About St. Joseph · West Branch, Michigan
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in West Branch, Michigan, in the Diocese of Gaylord. Founded in 1879, the parish shares a cluster with Holy Family Catholic Church (Klacking Creek) under a single pastoral team led by Fr. Al Pillarelli and Fr. Shaphan Zirra. Worship is offered in the church at 961 W. Houghton Avenue in downtown West Branch, near the intersection of Houghton Avenue and M-30, with weekend Vigil, Sunday, and weekday Masses, regular confession, Eucharistic adoration, and a long list of lay ministries. The parish welcomes visitors, returning Catholics, and longtime parishioners to celebrate the Mass together.
- Established
- 1879
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Alfred (Al) Pillarelli
- Diocese
- Diocese of Gaylord
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers a warm, traditional Catholic community in the heart of northern Michigan, with three weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil and two Sunday), weekday Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a full calendar of confession, Eucharistic adoration, and OCIA/faith formation. Its cluster arrangement with Holy Family means parishioners are served by two priests plus a lay staff and can plug into more than a dozen active ministries — from Music Ministry and the Choir to Home Bound Ministers, the Prayer Chain, Finance Council, and the Grounds Committee. It's a place where visitors, returning Catholics, and longtime parishioners are openly welcomed to 'attend either of our parishes to celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass with our church family.'
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:30–4:30 PM at St. Joseph
- Tuesday: immediately following Mass at St. Joseph
- Thursday: immediately following Mass at Holy Family (cluster)
- Also available by appointment by calling (989) 345-0064
About St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in West Branch, Michigan, founded in 1879 and part of the Diocese of Gaylord. It shares a cluster partnership with Holy Family Catholic Church in Klacking Creek, operating under one pastoral team and office. The parish welcomes visitors, returning Catholics, and longtime parishioners alike, inviting all to attend either of the two churches to celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass.
- Founded: September 1, 1879
- Diocese: Gaylord
- Cluster partner: Holy Family Catholic Church (Klacking Creek)
- Address: 961 W. Houghton Ave., West Branch, MI 48661
Cluster Staff
St. Joseph and Holy Family share a single staff under the cluster model. The team is led by Pastor Rev. Alfred (Al) Pillarelli and Parochial Vicar Rev. Shaphan Zirra, supported by a Business Manager, Director of Music, and Maintenance Director.
- Rev. Alfred (Al) Pillarelli — Pastor
- Rev. Shaphan Zirra — Parochial Vicar (joined December 2025; ordained for the Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria, July 1, 2011)
- Business Manager
- Director of Music
- Maintenance Director
- Catechist: Sara Andres (faith formation, OCIA, baptism prep) — 989-312-3934
Sacraments
The parish prepares children and adults for the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist — and offers OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults and youth seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. The Catechist, Sara Andres, coordinates the parish's OCIA process and Baptismal Preparation Classes.
- Baptism (children under 7) — register for a Baptismal Preparation Class at (989) 312-3934
- Confirmation & First Eucharist — children's initiation, contact Catechist Sara Andres 989-312-3934
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (unbaptized adults, baptized non-Catholics, baptized Catholics needing Confirmation)
- Youth OCIA — for youth seeking baptism
- Communion to the homebound — by Home Bound Ministers
Parish Ministries
St. Joseph offers a deep bench of lay ministries, all of which parishioners can join by contacting the parish office. From liturgical roles to hospitality and outreach, there are many ways to give of time and talent in the cluster's two parishes.
- Altar Servers
- Arts & Environment (seasonal decorating)
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Finance Council
- Funeral Luncheons
- Greeters at Mass
- Grounds Committee
- Home Bound Ministers
- Lectors
- Linen Service
- Music Ministry (cantor, piano, organ, guitar)
- Offertory Counter
- Prayer Chain
- Sacristan
- Ushers
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Joseph is coordinated by Catechist Sara Andres, who can be reached at 989-312-3934. The parish runs OCIA classes for both adults and youth and offers a Baptismal Preparation Class for parents wishing to baptize children under seven. First Communion and Confirmation preparation continue the initiation of children into the Body of Christ.
- Adult OCIA (unbaptized, baptized non-Catholic, or Catholic needing Confirmation)
- Youth OCIA
- Baptismal Preparation Class
- First Eucharist & Confirmation preparation
- Contact: Sara Andres, 989-312-3934
Music & Liturgy
The Music Ministry is led by a Director of Music who coordinates cantors, pianists, organists, and guitarists for Mass and other liturgical services. Lectors proclaim the Scriptures, Eucharistic Ministers assist in distributing Communion, Sacristans prepare the church for Mass, and Altar Servers (youth who have received Confirmation and First Eucharist) assist the priest at liturgy.
- Director of Music (cluster)
- Cantors, piano, organ, guitar
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Altar Servers
Outreach, Hospitality & Pastoral Care
Beyond the sanctuary, parishioners care for one another and welcome visitors through the Greeters, Ushers, Funeral Luncheons team, Home Bound Ministers, Prayer Chain, and the parish's Arts & Environment and Grounds Committee. The cluster also lists monthly Communion calls at area senior sites.
- Greeters at Mass
- Ushers
- Funeral Luncheons
- Home Bound Ministers (Communion visits)
- Prayer Chain
- Grounds Committee
- Arts & Environment
Contact & Directions
The cluster office serves both St. Joseph and Holy Family. Phone, fax, email, and physical addresses for each parish are listed below.
- Parish office phone: (989) 345-0064
- Parish office fax: (989) 345-8757
- Email — St. Joseph: [email protected]
- Email — Holy Family: [email protected]
- St. Joseph address: 961 W. Houghton Ave., West Branch, MI 48661 (near intersection of W. Houghton Ave. and M-30)
- Holy Family address: 402 W. Peters Rd., West Branch, MI 48661 (1/4 mile east of Campbell Rd. and 3/4 mile west of M-33)