About St. Martha · Okemos, Michigan
St. Martha Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Okemos, Michigan, canonically established on Pentecost Sunday 1988 by Bishop Kenneth J. Povish of the Diocese of Lansing. The community worships at 1100 West Grand River Avenue and operates a co-embedded parish school (preschool through 8th grade). Its current pastor is Father Ryan Riley, the parish's third pastor, who took over leadership in July 2023. The parish lives by a mission of 'Walking together in Word and Sacrament,' sharing the redeeming love of Christ through faith, hope, and charity, with five stated values: Christ-Centered, Lifelong Faith Formation, Service, Hospitality, and Authenticity.
- Established
- 1988
- Patron
- St. Martha (New Testament, patron saint of cooks and hospitality)
- Rector
- Father Ryan Riley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
St. Martha offers a complete Catholic life in one parish community: three Sunday Masses plus daily Mass, a robust OCIA process (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) for adults and children, and a parish school serving preschool through 8th grade with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the 4-year-old program. Active outreach includes the St. Martha Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (serving Meridian Township and Okemos), Martha's Meals (a meal-train ministry inspired by the patron saint of hospitality), and a very active Knights of Columbus Council 10006. The parish combines traditional liturgy — with a schola and children's choirs — with ministries for every age and stage of life, all on a single 18-acre campus in Okemos.
Mass times at St. Martha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday: following 8:20 AM Mass until all are heard
- Wednesday: 6:45 – 7:15 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration in the Creation Chapel, every Friday of the year)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM Mass, followed by Adoration until 7:30 PM Benediction
Parish History and Founding
St. Martha Parish was canonically established on Pentecost Sunday, 1988 by Bishop Kenneth J. Povish, who appointed Father Jonathan W. Wehrle as founding pastor on June 29 of that year. The first Mass was celebrated on July 3, 1988 in the Okemos High School Auditorium. The Diocese purchased the eighteen-acre site of the former Crest Drive-In Theater — described by the parish as 'an act of redemption' — and after controversy with Meridian Township officials, the former concession stand was converted into a daily Mass chapel and dedicated on March 1, 1989. Ground was broken in April 1990 for the church and religious education wing, and the $2.8 million structure was prepared for its first liturgy on Palm Sunday, 1991.
- Canonically established Pentecost Sunday, 1988 by Bishop Kenneth J. Povish
- Founding pastor: Rev. Jonathan W. Wehrle, appointed June 29, 1988
- First Mass: July 3, 1988 in Okemos High School Auditorium
- Drive-in concession stand converted to daily Mass chapel, dedicated March 1, 1989
- Church groundbreaking April 1990; first liturgy Palm Sunday 1991 ($2.8M structure)
Mission, Vision, and Values
St. Martha's published mission is 'Walking together in Word and Sacrament' — the Catholic community of Saint Martha shares the redeeming love of Christ through acts of faith, hope, and charity. Its vision is that, as the love of God is poured into hearts through Word and Sacrament, the parish educates and forms faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, welcoming and serving those around them.
- Christ-Centered: a sacred environment to grow in holiness and meet Jesus in Word, Sacrament, and prayer
- Lifelong Faith Formation: an abiding love of God and a deeper relationship with Him
- Service: following the example of Saint Martha in serving brothers and sisters in Christ
- Hospitality: welcoming all with God's universal love and mercy
- Authenticity: honesty and integrity in accordance with Catholic teaching
Clergy and Parish Staff
The current pastor is Father Ryan Riley, the parish's third pastor, who officially took leadership in July 2023. Father Mike Murray remains In Residence providing Sacramental assistance. Two deacons — Deacon Jim Collom (OCIA Coordinator) and Deacon Dave Drayton (Outreach Ministries) — assist with Mass and ministry. A vibrant lay staff supports the clergy in operations, faith formation, music, communications, and administration.
- Father Ryan Riley — Pastor
- Father Mike Murray — In Residence
- Deacon Jim Collom — Deacon, OCIA Coordinator
- Deacon Dave Drayton — Deacon, Outreach Ministries
- Kimberly Keefe — Director of Operations
- Gregg Alchin — Facilities Manager
- Tony Andorfer — Director of Music and Liturgy
- Jackie Rosalez — Director of Faith Formation (also Director of Children's Choirs)
- Joey DiMenno
- Cynthia Farnsworth
- Andrea Patton — School Principal
- Cheryl Olsen — Administrative Assistant
- Monica Amoroso — Communications Assistant
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
St. Martha celebrates three Sunday Masses — Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM and Sundays at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 5:00 PM — plus weekday Masses. Confession is offered Saturday afternoon, after most morning Masses, and on Wednesday evenings. The parish maintains Friday all-day Eucharistic Adoration in the Creation Chapel and offers the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick on first Saturdays.
- Weekend Mass: Saturday 5 PM; Sunday 8 AM, 10 AM, 5 PM
- Weekday Mass: Mon/Thu/Fri 8:20 AM; Tue 8:20 AM (Sept–June); Wed 6 PM
- Confession: Sat 3:30–4:30 PM; Mon/Thu/Fri after morning Mass; Wed 6:45–7:15 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Friday 9 AM – 9 PM (Creation Chapel)
- Wednesday Adoration follows 6 PM Mass until 7:30 PM Benediction
- Anointing of the Sick: first Saturdays after 5 PM Mass
St. Martha Parish School
Saint Martha School is a parish school serving preschool through 8th grade on the same campus as the church. Opened by Father Wehrle in 1993 (the preschool in January, K–4 in August of that year), the school was initially staffed by the Sisters of Charity from Cincinnati. A 2018 addition added classrooms, a gym, a library, a computer room, a preschool room, a conference room, and additional storage. Current principal is Andrea Patton. The school uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (a Montessori-based religious formation) in its 4-year-old program.
- Preschool through 8th grade on the parish campus
- Current principal: Andrea Patton
- Catholic tuition rate: $1,500 per student per year (active parishioner rate)
- Kids Corner after-school care: 3:30–6:00 PM, plus morning care 7:20–7:50 AM
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the 4-year-old preschool program
- 3-year-old program: Tuesday/Thursday mornings; multiple scheduling options for 4-year-olds
- Past principals: Sister Marie Pauline, S.C.; Helen Hillman; Francie Herring; Elizabeth Snow; Monica Dowell
Faith Formation and OCIA
The parish's Faith Formation and Discipleship ministry offers formation for all ages, directed by Jackie Rosalez. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) process, led by Deacon Jim Collom, welcomes adults, teens, and children age 7 and older who are discerning becoming Catholic — whether never baptized or baptized in another Christian tradition. Adult sessions are typically held twice a month on Thursday evenings; teen and children's sessions meet twice a month on Wednesdays.
- Adult OCIA: usually two Thursday evenings per month, 7:00 PM, September–May
- Teen OCIA: 2-year program; usually 2 Wednesdays per month, 6:30–8:00 PM (yearly tuition $100)
- Children's OCIA (age 7+): 2-year program; family catechesis model with parent participation
- Inquiry Day annually in August (no commitment required to explore)
- Director of Faith Formation: Jackie Rosalez
- OCIA Coordinator: Deacon Jim Collom
Liturgical Ministries
St. Martha enlists a variety of lay liturgical ministers, coordinated through Cheryl Olsen and scheduled via Ministry Scheduler Pro. The parish specifically seeks more help and notes that the liturgy — especially the Mass — is the most profound place to encounter the loving Father.
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God at liturgy (training provided)
- Sacristans — set up altar, vessels, Lectionary, assist priest before/after Mass and at weddings/funerals
- Altar Servers — boys and girls in fourth grade or older; training in fall and spring
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — distribute at Mass and bring Communion to nursing homes, hospitals, and the homebound
Outreach, Charity, and Fellowship
St. Martha operates several outreach ministries serving the local Okemos and Meridian Township community. The parish's patroness, St. Martha — patron saint of cooks and hospitality — inspires Martha's Meals, a short-term meal support ministry ('meal train') for parishioners experiencing illness, welcoming a new baby, or facing challenging times. The parish also has an active Knights of Columbus council.
- Martha's Meals — meal-train ministry; contributions can be home-cooked or gift cards/delivery
- Knights of Columbus Council 10006 (Grand Knight: Johnathan Drushel-Smith)
- Council meetings: 2nd Wednesdays General Membership, 4th Wednesdays Officers, 7:30 PM in the Bl. Solanus Casey Room
- Council website: https://okemoskofc.org
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — St. Martha Conference
Parishioners form the St. Martha Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with a mission to help people within parish boundaries who find themselves in temporary, typically one-time need. Conference members visit the family or individual to verify the need and determine the type and amount of assistance. The Conference cooperates with the St. Vincent de Paul Store in Lansing and the Haslett Food Bank.
- Serving Meridian Township and Okemos
- Council meetings: 2nd and 4th Sundays after 10 AM Mass (Sept–May); once per month in summer
- Meetings held in the Bl. Solanus Casey Room
- Support: SVdP fund in online giving, designated envelopes, or lock boxes by the votive candles in the Narthex
- Partner organizations: St. Vincent de Paul Store (Lansing) and Haslett Food Bank
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed Fridays from the last Friday in June through the first Friday in August). The school office is open 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM with summer hours varying. Online services let visitors register as parishioners, request an infant baptism, request a godparent letter of good standing, or request a sacramental record. Masses are livestreamed at https://st-martha.org/watch.
- Parish Office: 1100 West Grand River Avenue, Okemos, MI 48864
- Phone: 517-349-1763 (Parish) / 517-349-3322 (School) / Text 517-258-1450
- Email: [email protected]
- Online: register as parishioner, request baptism, godparent letter, sacramental record
- Mass livestream: https://st-martha.org/watch
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jonathan W. Wehrle1988–2017
Founding pastor; appointed by Bishop Povish on June 29, 1988; celebrated first Mass July 3, 1988; built church, opened school, led parish for ~29 years.
- Father Mike Murray2017–2023
Second pastor; announced retirement early 2023; returned to provide Sacramental assistance in September 2023.
- Father Ryan Riley2023–present
Third pastor; officially became pastor in July 2023.