About St. Perpetua · Waterford, Michigan
St. Perpetua Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Waterford, Michigan, part of the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Northwest Lakes 2 Family of Parishes within the Lakes Vicariate. The parish was canonically established on June 24, 1964, dedicated that December by Cardinal John Dearden, and continues to serve more than a thousand registered families at 134 Airport Road. Today it is led by Rev. Paul Graney, Moderator of the parish, with a supporting team of priests and a Director of Religious Education running faith formation, sacramental prep, RCIA/OCIA (including Spanish), and a family of parish ministries.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. Perpetua (early Christian martyr, patroness of mothers)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Graney (Moderator / Pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Lakes Vicariate; Northwest Lakes 2 Family of Parishes; Northwest Region)
Why belong here
St. Perpetua is a 60-year-old Waterford parish with deep roots — 35 of its original 305 founding families are still registered — and a reputation for being welcoming, generous and faithful. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confessions, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, an active family-faith catechesis program with Spanish-speaking support, a Bible study and intercessory prayer group, plus outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus Council 13600, and the Daughters of Isabella. Visitors frequently comment that the parish feels like an 'open church' where people quickly make it their home.
Mass times at St. Perpetua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (in the church)
- Private confessions by appointment with Fr. Paul Graney — [email protected] or (248) 682-6431
Adoration times
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (followed by 7:00 PM Mass)
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM in the Chapel
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
St. Perpetua offers a full weekly Mass schedule in English, with a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Friday, and a Thursday evening Mass that follows Eucharistic Adoration. The parish office publishes Holy Day and holiday Mass times separately on its website.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM
- Weekday Masses: Mon–Wed 9:00 AM, Thu 7:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM
- Holy Day Masses: 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM (see website for current schedule)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Perpetua's Faith Formation program is led by Alyson Mejia, Director of Religious Education and Christian Service Coordinator. Beginning recently the parish moved from a traditional once-a-week catechism model to a Family Faith model recommended by the Archdiocese of Detroit for parishes with fewer than 100 children — the whole family attends a monthly session together, then completes lessons at home on their own schedule. Sacramental prep for First Eucharist and Confirmation follows a tandem, once-a-month class added on top of regular family faith sessions.
- Family Faith model for grades K-8
- First Eucharist & Confirmation sacramental preparation (monthly tandem class)
- OCIA / RCIA in English and Spanish
- Christian Service outreach coordinated through the DRE office
- Contact: Alyson Mejia — 248-972-2488
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Perpetua is pastored by Rev. Paul Graney, who serves as Moderator of the parish, and is supported by an extended team of priests in solidum and weekend supply as part of the Northwest Lakes 2 Family of Parishes. The Faith Formation office is staffed by a bilingual DRE who also coordinates Christian Service.
- Rev. Paul Graney — Moderator / Pastor
- Rev. Socorro Fernandes, S.A.C. — Full-Time Priest Support
- Rev. Wayne Ureel — Weekend Priest Support
- Rev. Joseph Kirkconnell — Priest in Solidum
- Rev. Placido Pereira, M.S.F.S. — Priest in Solidum
- Rev. Tomy Kattikanayil, M.S.F.S. — Priest in Solidum
- Alyson Mejia — DRE / Christian Service Coordinator
Parish History
St. Perpetua was canonically established on June 24, 1964 under founding pastor Fr. Bernard J. Zaglaniczny. Ground was broken July 26, 1964, and Cardinal John Dearden dedicated the new parish on December 19, 1964 in time for Christmas. A new church building replaced the original in 1983. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2014 with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron concelebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving on August 17, 2014.
- Established: June 24, 1964
- Dedicated: December 19, 1964 by Cardinal John Dearden
- New church dedicated: 1983
- 50th anniversary Mass: August 17, 2014 with Archbishop Vigneron
- Founding pastor: Fr. Bernard J. Zaglaniczny
Pastor Succession
Over its 60-year history, St. Perpetua has been served by a small succession of pastors. The current pastor, Rev. Paul Graney, leads the parish in a shared governance model under the Archdiocese of Detroit's Family of Parishes structure.
- Fr. Bernard J. Zaglaniczny — founding pastor (1964)
- Fr. John German — second pastor (d. 1988)
- Fr. Richard Rakoczy — 13 years as pastor, retired July 2008
- Fr. Jack Baker — pastor from 2008; led 50th anniversary
- Rev. Paul Graney — current Moderator/Pastor
Ministries, Outreach & Community Life
St. Perpetua's ministries span faith formation, prayer, fellowship, and direct service to those in need. The parish is supported by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus Council 13600, the Daughters of Isabella, and a Fourth Degree Knights assembly named for Fr. Vincent Capodanno. The community is known for sending pilgrims to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. and for regular volunteer support of a local soup kitchen.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Knights of Columbus Council 13600
- Daughters of Isabella
- Fourth Degree Knights — Fr. Vincent Capodanno Council
- Intercessory Prayer Group & Bible Study
- March for Life pilgrimage
- Soup kitchen outreach
- Parish mission / ecumenical events
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, weddings, anointing of the sick, and adult initiation (OCIA/RCIA) are coordinated through the parish office with Fr. Paul Graney. First Eucharist and Confirmation preparation follow the parish's family-faith model plus a monthly tandem sacramental class.
- Baptism — by appointment with Fr. Paul Graney
- First Eucharist & Confirmation — family-faith + monthly class
- Matrimony — by appointment with Fr. Paul Graney
- OCIA / RCIA — English and Spanish
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the parish office
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Perpetua by phone, email, or in person during office hours. The parish is located on Airport Road in Waterford Township with free on-site parking. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a midday lunch closure from 12:00 to 12:30 PM.
- Address: 134 Airport Rd., Waterford, MI 48327
- Phone: (248) 682-6431
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (closed 12:00–12:30 PM for lunch)
- Free on-site parking
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernard J. Zaglaniczny1964 (founding)
Founding pastor; led the building of the original church dedicated by Cardinal Dearden on Dec. 19, 1964.
- Fr. John Germansecond pastor
Died of cancer in 1988; remembered fondly by the parish.
- Fr. Richard Rakoczyretired July 2008 (13 years as pastor)
Present at the 50th anniversary celebration; credited with leaving the parish financially solid.
- Fr. Jack Baker2008 – circa 2014+
Led the 50th anniversary celebration in 2014 with Archbishop Vigneron.
- Rev. Paul Graneycurrent
Current Moderator/Pastor; oversees RCIA, confessions, and parish life.