About St. Paul of Tarsus · Clinton Township, Michigan
St. Paul of Tarsus is a Catholic parish in Clinton Township, Michigan, within the Archdiocese of Detroit, serving the northeast Macomb County area. Founded in 1984 by 150 local families who petitioned the Archdiocese for a new church, the parish grew rapidly and now operates from an eleven-acre campus at Romeo Plank and Canal Roads with a worship space seating up to 1,000 people. Under the leadership of pastor Fr. Jim Lopez and Deacon Marc Rybinski, the parish is focused on Word, Eucharist, and providing hope through faith formation, a robust food pantry, Eucharistic adoration, and parish life. Its mission is to be a visible sign of God's Kingdom, welcoming all God's people and offering assistance to those in need through open and loving hearts.
- Established
- 1984
- Patron
- St. Paul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul)
- Rector
- Fr. Jim Lopez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Northeast Region, Northeast Central Macomb 5 Family of Parishes, Central Macomb Vicariate)
Why belong here
St. Paul of Tarsus is a large, growing suburban parish that combines traditional Catholic worship — including daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic adoration on Tuesdays, and Saturday confession — with strong outreach through its Food Pantry & Crisis Outreach serving several Macomb County communities. Families benefit from a dedicated Faith Formation program for children, OCIA for adults, and a Youth Minister on staff, while the parish also maintains a parish library and active Music & Worship ministry. With seating for up to 1,000 and a mission rooted in Word, Eucharist, and service, it's a parish where newcomers can find both vibrant sacramental life and concrete help for those in need.
Mass times at St. Paul of Tarsus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm in church
- Upon request
- Extra Confessions may be scheduled around Holy Days and church celebrations
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 12 noon – 4:00 pm in church
- Tuesday: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm in church
- Tuesday: Exposition 12 noon – 7:00 pm with Benediction at 6:45 pm
- First Saturday of every month: 7:15 am – 8:00 am
Our History
St. Paul of Tarsus was founded in 1984 when 150 local Catholic families petitioned the Archdiocese of Detroit for a new parish in Clinton Township. The Archdiocese designated the area a 'parish in formation' and appointed Rev. Francis A. Zielinski as its founding pastor, dedicating eleven acres at Romeo Plank and Canal Roads. The first Mass was celebrated in July 1984 at Chippewa Valley High School with sixty people in attendance; within two years the parish had grown to over 900 families. A groundbreaking for the new church was held September 27, 1987, and the church was dedicated on March 5, 1989.
- 1984 — Parish founded by 150 petitioning families; first Mass at Chippewa Valley High School
- 1987 — Groundbreaking for new church (Sept. 27)
- 1989 — Church dedicated March 5
- 1990 — Fr. Lou Grandpre appointed pastor
- 2003 — Fr. Ron Essman appointed pastor
- 2006 — Major renovation begins (church reoriented, pews replace chairs)
- 2017 — Fr. Jerry Slowinski appointed; Fr. Essman remains as weekend assistant
- 2018 — Fr. Slowinski's installation Mass on March 13
- 2019–2020 — Faith Formation classrooms, expanded Food Pantry, entrance canopy completed
- 2022 — Fr. John Kiselica becomes pastor (July 1)
- 2024 — Fr. Jim Lopez becomes pastor (July 1)
Parish Mission Statement
We, the Catholic family of Saint Paul of Tarsus, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are a visible sign of God's Kingdom. We welcome all of God's people and offer assistance to those in need. We will do this with open and loving hearts. Our focus is centered on Word, Eucharist, and providing hope; by living our Catholic Faith. We strive to continue the work of Jesus Christ through love, education, and evangelization.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Fr. Jim Lopez (Pastor) with Rev. Mr. Marc Rybinski serving as Deacon. A full parish staff supports the ministries of worship, formation, and outreach.
- Fr. Jim Lopez — Pastor (586-228-1210 x111)
- Rev. Mr. Marc Rybinski — Deacon / Christian Service Coordinator
- Janice Krygowski — Director of Faith Formation
- Monica Thimm — Business Manager (586-228-1210 x116)
- Mary Came — Parish Secretary
- Kathy Andrzejewski — Religious Education Secretary
- Phyllis Bengry — Religious Education Secretary
- Lori Cordell — Youth Minister (586-228-1210 x121)
- Rob Hannigan — Minister of Music & Worship Coordinator
- Joyce Yaklin — Food Pantry Coordinator (586-228-1094)
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Paul of Tarsus offers weekend Masses on Saturday at 4:00 pm and three Sunday Masses at 7:45 am, 9:30 am, and 11:30 am. Weekday Masses are celebrated on Tuesday at 7:00 pm, Wednesday at 8:30 am, and Thursday at 8:30 am. The parish also maintains a robust schedule of Eucharistic adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 pm
- Sunday Masses: 7:45 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am
- Tuesday Mass: 7:00 pm
- Wednesday Mass: 8:30 am
- Thursday Mass: 8:30 am
- Saturday Rosary: 3:15–3:45 pm
- Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration: 12 noon – 7:00 pm with Benediction at 6:45 pm
- Tuesday Confessions: 5:30 – 6:30 pm in church
- First Saturday Adoration: 7:15 – 8:00 am
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is a lifelong ministry at St. Paul of Tarsus. The Religious Education office (586-228-6651) coordinates catechesis for children, OCIA for adults seeking initiation, and ongoing Adult Faith Formation sessions to deepen parishioners' understanding of Catholic teaching, prayer, and sacraments. In 2019–2020 the parish added dedicated classrooms to support this growing program.
- Children's Religious Education (K–8)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult Faith Formation sessions
- Protecting God's Children / VIRTUS safe-environment training required for ministry volunteers
- Contact: Religious Education Office at 586-228-6651
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the Sacraments of Initiation, Healing, and Vocation according to the ordinary rites of the Roman Catholic Church. Baptisms are scheduled on the third Sunday of the month at 1:00 pm, with required preparation on the first Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Confessions are heard Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm and on request, with additional times around Holy Days. The Anointing of the Sick and home/hospital visits are arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism — 3rd Sunday at 1:00 pm; prep 1st Tuesday at 7:00 pm (Janice, [email protected])
- Reconciliation — Tuesdays 5:30–6:30 pm and by request
- Eucharist — see Mass schedule
- Anointing of the Sick / Home & Hospital visits — contact parish office
- OCIA — for adults exploring the Catholic faith
Food Pantry & Crisis Outreach
The St. Paul of Tarsus Food Pantry is one of the parish's signature outreach ministries. Walk-in service is available three days a week from the north entrance (door #8). Clients may visit once a month and must bring valid ID for everyone in the household; the pantry follows standard registration policies and closes when Chippewa Valley Schools close for inclement weather.
- Hours: Monday 10:00 am–12:00 pm; Wednesday 12:00–2:00 pm; Thursday 10:00 am–12:00 pm
- Phone: 586-228-1094 (Coordinator Joyce Yaklin)
- Service area: Clinton Twp, Harrison Twp, Mt. Clemens, Fraser, Sterling Heights (48312 & 48313), Macomb (48044)
- Walk-in service through north door #8
- Visits limited to once per month; valid ID required
- Expanded in 2019–2020 construction project
Music & Worship
The parish's Music & Worship ministry, coordinated by Rob Hannigan, supports the Sunday and weekday liturgies in the renovated sanctuary that seats up to 1,000 people. The ministry is one of the parish's named staff areas and welcomes musicians and singers who wish to serve at Mass.
- Minister of Music & Worship Coordinator: Rob Hannigan
- Supports Saturday Vigil, Sunday, and weekday Masses
- Liturgical music in renovated sanctuary seating up to 1,000
Youth & Adult Ministries
Beyond Faith Formation, the parish maintains a dedicated Youth Ministry coordinated by Lori Cordell and ongoing Adult Faith Formation to help parishioners grow spiritually through every stage of life. Volunteers in most ministries are required to complete Protecting God's Children / VIRTUS training and a background check.
- Youth Ministry — Lori Cordell, 586-228-1210 x121
- Adult Faith Formation — Religious Education office, 586-228-6651
- OCIA — for adults discerning the Catholic faith
- Safe-environment training (Protecting God's Children) required for volunteers
Parish Outreach & Service
In addition to the Food Pantry, parishioners are active in a number of local service efforts coordinated through Christian Service.
- Habitat for Humanity
- Semi-Annual Blood Bank
- Home and Hospital visits
- Christian Service coordination — Deacon Marc Rybinski
Parish Library
The parish library is open to parishioners during parish office hours and on weekends.
- Monday: 1:00–4:30 pm
- Tuesday–Thursday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
- Saturday: 3:00–5:30 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am–1:00 pm
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone, email, or in person during office hours. E-Giving is handled through WeShare; assistance is available through the Business Manager.
- Parish Office: 586-228-1210
- Religious Education: 586-228-6651
- Food Pantry: 586-228-1094
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://spotcatholic.org/
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:30 pm; Fri closed; Sat 3:00–5:30 pm; Sun 7:30 am–1:00 pm
- E-Giving via WeShare — contact Monica Thimm at [email protected] or 586-228-1210 x116
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis A. Zielinski1984–1990
Founding pastor; led the parish from its formation through the dedication of the new church in 1989.
- Father Lou Grandpre1990–2003
Succeeded Father Zielinski; served until his retirement in 2003.
- Father Ron Essman2003–2017
Appointed in 2003; began the 2006 renovation that reoriented the church and replaced chairs with pews. Retired in 2017 but remained as weekend assistant.
- Father Jerry Slowinski2017–2022
Installed March 13, 2018; retired in June 2022.
- Father John Kiselica2022–2024
Became pastor July 1, 2022; retired April 2024.
- Fr. Jim Lopez2024–present
Became pastor on July 1, 2024.