About St. Michael · Sterling Heights, Michigan
St. Michael Catholic Community is a Roman Catholic parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan, belonging to the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Central Macomb Vicariate. Officially established on March 13, 1975, the parish worships at 40501 Hayes Road in a circular brick church designed by Rosetti & Associates of Detroit and dedicated in 1978. Quaine (since 2004) and Associate Pastor Fr. Artemio (Tim) Galos, supported by Deacon Franz Hoffer and a full staff of ministry and office personnel. The community is known for its active ministries in Christian Service, Education, Music, Worship, Stewardship, and Parish Council, and for partnerships with organizations like the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and Habitat for Humanity.
- Established
- 1975 (officially designated parish); worship began November 17, 1974
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Fr. Arokiaselvam Nithiyaselvam
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Central Macomb Vicariate)
Why belong here
St. Michael Catholic Community is a warm, mid-sized Macomb County parish that explicitly centers its life on the practice of hospitality and gospel values. A wide range of active ministries — Christian Service, Education, Music, Parish Council, Stewardship, and Worship — plus the FLT (Families Learning Together) religious education program, RCIA, Bible study, and adult enrichment make it easy to find a place to belong. The parish also reaches outward through partnerships with the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, Krafter's Korner, Parish Nurses, and a Seniors group, giving parishioners concrete ways to serve neighbors near and far.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 3:00 PM (per the parish FAQ)
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at 586-247-0020
- No private confessions on Holy Saturday
Welcome & Mission
St. Michael Catholic Community describes itself as a welcoming parish where people come together to worship, learn, and grow in faith. Through their actions, parishioners demonstrate their beliefs in fellowship, service, and the generous tithing of time, talent, and treasure, while empowering one another to take a more active role in the mission of the Church. Pastor Fr. Mike Quaine invites visitors to experience a community grounded in gospel values and the practice of hospitality. The parish is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit and, together with the greater Church community, seeks to build the Kingdom of God.
- Pastoral greeting from Fr. Mike Quaine on the homepage
- Open invitation to participate in worship, formation, and service
Parish History
St. Michael's history begins in early 1974 with the founding of a new parish community, and continues today as one of the established Catholic parishes of the Central Macomb Vicariate. Key moments include the first liturgy at Wyandot Middle School on November 17, 1974; official designation on March 13, 1975 by Cardinal John Dearden; groundbreaking in 1977; dedication in 1978; the 1987–1988 addition of the Social Hall completing the circular building; the 1993 purchase of the former Macomb Christian Church as an Activity Center; and the 2015 dedication of the Fr. Larry Jackson Youth Center.
- Early 1974 – parish establishment process begins
- November 17, 1974 – First Liturgy at Wyandot Middle School
- March 13, 1975 – Officially designated St. Michael Parish by Cardinal Dearden
- September 1976 – Rosetti & Associates retained as architects
- July 17, 1977 – Groundbreaking at 40501 Hayes Road
- October 21, 1978 – Church dedication by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
- 1987/1988 – Parish offices and Social Hall added (building becomes a circle)
- 1993 – Acquisition of former Macomb Christian Church as St. Michael Activity Center
- April 2000 – Activity Center renamed in Fr. Larry's honor
- August 2014 – Activity Center closed and sold
- September 2015 – Fr. Larry Jackson Youth Center dedicated
Our Patron — St. Michael the Archangel
The name Michael means "Who is like God" — a question that, in Christian tradition, is a triumphant challenge to the fallen. The parish teaches that the name is a daily reminder to its members that they are called to be a community of God, pursuing the perfection of the heavenly Father. The Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael is celebrated on September 29.
- Patron: St. Michael the Archangel
- Feast Day: September 29
- Theme: 'Be perfect even as my heavenly Father is perfect' (Mt 5:48)
Central Macomb Vicariate
St. Michael Catholic Community is part of the Central Macomb Vicariate Pastoral Council, which includes the Catholic churches of Centerline, Clinton Township, Harrison Township, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights, and Warren.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Detroit
- Vicariate: Central Macomb
Staff Directory
The parish is served by a Pastor, an Associate Pastor, a Deacon, a Music Minister, a Christian Service Minister, a Director of Religious Education/FLT and Youth Ministry Coordinator, a Bookkeeper, an Administrative Assistant, and Parish Secretaries. Staff can be reached through the main office number 586-247-0020.
- Pastor — Fr. Michael W. Quaine
- Associate Pastor — Fr. Artemio (Tim) Galos
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. Franz Hoffer
- Music Minister — Don Daher (586-566-4485)
- Christian Service Minister — Claudia Welbes (586-566-4494)
- Director of Religious Education / FLT & Youth Ministry Coordinator — Michelle Hayes (586-566-4487)
- Bookkeeper — Ann Altomare (586-566-4491)
- Parish Secretary — Kathy Chadick (586-566-4486)
- Parish Secretary — Rosanne Stepien (586-566-4486)
- Administrative Assistant — Liz Hunsanger
- Bulletin Editor, Religious Education Secretary & Grade Level Planner — Anna DiCicco
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Michael offers a full Faith Formation program for all ages. Children from preschool through high school participate in FLT (Families Learning Together), the parish's family-style religious education program. Adults can grow through Bible Study (offered both Tuesday evenings 7:00–8:30 PM and Wednesday mornings 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, September through May), periodic Adult Enrichment Presentations by Fr. Mike, and the RCIA process for those seeking to join the Catholic Church.
- FLT: Families Learning Together (preschool through high school)
- Bible Study — Tuesday evenings 7:00–8:30 PM
- Bible Study — Wednesday mornings 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult Enrichment Presentations by Fr. Mike
Music & Liturgy
Music Ministry is led by Music Minister Don Daher and includes multiple ensembles that rehearse weekly and serve at Sunday liturgies and special services. The Music page invites instrumentalists and singers of all experience levels to join, with periodic cantor workshops offered throughout the year.
- 9:45 Classical Choir — rehearses Wednesdays 7:00–9:00 PM, sings at 9:45 AM Sunday Mass during the school year
- Handbell Choirs — Youth, Beginner Youth, and Adults; rehearsals Wednesdays
- Cantor program — periodic workshops; 7th grade through adult
- Resurrection Choir — sings at funerals as available
- Instrumentalists — welcomed, especially for Christmas Eve Mass
Sacristan Ministry
The Sacristan Ministry engages men and women who prepare the altar for liturgical celebrations. Sacristans are assigned primarily to one of the weekend Masses once or twice a month and set up the altar 20–30 minutes before Mass begins.
- Contact: Deacon Franz Hoffer, [email protected] or 586-566-4494
- Typically serves one weekend Mass once or twice a month
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council, equally responsible with all the faithful for the work of the apostolate, provides guidance and direction for the parish community. The Council plans, studies, coordinates, and supports the educational, temporal, and apostolic programs of the parish, and works to discover and use the talents and abilities of parishioners. Members are selected each year on Pentecost by lot after nominations are made. The Council meets September through June on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Social Hall, and all parishioners are welcome to attend.
- Chairperson: Tom Mittelstaedt
- Vice Chairperson: Matthew Nawrocki
- Secretary: Nancy Tourville
- Christian Service Commission: Pauline Saltsman
- Education Commission: Maureen Ortwein
- Worship Commission: Ann McKenzie
- Finance Council: Mike Bradford
- Evangelization Committee: Robert Murphy
- Youth Representative: Michael Nawrocki
- Coffee/Donuts Coordinator: Virginia Chadwick
- Parish Council Voicemail: 586-566-4499, x5005
Organizations & Outreach
St. Michael Catholic Community supports a number of parish organizations and outreach partners. Each September the parish holds a 'Festival of Ministries' to invite new volunteers and re-commit current ones; parishioners can fill out a discipleship form and return it to the parish office at any time.
- Krafter's Korner
- Habitat for Humanity
- Knights of Columbus
- Parish Nurses
- Seniors group
- St. Vincent de Paul
Contact & Office Information
Parishioners and visitors can contact the parish office by phone, mail, or in person. The Main Office and the FLT/Religious Education Office keep separate hours, and the Parish Council has its own voicemail extension.
- Address: 40501 Hayes Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313
- Main Office: 586-247-0020
- FLT / Religious Education: 586-247-0098
- Fax: 586-247-4081
- Parish Pastoral Council Voicemail: 586-566-4499, x5005
- Main Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- FLT/Religious Education Office Hours: Monday–Thursday (closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lawrence J. (Larry) Jackson1974 – 2004 (Senior Status granted June 30, 2004)
Founding pastor. Celebrated the first parish liturgy on November 17, 1974 at Wyandot Middle School; led construction of the church (dedicated 1978) and the parish's growth across three decades. The Activity Center was renamed the Fr. Lawrence J. Jackson Activity Center in April 2000 to mark his 40th anniversary to the priesthood, and the Fr. Larry Jackson Youth Center was dedicated in September 2015 in his honor.
- Rev. Michael W. (Mike) Quaine2004 – present
Second pastor; began assignment July 1, 2004. Currently serves the parish and is the public face of St. Michael Catholic Community.