About St. Linus · Dearborn Heights, Michigan
St. Linus Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, in the northern part of the city, belonging to the Archdiocese of Detroit. Founded in 1956 on what was once a swampy, open field, the parish grew rapidly with the surrounding subdivisions and today serves over 1,300 registered families. Its mission is centered on the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit, with a commitment to discipleship in Jesus Christ through liturgy, prayer, education, sacraments, and service to neighbors in need. The parish operates a school (St. Linus Catholic School) and a wide array of faith formation, music, liturgical, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Linus (Pope Linus, immediate successor to St. Peter)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick M. Stoffer, OFM Conv.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Linus is a large, multi-generational parish of more than 1,300 families that has proclaimed the Gospel from the same Dearborn Heights campus for nearly seventy years. A parishioner or visitor finds a full sacramental and devotional life — daily Mass, Saturday reconciliation, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, a TV-broadcast Sunday Mass — alongside a robust Catholic school, family faith formation, RCIA, a Children's Liturgy of the Word, and a deep music ministry with children's, handbell, and liturgical choirs. The Christian Service Commission channels the parish's outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, the parish food pantry, Right to Life, Knights of Columbus, and ongoing service to the homebound, local nursing homes, St. Leo Soup Kitchen, and Manna House in Detroit.
Mass times at St. Linus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (October through June), followed by Benediction at 6:00 PM
Parish History
St. Linus Parish was founded in 1956 on the northern edge of what would become Dearborn Heights, when Fr. Maurice Veryser saw a swampy open field bordered by the unpaved Hass and Gulley roads. The first Mass was celebrated two days after the site visit, at Haston Jr. High School (now Fairlane Christian Academy), and the original multi-purpose church was dedicated on October 27, 1957. Growth was explosive through the 1950s and 1960s: a school wing (1958), a Bernadine Sisters' convent (1960), two more school additions, and the current rectory (1964). A major renovation under Frs. Kenneally and Romano culminated in Bishop Schoenherr's rededication on October 26, 1980, with a new Eucharistic Chapel and Bell Tower. Fr. Bob LaCroix's tenure from 2003 brought a drastic remodel to the present-day interior, and Fr. Paul Ballien became the ninth pastor in July 2011.
- Founded 1956 by Fr. Maurice Veryser
- Church dedicated October 27, 1957
- Rededication and blessing of Eucharistic Chapel & Bell Tower: October 26, 1980, by Bishop Schoenherr
- Nine pastors over nearly 70 years; current pastor Fr. Patrick M. Stoffer, OFM Conv.
- Over 1,300 registered families
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Linus Parish understands formation in the faith as life-long. Religious Education is overseen by a Director of Religious Education (Donna Stachulski / Shannon Pryce), with Family Faith classes meeting twice each month — families gather once a month and students attend an additional monthly session. Tuition is $85 per student for parishioners and $150 for non-parishioners; families must be practicing Catholics and registered at St. Linus. Sacramental preparation is offered for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Holy Matrimony. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass for children in grades 1–5, who are dismissed with a blessing to Room #104.
- Family Faith (Family Formation) — twice monthly
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation
- Baptism preparation for parents and godparents
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (grades 1–5) at 11 AM Mass
- Adult Formation — Bible studies, prayer opportunities, First Friday Adoration
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA process at St. Linus welcomes adults who are asking whether there is more to life than what they can see, hear, or touch. Participants come to understand the meaning of life, the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and how to come to know Jesus through the Catholic Church. Classes meet each Thursday from September to Easter at 6:00 PM. The parish also offers classes for adult Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation.
- Thursdays, September through Easter, 6:00 PM
- Contact: [email protected] or 313-212-2431
St. Linus Catholic School
St. Linus Catholic School's mission is to form young people as disciples of Jesus Christ, equipped to bring His light into the world. The school lived out gospel values of Respect, Excellence, Discipleship, Holiness, Academic Achievement, Wisdom, and Kindness. Enrollment declined from approximately 220 students in 2019 to 75 in the most recent year; after embracing a microschool model two years ago, the parish has announced that the school will close at the end of the current academic year. Families have been invited to a Catholic schools fair on March 10, and Archdiocese of Detroit tuition assistance applications transfer to students' future Catholic schools.
- Principal: Christine Lee
- Secretary: Yvonne Zmudczinski
- School phone: (313) 274-5320
- Closing at end of current academic year; microschool model adopted two years prior
- Enrollment declined from ~220 (2019) to 75
Music & Liturgy
Music is central to worship at St. Linus. The Director of Music and Liturgy is Jeanne Maria Laframboise. The Children's Choir, for grades 3–6, rehearses on Tuesdays after school (3:15–4:30 PM) and sings monthly at the 11:00 AM Family Mass and at School Masses. The Handbell Choir (two octaves) rehearses Tuesdays 5:30–6:30 PM from mid-September through Pentecost and plays at one Sunday Mass per month plus special liturgies. A beginning Cherub Choir for grades K–2 is coming soon. Cantors assist the assembly by singing hymns and psalm verses; instrumentalists with high-school-level proficiency are welcome to play at Mass.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Jeanne Maria Laframboise
- Children's Choir (grades 3–6) — Tuesdays 3:15–4:30 PM
- Handbell Choir — Tuesdays 5:30–6:30 PM
- Cherub Choir (grades K–2) — coming soon
- Cantors and Instrumentalists
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers), Sacristans, Art & Environment volunteers, and through the Video Ministry. Any registered parishioner who has celebrated Confirmation and is a practicing Catholic in good standing may be considered for Eucharistic Minister ministry after training. Additional opportunities include School Masses, homebound visits, and service at local hospitals and nursing homes.
- Lectors (trained, workbook provided)
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Sacristans (one per Mass)
- Art & Environment
- Video Ministry
Christian Service Commission & Outreach
The Christian Service Commission coordinates the parish's charitable outreach and includes representatives from Christian Women, Knights of Columbus, Parish Council, St. Vincent de Paul, Hospitality Committee, Legislative Advocacy, Right to Life, Moms of Teens & Tweens, Catholic Order of Foresters, Food Committee, and the Men's Club. The Outreach Ministry visits a local nursing home each week for a scripture service and Communion, and First Friday EM visits take the Eucharist to the homebound. The St. Vincent de Paul conference helps neighbors with food, clothing, and counseling, participates in St. Leo's Soup Kitchen and St. Patrick's Senior Center, prepares 130 Christmas food baskets, and collects clothing and toys for families in need. The Food Committee runs the parish food pantry. The Right to Life representative supports local centers assisting pregnant women. The Hospitality Committee plans meals for parish events and an annual volunteer recognition celebration.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Friends of the Poor Walk (September), casino fundraiser (spring)
- Food Committee / parish food pantry
- Outreach Ministry — nursing home and homebound visits
- Manna House — Thanksgiving dinners in Detroit
- Right to Life — Life Chain and support for pregnancy centers
- Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, Catholic Order of Foresters fundraisers
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptism preparation classes are offered for parents and godparents; children in second grade typically receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist; Confirmation preparation takes place in sixth and seventh grades. Adults enter the Church or complete their sacraments through RCIA. Couples preparing for marriage should contact Fr. Patrick M. Stoffer at [email protected] or the parish office.
- Baptism — preparation for parents and godparents
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (6th–7th grade)
- Marriage preparation — Fr. Patrick M. Stoffer
- RCIA for adults and adult Confirmation preparation
Parish Staff & Contact
Parish life is supported by a full complement of staff and volunteers. Fr. Patrick M. Stoffer, OFM Conv. serves as Pastor, with Deacon Jerry Schiffer as Pastoral Associate overseeing Christian Service. The Business Manager is Fred Morath, Office Manager Barb Farrugia, Bookkeeper Michele Wood, Facilities Coordinator John Farrugia, and Bulletin Editor Dave Zmudczynski. The Religious Education Office (313-274-5778) is led by Director of Religious Education Shannon Pryce (previously Donna Stachulski). The Director of Music and Liturgy is Jeanne Maria Laframboise. Maintenance is handled by Ed Robinson and Mike Robinson.
- Pastor: Fr. Patrick M. Stoffer, OFM Conv. — ext. 102
- Pastoral Associate: Deacon Jerry Schiffer — ext. 104
- Business Manager: Fred Morath — ext. 103
- Director of Religious Education: Shannon Pryce — (313) 274-5778
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Jeanne Maria Laframboise — ext. 105
- Parish Office: (313) 274-4500 — Fax: (313) 562-2821
- Religious Education Office: (313) 274-5778
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9–4, Sat 12–4, Sun 10–12:30
Families of Parishes
St. Linus participates in the Archdiocese of Detroit's Families of Parishes initiative, a collaborative model in which parishes across a region share resources and work together in mission. The parish's Families of Parishes page is published on the official site.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Maurice Veryser1956–1961
Founding pastor; led the development of the parish from a swampy field to a dedicated church (1957), school (1958), and convent (1960).
- Rev. Paul Hennes1961–1969
Oversaw rapid 1960s expansion: school additions, rectory, convent addition; retired in 1969.
- Rev. Edmund Schwager1969–1973
Succeeded Fr. Hennes; first St. Linus Parish Council was elected during his tenure.
- Rev. James Kenneally1973–1979
Formed the 1977 committee of 13 parishioners at the Vitale home that planned the major church renovation.
- Rev. Joseph Romano1979–1991
Continued the renovation work; Fr. Timothy Murray later joined him as co-pastor.
- Rev. Lawrence Delonnay1991–1995
Relocated parish offices to the south wing of the school building.
- Rev. Randall Phillips1995–2003
Seventh pastor; reinstituted Bible Study and parish missions; expanded outreach to soup kitchens, hospice, and Manna House.
- Rev. Bob LaCroix2003–2011
Eighth pastor; oversaw the drastic remodel of the church to its present appearance.
- Rev. Paul Ballien2011–
Ninth pastor; took the parish into its third millennium of Christianity.
- Rev. Patrick M. Stoffer, OFM Conv.Current
Current pastor (as of recent parish communications); oversees religious education, marriage prep, and parish life.