and youth
- Family catechesis
- Seasonal Vacation Bible School
- Pastoral Ministry led by Tori Little
Music Ministry
Music at Saint John Paul II Parish is led by Principal Accompanist Patrick Portner. The Music Ministry supports the parish's Sunday and weekday liturgies at St. Josaphat Church.
- Patrick Portner — Principal Accompanist
- Parish choirs and cantors serve weekend and weekday Masses
Parish Life, Organizations & Outreach
Beyond the liturgy, the parish supports a number of social and service organizations. The Christian Service Commission coordinates outreach, including long-running participation in the Saginaw County Jail ministry (a parishioner has been serving there for nearly 20 years). The Rosary Altar Society and Euchre Club provide fellowship and devotional life outside of Mass.
- Christian Service Commission — outreach and charity
- Parish Worship Commission
- Art & Environment Committee
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Rosary Altar Society
- Euchre Club (social)
- Jail and prison ministry (Saginaw County Jail, diocesan jail/prison ministry program)
Our Mission Statement
The parish's published mission statement frames its identity and goals: 'We, as the Body of Christ, in the faith community of Saint John Paul II, built on our combined histories and cultural diversity, are called to "open wide the doors to Christ" through evangelization, stewardship, and vibrant worship.'
- Evangelization
- Stewardship
- Vibrant worship
- Cultural diversity from three merged parish communities
Sacraments
The sacraments of initiation and the regular celebrations of the Church are celebrated at St. Josaphat Church, with weddings, funerals and other liturgies occasionally taking place at the former parish churches (St. John the Baptist and St. Matthew) at the pastor's discretion. Confession is offered weekly before the Saturday vigil Mass.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist — at St. Josaphat Church
- Penance — Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM
- Weddings and funerals — primarily at St. Josaphat; may be scheduled at the occasional-use churches
Buildings, Sites & the Church Renovation Project
At its founding the parish inherited four sites comprising 12 buildings across Carrollton and Zilwaukee. St. Josaphat Church is the parish church; St. John the Baptist Church and St. Matthew Church remain 'for occasional use.' A Church Renovation Project has meant that, for a period, all liturgies are held at the St. John Paul II Parish Center at 3055 Harrison Street.
- Parish church: St. Josaphat Church, 469 Shattuck Rd.
- Parish office: 479 Shattuck Rd.
- Parish Center (used during renovation): 3055 Harrison St.
- Former parishes retained for occasional use: St. John the Baptist, St. Matthew
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish encourages visitors to find out what the community is all about and to get involved in any of its ministries, commissions, councils or social organizations. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Phone: 989-755-0828
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: 479 Shattuck Rd., Saginaw, MI 48604
- Website: http://www.stjohnpauliicc.org/
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Vicariate 3, Diocese of Saginaw
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Sister Christine A. Gretka, CSJ2014–2019
Pastoral Administrator; appointed by Bishop Cistone when the merger was first decreed; led the parish through its formation and naming.
- Rev. Ronald Wagner2019–2020
Served as pastor/administrator in the transition before Father Rutkowski's arrival.
- Rev. William J. Rutkowski2020–present
Current pastor.