About St. Mary Magdalen · Kentwood, Michigan
St. Mary Magdalen is a Roman Catholic parish in Kentwood, Michigan, belonging to the Diocese of Grand Rapids and serving the community since 1956. The parish is led by Fr. Peter G. Vu and is known for its strikingly international congregation, drawing Catholics of African, Asian, Latin American, and European heritage together for worship, formation, and fellowship. Worship offerings include four weekend Masses, weekday Masses Monday through Friday in the chapel, Saturday confessions, and monthly First Friday adoration, alongside a robust calendar of faith formation, youth ministry, music, outreach, and cultural events such as the Parish Festival and Lunar New Year celebration.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Mary Magdalen
- Rector
- Rev. Peter G. Vu
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalen is a welcoming, truly international Catholic family where African, Asian, Latin American, and European Catholics pray and celebrate together. The parish offers four weekend Masses, daily Mass Monday through Friday in the chapel, Saturday confessions, First Friday adoration, and a full faith-formation and youth ministry program, supported by a dedicated music department including a children's choir. Its commitment to service runs from a monthly Mobile Food Pantry with Feeding America West Michigan and a community garden supplying the local food pantry, to sponsorship of a sister parish in Haiti, alongside beloved community traditions like the annual Parish Festival, Lunar New Year celebration, Garden Club, and Vacation Bible School.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
About St. Mary Magdalen Parish
St. Mary Magdalen is a parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids that has served Kentwood, Michigan since 1956. Fr. Peter G. Vu, who has been pastor since 2017, leads a parish he describes as 'truly an international community' where African American, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Congolese, Kenyan, Rwandan, Burundian, Senegalese, Mexican, Colombian, Brazilian, Cuban, and Caucasian Catholics come together for worship and fellowship. The parish describes itself as 'a reconciling, healing family of Christians celebrating life through worship, service and Catholic Formation.'
- Founded 1956, Diocese of Grand Rapids
- Pastor: Rev. Peter G. Vu (since 2017)
- Approximately 1,100 families historically
- Self-description: 'a reconciling, healing family of Christians'
Parish History
The parish was established in 1956 and grew steadily over the following decades. By the early 2010s it served an estimated 1,100 families and was known for stained glass windows dedicated by Bishop Walter Hurley in 2010. In July 2012 the original church was nearly destroyed by a fire that authorities determined was likely caused by fireworks; only the attached family life center classroom area survived. Bishop Hurley assured parishioners the church would be rebuilt, and over the next two years the parish planned and constructed a new worship building, repurposing several salvaged items from the fire so that 'a little of our history' remains visible on campus.
- 1956 — parish established in Kentwood, Michigan
- 2010 — stained glass windows dedicated by Bishop Walter Hurley
- July 2012 — devastating fire; fireworks determined as likely cause
- 2012–2014 — parish rebuilt; salvaged items repurposed in new structure
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary Magdalen spans children, youth, and adults. Michelle Mason serves as the Administrative Assistant / OCIA Coordinator and is the contact for most sacramental preparation questions. Confirmation is a two-year journey typically beginning in 8th grade, with candidates required to attend the Middle School Retreat, the Confirmation Immersion Retreat, and to complete Christian Service hours alongside choosing a sponsor.
- Director of Faith Formation (current staff listed on parish site)
- Coordinator of Youth & Young Adults / High School Faith Formation
- Two-year Confirmation prep for 8th–9th graders
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for unbaptized adults and those completing Initiation
- Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist preparation
- Vacation Bible School in August
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptism includes a preparation experience covering the history, theology, symbols, and ritual of the sacrament; godparents and parents participate. Marriage preparation requires contact with the parish at least six months in advance, formal Pre-Cana classes, and the parish welcomes couples seeking Marriage Convalidation. Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites are available on call to parishioners and non-parishioners alike.
- Baptism — preparation class required; contact Michelle Mason
- Reconciliation (First Reconciliation preparation)
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation (with retreat and service-hour requirements)
- Marriage — 6-month notice, Pre-Cana; Convalidation welcomed
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites on call
Music & Liturgy
The parish maintains a talented and dedicated Music Department that supports four weekend Masses and a flexible Holy Day schedule to accommodate working parishioners. A Children's Choir sings about once a month, delighting the congregation, and Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 9 AM and 11 AM Sunday Masses.
- Director of Liturgical Music (staff role)
- Children's Choir — sings monthly
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 9 AM and 11 AM Masses
- Flexible Holy Day Mass schedule for working families
Outreach, Charity & Community Life
St. Mary Magdalen lives its faith through visible service to the wider Kentwood community. The parish partners with Feeding America West Michigan to host a monthly Mobile Food Pantry, supports a sister parish in Haiti, runs a Community Garden that supplies the local food pantry, and keeps a Chicken Coop on campus that brings smiles to children and adults alike. Pastoral staff also visit the homebound, sick, and dying to bring Holy Communion and respond to calls for Last Rites.
- Free Mobile Food Pantry — last Saturday of the month (drive-thru at 9:00 AM)
- Sister-parish sponsorship in Haiti
- Community Garden supporting the local food pantry
- Chicken Coop on parish grounds
- Homebound Ministry / Ministry of the Elderly and Grieving
- Christian Services / Volunteering and Social Services
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, deacon, and a lay staff team overseeing faith formation, youth ministry, music, Christian services, administration, and facilities. Fr. Peter G. Vu has been pastor since 2017. The Staff page on the parish website lists current members; older bulletins and the diocese list Deacon Mike Wood among parish clergy.
- Pastor: Rev. Peter G. Vu ([email protected], ext. 100)
- Deacon: Dcn. Mike Woods
- Director of Faith Formation (Casey Keller per current staff page)
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry (Brandy Holt per current staff page)
- Minister to the Homebound: Sr. Mai-Thi Do
- Director of Liturgical Music (Emily Rushmore per bulletin; staff page current)
- Parish Secretary: Laura Moore (ext. 107)
- Office Manager: Lauro 'Larry' Cadorniga (ext. 102)
- Administrative Assistant / OCIA Coordinator: Michelle Mason (ext. 112)
- Coordinator of Christian Services / Volunteers: Ruth Bush (ext. 106)
- Building & Grounds Keeper: Phil Martin
Community Events & Cultural Life
Faith at St. Mary Magdalen is celebrated as much in the parish hall and garden as in the sanctuary. The annual Parish Festival and Lunar New Year celebration draw hundreds of participants and reflect the parish's cultural diversity. A Garden Club welcomes families, and Vacation Bible School is held each August.
- Annual Parish Festival
- Annual Lunar New Year celebration
- Garden Club for families
- Vacation Bible School (August)
- Parish Retreats and Prayer Events
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is located at 1253 52nd St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508, and can be reached at (616) 455-9310 or [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed at all liturgies and community events.
- Address: 1253 52nd St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
- Phone: (616) 455-9310; Fax: (616) 455-4139
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Website: https://stmmagdalen.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/stmarymagdalen