St. Michael's Catholic Church

Parish Overview

St. Michael's Catholic Church in Coopersville, Michigan is a parish of the Diocese of Grand Rapids serving the West Deanery of Ottawa County. With roots reaching back to the 1850s as a Catholic mission in the Dennison settlement, it serves more than 345 registered families today and is clustered with St. Mary's Parish in Marne under a single pastor, Fr. Michael G. Hodges. The parish describes itself as 'a family challenged by Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to care for others and to become the Body of Christ, through worship, hospitality and service.'

Our History

Catholic life in Coopersville began in the 1850s when settlers in the logging community of Dennison were visited at home by mission priests on horseback. The first church was built in 1882 on land acquired from Martin Culligan and dedicated in 1888. Through the 20th century the community grew from a mission of Grand Haven, to a mission of St. Mary's Marne (1924), and finally to a full parish on June 15, 1950 under Msgr. Charles A. Salatka. The present church was dedicated in 1988 during the parish's centennial year.

• 1850s — Early Catholic community forms in Dennison
• 1882 — Land acquired from Martin Culligan; first church construction begins
• 1888 — Wood-frame church dedicated (named for patron saint of Fr. Michael Dalton)
• 1895 — Horse barn built for Mass-goers arriving by carriage
• 1901 — Leo Hall built (named for Pope Leo XIII); demolished in 1987
• 1902–1928 — Interurban electric railroad runs past the parish
• 1924 — Becomes a mission of St. Mary's, Marne
• 1950 — Formally raised to parish status under Msgr. Salatka
• 1962 — St. Michael's School opens with 140 students on September 6
• 1988 — Current church dedicated; former worship space becomes Salatka Family Center & Gym
• 2009 — Sanctuary renovation: new roof, stained-glass windows, Altar & Ambo (built by Tony Brown)
• 2012 — Clusters with St. Mary's, Marne

Our Team

St. Michael's is served by a pastor, two deacons, and a parish staff who coordinate worship, faith formation, business, and liturgical life. Fr. Michael Hodges leads the parish together with Deacons Beki Rotman and Tom Roberts.

• Fr. Michael Hodges — Pastor
• Deacon Beki Rotman
• Deacon Tom Roberts
• Cliff Kozminski — Parish Secretary
• Todd Kline — Business Manager
• Debbie Veneklase — Director of Religious Education (DRE) & RCIA Director
• Kevin Kilpatrick — Liturgical Minister / Pastoral Council member

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at St. Michael's spans early childhood through adult, coordinated by Director of Religious Education Debbie Veneklase. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 8:30 Mass for ages 3–9 (September–May, free of charge). Elementary classes for 1st–5th grade meet Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM, while middle-school students (6th–8th grade) and Confirmation candidates meet Sundays 9:45–11:15 AM. First Holy Communion is typically received in 2nd grade in May, in conjunction with Wednesday evening classes.

• Children's Liturgy of the Word — ages 3–9 during 8:30 Sunday Mass
• Elementary Faith Formation — Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM (grades 1–5)
• Middle School Faith Formation — Sundays 9:45–11:15 AM (grades 6–8)
• Confirmation Prep — Sundays 9:45–11:15 AM
• First Holy Communion preparation — 2nd grade, received in May
• Parishioner fees: $75 for one child, $100 for two or more (catechist/aide discounts available)
• Contact: Debbie Veneklase, childrensministrysaintmichaels.us

Adult Faith Formation & RCIA

Adults seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith or to come into full communion with the Church are served by the parish's RCIA program under Debbie Veneklase. The parish also runs the Word on Fire video-based adult faith formation series, accessible through the parish's Word on Fire page.

• RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Word on Fire — video-based adult faith formation
• Welcome outreach to new Catholics and visitors

Ministries & Organizations

St. Michael's offers a broad menu of lay ministries so parishioners can serve according to their gifts, time, and stage of life. Opportunities range from liturgical roles (altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, choir) to parish-life groups (Knights of Columbus, Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Greeters) to outreach ministries such as Angel Cooks (meal ministry to families facing illness or hardship) and the Disciples of St. Mary and St. Michael, focused on assisting senior adult parishioners.

• Altar Servers (3rd grade and older)
• Eucharistic Ministers (16 and older)
• Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers, Gift Bearers
• Adult Choir (Christmas & Easter) and Children's Choir (Christmas)
• Musicians and Instrumentalists
• Rosary Leaders, Prayer Line
• Linen Cleaning, Seasonal Decorating, Grounds Maintenance
• Knights of Columbus
• Pastoral Council and Finance Council
• Angel Cooks meal ministry (contact Carolyn Johnson, 616-837-8036)
• Disciples of St. Mary and St. Michael (senior adult outreach)
• SCRIP gift-card program (tuition / fees)
• Word on Fire Team

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments on a regular schedule and by appointment. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are prepared for in 2nd grade; Confirmation preparation runs through middle school; adult initiation proceeds through RCIA. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation; families should contact the office for baptism.

• Baptism — contact parish office
• First Holy Communion — 2nd grade, received in May
• Confirmation — Sunday classes 9:45–11:15 AM
• Reconciliation — Wed & Fri 12:30–1:30 PM; Sat 3:00–3:45 PM; or by appointment
• Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the parish office
• Marriage — contact parish office for preparation

Parish Council & Leadership

Pastoral Council members are selected by the pastor and discern with him how the parish can best carry out the mission of Christ in the world. The Finance Council serves as primary consultant to the pastor in financial matters and helps formulate policies and procedures for effective management of parish assets.

• Pastoral Council members: Pete Nielsen, Kevin Kilpatrick, Karen Helsen, Wade Lindberg, Zach Nelson, Amber Nelson
• Finance Council includes Ken (and Rick Weigel among others)

St. Michael's School

St. Michael's School opened on September 6, 1962 with 140 students, staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis who lived in a new convent built alongside the four-classroom school. The school has been an integral part of the parish's ministry to families in the Coopersville area for more than 60 years.

• Opened September 6, 1962 with 140 students
• Originally staffed by Sisters of St. Francis living in an adjoining convent

St. Michael's Cemetery

St. Michael's Cemetery was developed adjacent to the home that has served continuously as the parish rectory, providing a historic resting place for generations of Coopersville-area Catholic families.

• Located adjacent to the parish rectory

Contact & Visit

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or the contact form on the website. The worship site is located at 17150 88th Avenue in Coopersville and is fully handicapped accessible. Fr. Mike is available on Wednesdays and Fridays at St. Michael's, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Mary's (Marne); for after-hours emergencies, dial ext. 102.

• Address: 17150 88th Avenue, Coopersville, MI 49404-9413
• Phone: 616-384-4026 (after-hours emergencies: ext. 102)
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://saintmichaels.us/
• All buildings are handicapped accessible