About St. John Vianney · Saginaw, Michigan
St. John Vianney Parish is a Catholic community located at 6400 McCarty Road in Saginaw, Michigan, serving the faithful of Vicariate 3 within the Diocese of Saginaw. Established in 1979, the parish is led by Pastor Fr. Christian F. Tabares and Parochial Vicar Fr. Suman Kondaveeti, supported by a secretary, bookkeeper, music director, communication specialist, maintenance staff, and lay council leaders. The parish gathers for weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, with a Wednesday noon Mass and weekly opportunities for private confession and Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- St. John Vianney (Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, the Curé d'Ars)
- Rector
- Rev. Christian F. Tabares
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
St. John Vianney offers a close-knit Catholic community in the Saginaw area with multiple weekly Mass opportunities, regular private confession, and Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays. The parish is led by a pastor and parochial vicar supported by dedicated staff and lay leaders in music, communications, finance, and maintenance, and it has just completed a major renovation of its Parish Center through the 'Building a Brighter Future' campaign. Worship is enriched by a Music Ministry, and parishioners are encouraged to share their gifts through the Pastoral and Finance Councils.
Mass times at St. John Vianney
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–5:00 pm (private confession)
- Wednesday 11:00 am (with Adoration)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 11:00 am (with private confession)
About St. John Vianney Parish
St. John Vianney Parish is a Catholic community of faith, hope, and love located on McCarty Road in Saginaw, Michigan. According to its Mission Statement, parishioners are 'called together by God and empowered by the Spirit to continue the mission of Jesus on earth' and share 'a common mission of building the kingdom of God.' The parish belongs to Vicariate 3 of the Diocese of Saginaw and is led by a pastor and parochial vicar working alongside a parish secretary, bookkeeper, music director, communication specialist, maintenance team, and lay Pastoral and Finance Councils.
Parish History
St. John Vianney Parish was established on September 28, 1979 by Bishop Francis F. Reh. For its first years the community worshipped in the P.A.C. of SS. Peter & Paul High School, then broke ground on its own Parish Center on May 8, 1982. First services in the new building were held February 5, 1983, with formal dedication by Bishop Kenneth Untener on May 22, 1984. Classrooms, a Gathering Area, and expanded worship space were added for Easter 1996. In 2013 the diocese conducted parish studies under Bishop Joseph R. Cistone, but St. John Vianney remained independent.
- Founded September 28, 1979 by Bishop Francis F. Reh
- Groundbreaking for Parish Center: May 8, 1982
- First Mass in new Parish Center: February 5, 1983
- Dedication by Bishop Kenneth Untener: May 22, 1984
- Classrooms and Gathering Area expansion completed Easter 1996
- Survived 2013 diocesan restructuring as a stand-alone parish
Building a Brighter Future Renovation Campaign
In May 2017 the parish held two Town Hall sessions to discuss renovating the Parish Center, launching the 'Building a Brighter Future for St. John Vianney' capital campaign. The goal was to make the Parish Center a more welcoming and holy place for liturgy and worship. By October 8, 2018, 296 individuals and families had pledged a combined $726,153.80 toward the project.
- Town Hall Sessions held the weekend of May 9, 2017
- Campaign name: Building a Brighter Future for St. John Vianney
- Pledges as of October 8, 2018: $726,153.80 from 296 families
History of Pastoral Leadership
The parish has been served by a succession of priests and, during one period, a Religious Sister Pastoral Administrator, reflecting the Diocese of Saginaw's practice of appointing lay administrators when needed.
- 1979–1988: Rev. John O'Callaghan
- 1988–1997: Rev. Dale Orlik
- 1997–2008: Rev. Loren M. Kalinowski
- 2008–2013: Rev. James Carlson
- 2013–2022: Sr. Janet Pewoski, CSJ (Pastoral Administrator)
- 2022–2026: Fr. Christian Tabares
- 2026–present: Fr. Suman Kondaveeti
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, and a team of lay and maintenance staff, with lay councils guiding parish life.
- Rev. Christian F. Tabares – Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Suman Kondaveeti – Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Bridget Hildner – Secretary ([email protected])
- Natalie Serrato – Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- JoEllen Ennis – Music Ministry ([email protected])
- Alexandria Serrato – Communication Specialist ([email protected])
- Mark Gombar – Maintenance ([email protected])
- Jim Bismack – Maintenance ([email protected])
- Cindy Nash – Pastoral Council Chair
- Sarah Ziegelmann – Finance Council Chair
Parish Office Hours
The parish office is open three days a week for in-person visits and inquiries.
- Monday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mission and Vision
The parish articulates a clear mission and vision that frame its life and ministry.
- Mission: 'We are people called together by God and empowered by the Spirit to continue the mission of Jesus on earth. We are a community of faith, hope, and love, who strengthen and encourage one another and share a common mission of building the kingdom of God.'
- Vision: 'We are committed to growing in Faith together. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we will be the hands of Jesus, continuing His work in our Parish, Community, and the World.'
Vicariate and Diocese
St. John Vianney Parish is a Parish Church in Vicariate 3 of the Diocese of Saginaw.
Address and Contact
The parish is located at 6400 McCarty Road in Saginaw, Michigan, ZIP 48603. Its website is sjvsaginaw.org and it is listed on the diocesan directory at saginaw.org.
- Address: 6400 McCarty Road, Saginaw, MI 48603
- Website: http://sjvsaginaw.org/
- Diocesan listing: saginaw.org/parish/st-john-vianney-parish-saginaw-saginaw
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John O'Callaghan1979–1988
First pastor, served from the parish's founding through 1988.
- Rev. Dale Orlik1988–1997
- Rev. Loren M. Kalinowski1997–2008
- Rev. James Carlson2008–2013
- Sr. Janet Pewoski, CSJ2013–2022
Pastoral Administrator (lay religious appointed by the bishop to oversee pastoral and administrative needs; a separate priest handled the sacraments).
- Fr. Christian Tabares2022–2026
Returned the parish to priestly pastoral leadership.
- Fr. Suman Kondaveeti2026–present
Current pastor per the parish's published leadership timeline.