About St. Joseph the Worker · Wyoming, Michigan
St. Joseph the Worker (San José Obrero) is a Roman Catholic parish in Wyoming, Michigan, belonging to the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Originally founded in 1887 as a Dutch church and later shaped by an Italian immigrant community, today the parish is a vibrant, predominantly Hispanic (Latino) faith community. All weekend Masses are celebrated in Spanish, and Sunday Masses are also livestreamed from the church via Facebook. The parish is pastored by Fr. José Luis Quintana and shares a religious education program with neighboring St. John Vianney parish.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. Joseph the Worker
- Rector
- Rev. José Luis Quintana
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Joseph the Worker offers a welcoming, Spanish-speaking Catholic home for families in the Wyoming and greater Grand Rapids area, with three weekend Masses in Spanish (and Saturday Mass livestreamed on Facebook) plus Saturday confessions. The parish invests in the next generation through a home-based religious education program for First Communion, Confirmation, and infant baptism, and brings the community together through groups like the Knights of Columbus (Caballeros de Colón). With affordable sacramental preparation, a bilingual parish identity, and a pastor and deacon who clearly serve the Latino faithful, it is a natural fit for Spanish-speaking Catholics looking for spiritual home and fellowship.
Mass times at St. Joseph the Worker
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (also by appointment)
About St. Joseph the Worker (San José Obrero)
St. Joseph the Worker is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, located at the corner of Buchanan Avenue and 32nd Street in Wyoming, Michigan. According to the parish's own 'Nuestra iglesia' page, the church is 'llena de gente de todas culturas' (full of people of all cultures), gathered around the altar to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Saturday Mass at 5 PM is bilingual, and the two Sunday Masses (9 AM and 11 AM) are celebrated in Spanish. The parish's office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00) and on Sundays from 10 AM to 1 PM.
- Worship site: 225 32nd St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49548
- Business/mailing address: 3138 Birchwood Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI 49548
- Phone: 616-456-7982
- Pastor: Fr. José Luis Quintana
Parish History
St. Joseph the Worker was established in 1887, according to the Diocese of Grand Rapids. A 2008 MLive article reports the parish was 'founded in 1889 as a Dutch church' and later took on an Italian character before becoming, by the late 2000s, 'nearly 100 percent Hispanic.' The parish worshiped at 333 Rumsey St. SW for more than 120 years before outgrowing its 225-seat sanctuary. In November 2007 the Diocese of Grand Rapids purchased the former Godwin Heights Christian Reformed Church at 225 32nd St. SW for $423,500, and the parish relocated there in 2008, with capacity rising to about 400. Local artist Jose Narezo designed a new altar cross, and most statues and stained-glass windows were carried over from the old building.
- Founded 1887 (per Diocese of Grand Rapids); 1889 per MLive coverage
- Original parish: 333 Rumsey St. SW, Wyoming
- Current worship site since 2008: 225 32nd St. SW, Wyoming
- Parish identities over time: Dutch → Italian → predominantly Hispanic/Latino
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently served by Fr. José Luis Quintana as pastor, with Deacon Carlos Gutierrez assisting in ministry. The Diocese of Grand Rapids' parish directory lists Fr. José Luis Quintana as pastor. A parish blog attributed to 'Deacon Carlos' reflects regular Spanish-language preaching and reflections from the deacon. The diocesan bishop during this period was Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, who in a parish-posted letter outlined his pastoral priorities: revitalizing parishes under the 'Our Faith Our Future' plan, supporting Catholic schools, the New Evangelization, and the permanent diaconate.
- Pastor: Rev. José Luis Quintana
- Deacon: Carlos Gutierrez
- Diocese: Grand Rapids (Bishop David J. Walkowiak)
Religious Education (Educación Religiosa)
St. Joseph the Worker runs its religious education program jointly with neighboring St. John Vianney parish. The parish's COVID-era statement explained that, lacking the personnel and technology for virtual classes, the program moved into a home-based model emphasizing parents as the first teachers of the faith. Registration forms are available at the church entrance and at the parish office.
- First Communion preparation: children ages 7–9, already baptized
- Confirmation preparation: youth ages 13–16, already baptized and having received First Communion
- Baptism preparation for children under 7: parents and godparents use a workbook
- Book cost: $25 per set; registration deadline October 1
Sacraments
The parish's published sacramental information focuses on Baptism for young children, with three requirements: a $100 fee, the child's birth certificate, and proof of attendance at the pre-baptismal class for parents and godparents. Older children prepare for First Communion (ages 7–9) and Confirmation (ages 13–16) through the parish's home-based religious education program.
- Baptism (Bautismo) for children under 6 — $100, plus pre-baptismal class
- First Communion — ages 7–9
- Confirmation — ages 13–16
- Confession — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
Parish Groups and Ministries
The parish's published groups include the Knights of Columbus (Caballeros de Colón), whose contact is Raymond Cummings and which meets the second Sunday of each month at 2:30 PM. Religious education and the family-based sacramental prep program function as the parish's main faith-formation ministry, and Sunday Masses are regularly livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page to reach parishioners who cannot attend in person.
- Caballeros de Colón — contact Raymond Cummings, (616) 889-3452; meetings 2nd Sunday of the month at 2:30 PM
- Religious Education — shared with St. John Vianney parish
- Sunday Mass livestream via Facebook
Prayer and Devotions
The parish website features a 'Prayer in Time of Pandemic' (Oración en Tiempo de Pandemia), a Spanish-language prayer asking God for eternal rest for the dead, comfort for mourners, healing for the sick, peace for the dying, strength for healthcare workers, wisdom for leaders, and courage to reach out to all in love. The parish's blog also includes Deacon Carlos's reflections on the Sundays of Lent and Easter, and announces the annual Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday through the Resurrection on the following Sunday.
- Prayer in Time of Pandemic — Spanish/English prayer posted on parish website
- Lenten reflections on the parish blog (Deacon Carlos)
- Sunday Mass livestreamed on Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Steven Cronup to 2008 (and earlier)
Pastored the parish during its move from 333 Rumsey St. SW to the former Godwin Heights Christian Reformed Church at 225 32nd St. SW in 2008; spoke publicly about the parish's demographic shift to a nearly 100% Hispanic congregation.
- Rev. José Luis Quintanacurrent
Current pastor; named on the parish website and Diocese of Grand Rapids parish page.