About St. Luke University Parish · Jenison, Michigan
St. Luke University Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Georgetown Township (mailing address Jenison), Michigan, serving as the Catholic campus ministry to Grand Valley State University and as a territorial parish for the surrounding Allendale community. Founded in 2007 by the Paulist Fathers and originally staffed by them for a decade, the parish was returned to diocesan pastoral care on June 30, 2017. Today it is led by Fr. Robert C. Mulderink as pastor, with a dedicated FOCUS missionary team and an active campus ministry program known as Laker Catholic. Its mission is to be 'a missionary outpost to college students at Grand Valley State University, that every student at GVSU, and every person in the Allendale area, would be brought to know Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.'
- Established
- 2007
- Patron
- St. Luke
- Rector
- Rev. Robert C. Mulderink
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Luke University Parish combines the warmth of a small, family-oriented parish with the energy of a college campus ministry. Whether you are a GVSU student looking for authentic Catholic community — through Laker Catholic Nights on Thursdays, retreats like Fall Retreat, Spring Retreat, and SEEK, small-group Bible studies, and a team of FOCUS missionaries — or a local resident seeking a vibrant Sunday Mass schedule (Saturday 5 PM; Sunday 8:30, 10:30 AM, and 5 PM; Tuesday–Friday 5:30 PM) with daily confession, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for all ages, and ministries from altar serving to Meals for Moms, St. Luke's has a place for you.
Mass times at St. Luke University Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday–Friday: 5:00–5:30 PM (before daily Mass)
- Tuesday: 6:00–9:00 PM (during Eucharistic Adoration, 3rd week of August through April)
- Tuesday: 6:00–8:00 PM (during Adoration, May through 2nd week of August)
- Saturday: 9:00–9:45 AM
- By appointment with Fr. Rob
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:00–9:00 PM (3rd week of August through April)
- Tuesday: 6:00–8:00 PM (May through 2nd week of August)
- Wednesday–Friday: 9:00–10:00 AM (3rd week of August through April)
- Glory to Glory Nights: student-led praise & worship during Tuesday night Adoration every three weeks
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Luke University Parish is the Catholic home for Grand Valley State University students and for residents of the Allendale / Georgetown Township area. The parish describes itself as 'a missionary outpost to college students at Grand Valley State University, that every student at GVSU, and every person in the Allendale area, would be brought to know Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.' It serves both as a territorial parish and as the official Catholic campus ministry of GVSU.
- Mission: bring every GVSU student and Allendale-area resident to know Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church
- Diocese: Grand Rapids — West Deanery, Ottawa County
- Established: 2007
- Worship site: 10144 42nd Ave, Georgetown Twp., MI 49428
- Mailing address: 10144 42nd Ave, Jenison, MI 49428
History of St. Luke
The parish was founded in 2007 by the Paulist Fathers to serve the more than 5,000 Catholic students at GVSU. Its first Mass was celebrated on September 23, 2007 by Fr. Brad Schoeberle, C.S.P., and Fr. Don Andrie at Allendale Christian School, where 170 people showed up. In 2017 the parish moved into a newly constructed permanent church building designed by Integrated Architecture, and in the same year the Paulist Fathers returned pastoral care to the Diocese of Grand Rapids effective June 30, 2017. Fr. Robert C. Mulderink currently serves as pastor.
- 2007 — First Mass celebrated by Fr. Bradford Schoeberle, C.S.P., and Fr. Don Andrie
- 1984 — Diocese purchases 10.1-acre future site at Lake Michigan Drive & 60th Avenue
- 2017 — Permanent church building completed
- June 30, 2017 — Paulist Fathers return pastoral care to the Diocese of Grand Rapids
- Founding pastors: Fr. Brad Schoeberle, C.S.P.; Fr. Don Andrie; Fr. Chuck Cunniff, C.S.P.
- First territorial parish opened in the Diocese of Grand Rapids since 1979
Our Staff
The parish staff includes clergy, administrative, faith formation, music, development, and housekeeping roles, as well as four FOCUS missionaries embedded in the campus ministry team.
- Fr. Rob Mulderink — Pastor
- Zach Gonring — Campus Minister
- Kristen Zacek — Director of Faith Formation
- Kim Thomas — Administrative Assistant
- Andre Klaes — Development Director
- Shawnda Draeger — Director of Sacred Music
- Alex O'Sullivan — Faith Formation Assistant
- Rosa Mancilla — Housekeeping
- FOCUS Missionaries: Justin Sulak (3rd Year / Team Director), Abbey Heinrichs (2nd Year), Ryan Korby (2nd Year), Katrina Aljets (1st Year)
Parish Councils
Two lay councils assist in the governance and pastoral life of the parish.
- Pastoral Council: Rick Polanic (Chair), Dawn Hildebrand, Noah Felicioni, Evan Macauley
- Finance Council: Amy Wolf, Matthew Curtis, Maureen Pluger, Ethan Ruffing, Dwayne Thomas, Alyssa Brown
Sacraments
St. Luke's prepares parishioners and students for the Sacraments of Initiation, Marriage, and ongoing spiritual care. Baptism and Confirmation preparation include guides, registration forms, and OCIA for adults.
- Infant Baptism — Sacramental Guide, Child Registration Form, Godparent Form; contact Kristen Zacek
- Adult Baptism & Confirmation — through OCIA
- Marriage — minimum 6 months of preparation; contact Kim Thomas at (616) 895-2247
- Confirmation (youth) — preparation through Faith Formation
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment with Fr. Rob
Campus Ministry: Laker Catholic
Laker Catholic is the official Catholic campus ministry at GVSU, run out of St. Luke University Parish. It blends community, prayer, Scripture, and adventure for the hundreds of Catholic students at GVSU. The team is led by Campus Minister Zach Gonring alongside four FOCUS missionaries.
- Laker Catholic Nights — Thursdays 8:00–10:00 PM
- Fall Retreat (October), Spring Retreat (March), SEEK Conference (January)
- Small-group Bible studies throughout the week
- FOCUS Missionary team for one-on-one mentoring
- Email list for college-student connection
- Culture of Life outreach
Parish Ministries
The parish offers training and ongoing support for a wide range of liturgical and pastoral ministries. Contact Kim Thomas at [email protected] or (616) 895-2247 to get involved. Liturgical Ministry Coordinator: Ethan Ruffing ([email protected]).
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Sacristans
- Ushers / Ministers of Hospitality
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (open to young men and women; training provided)
- Music Ministry (Director of Sacred Music: Shawnda Draeger)
- Homebound Ministry (Communion to homebound and hospitalized)
- Meals for Moms (meals for families with new babies)
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Luke's serves children, youth, and adults preparing for or deepening their life in the sacraments. The Director of Faith Formation is Kristen Zacek, supported by Faith Formation Assistant Alex O'Sullivan. Adult inquirers enter the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
- Infant Baptism preparation
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation for youth
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion
- Bible studies and small groups for ongoing formation
Outreach & Community
Beyond campus ministry, the parish serves the wider Allendale and Georgetown Township community through food assistance and a culture-of-life commitment.
- Food Pantry — 2nd Thursday of each month, open to all GVSU students/faculty and Allendale residents
- Respect Life / Culture of Life initiatives
- Homebound and hospital visits through the Homebound Ministry
- Meals for Moms — practical support for new parents
Architecture & Facilities
The permanent St. Luke campus was completed in 2017 and was designed by Integrated Architecture with engineering by JDH Engineering. The campus consists of a chapel and a separate three-suite rectory, built primarily of wood-framed construction. The chapel's steep-pitched iconic roof and exposed wood and steel trusses are visible through the large exterior windows, and polished concrete floors and abundant natural light give the space a warm, modern feel. A moveable wall panel system reconfigures the worship space from daily Mass up to 400 seats on weekends and holy days. Adjacent rooms convert to classrooms, dining, and event space.
- Chapel: ~13,500–14,000 sq ft, flexible worship for 400
- Rectory: ~3,300–4,000 sq ft, three suites
- Total project: ~$6 million
- Materials: glass, wood, concrete; exposed wood and steel trusses
- Awards: AIA Grand Rapids Building Honor Award; People's Choice Award
Plan Your Visit
St. Luke's welcomes visitors, students, and returning parishioners to its parish home just south of the GVSU Allendale campus. Mass is offered daily, with multiple Sunday options; confession is available before every daily Mass and during Tuesday evening adoration; adoration runs weekly. The parish office is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 AM–5 PM and Wednesday 9 AM–12 PM (closed Mondays).
- Address: 10144 42nd Ave, Georgetown Twp., MI 49428
- Phone: (616) 895-2247
- Emergency line: (616) 485-6787
- Office email: [email protected]
- Sign up for Flocknote for parish email updates
- College students are encouraged to join the Laker Catholic email list
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bradford Schoeberle, C.S.P.2007–2017
Founding pastor; Paulist Father who arrived from Los Angeles in August 2007, celebrated the first Mass on September 23, 2007, and helped shepherd the parish through construction of its permanent church building and the transition of pastoral care back to the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
- Rev. Robert C. Mulderink2017–present
Current pastor; took over diocesan pastoral care of the parish when the Paulist Fathers returned it to the Diocese of Grand Rapids on June 30, 2017.