About St. Regis · Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
St. Regis Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Founded in 1962 (with roots as a mission in 1959), the parish is named after St. John Francis Regis, the 17th-century French Jesuit missionary. St. Regis is recognized for its strong worship community of more than 1,000 parishioners and its parish elementary school serving around 500 students. The parish's mission is to be a caring community of missionary disciples of Jesus through worship, education, and service to all people.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. John Francis Regis
- Rector
- Fr. John Dudek (priest in solidum, primarily serving St. Regis within the West Maple Family of Parishes)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Regis offers a thriving parish community of more than 1,000 people and an elementary school at capacity of 500 students, all in a setting the pastor describes as a 'healing community that meets people where they are at.' Whether you seek a place of worship, a quality Catholic education, or a spiritual touchstone, parishioners find many ways to get involved through Christian service, faith formation for children and adults, music and liturgy ministries, and outreach that extends from Bloomfield Hills to Metropolitan Detroit and around the globe. The parish welcomes anyone curious about joining the Catholic Church and offers a robust RCIA program alongside ministries such as Stephen Ministry, the Immigration Circle of Support, the Giving Tree, and Respect Life.
Mass times at St. Regis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (in the chapel)
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Regis Catholic Parish strives to be a caring community of missionary disciples of Jesus through worship, education, and service to all people. For nearly 60 years the family of St. Regis Catholic Parish has helped people to center their lives on Jesus Christ. The parish welcomes parishioners, members of the school community, those thinking about joining either, or anyone wanting to know more about this Bloomfield Hills community. Fr. John Dudek, priest in solidum for St. Regis, describes the community as 'authentic, relatable, hospitable and supportive' and 'a healing community that meets people where they are at.'
- Mission: worship, educate, serve
- More than 1,000 parishioners
- About 500 students in the parish school
- West Maple Family of Parishes member
Parish History
St. Regis began as a mission of Birmingham's Holy Name Parish in 1959. The parish was formally established June 19, 1962 by Cardinal John Dearden and named after his patronal saint, St. John Francis Regis. Over six decades the parish grew through the leadership of six pastors, expanded its facilities (rectory 1963, convent 1964, church 1968, activities center 1969, chapel 2016), and extended outreach locally and internationally. The 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2012, the 60th in 2022–23, and the parish entered the 'Family of Parishes' model in July 2022.
- 1959 – Origin as mission of Holy Name, Birmingham
- 1962 – Established as a parish by Cardinal Dearden
- 1968 – Current church built
- 2012 – 50th anniversary; junior high transformed into academy program
- 2015 – Church renovation completed
- 2016 – New chapel completed and blessed
- 2022 – 60th anniversary year; entered West Maple Family of Parishes
Founding Pastor and Pastoral Succession
The succession of pastors has shaped the parish's identity. Founding pastor Fr. Thomas Shields cultivated the 'spirit of the family of St Regis' and oversaw construction of key facilities. Each subsequent pastor built on that foundation — Fr. Daniel Murphy developed outreach and refugee support; Fr. Norman Nawrocki led long-range planning and international mission outreach; Msgr. Charles Kosanke initiated the pastoral planning process and the Changing Lives Together campaign; Fr. David Buersmeyer guided the parish to financial stability and implemented 'Unleash the Gospel'; and Fr. John Dudek currently serves as the primary priest connected to St. Regis.
- Fr. Thomas Shields (1962–1978)
- Fr. Daniel Murphy (1979–1999)
- Fr. Norman Nawrocki (1999–2011)
- Msgr. Charles Kosanke (2011–2016)
- Fr. David Buersmeyer (2016–2023)
- Fr. John Dudek (2023–present)
West Maple Family of Parishes
In July 2022 St. Regis joined St. Owen, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, and Holy Name parishes to form the West Maple Family of Parishes. Under this model no one priest is the sole pastor; all priests of the family are appointed as a team in solidum, collectively pastoring all four parishes under the leadership of a Moderator. Msgr. John Zenz was named the Moderator for the West Maple Family. Each priest has primary responsibility for one parish but the team meets regularly to work on greater collaboration across the family.
- St. Regis
- St. Owen
- Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
- Holy Name
- Moderator: Msgr. John Zenz
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
St. Regis prepares parishioners for the sacraments through age-appropriate programs. Children's Faith Formation includes Sacramental Preparation programs for First Reconciliation and Confirmation Prep. RCIA welcomes adults seeking to join or learn more about the Catholic Church. Smaller weddings and funerals are held in the chapel, and daily Mass is also celebrated in the chapel.
- First Reconciliation preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Weddings and funerals in the chapel
- Anointing of the Sick available via parish office
Faith Formation for Children & Youth
St. Regis Parish offers many ways for children and adults to learn about the Catholic faith, prepare for sacraments, and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Programs support parents and family as the primary formators of children's faith.
- Monday Evening Faith Formation for Grades 1–8
- Online Faith Formation for Grades 1–8 with Wednesday Monthly Gatherings
- Sunday Faith Formation Opportunities for Children
- Vacation Bible School
- First Reconciliation and Confirmation Prep
St. Regis Catholic School
St. Regis Catholic School provides a strong academic program in the context of Catholic Christian formation and character development. The school operates at current capacity of about 500 students and is recognized for offering 'a high-quality education' with class sizes that allow personal attention. Programs span Early Childhood, Elementary, and an Academy program (created in 2012 by transforming the junior high). The school is located at 3691 Lincoln Rd., adjacent to the parish.
- Early Childhood Center
- Elementary (K–5)
- Academy (junior high program launched 2012)
- About 500 students at capacity
- Christian Service projects integrated into school life (e.g., food pantry support)
Christian Service & Outreach
The parish's outreach is organized around four pillars: Service to People in Need, Respect Life, Family/Relational Support, and Immigration/Refugees/Disaster Relief. St. Regis maintains a generous Christian Service program extending locally (South Oakland Shelter, Mother & Unborn Baby Care, parishes in Detroit) and internationally (school and hospital in Cameroon, Spanco Mission in Ghana). The Advent Giving Tree and Lenten Giving Tree provide thousands of gifts annually to inner-city parishes and organizations.
- Non-Perishable Food Drive for Transfiguration Food Bank (Southfield)
- Thanksgiving Food Collection for St. Leo's
- Meal Delivery Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive
- Advent Giving Tree — gifts to parishes including St. Moses the Black, St. Charles Lwanga, St. Augustine & St. Monica, St. Aloysius, St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher Center, Our Lady of Rosary, Mary’s Children Family Center, St. Christine’s Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent de Paul Prison Outreach
- Lenten Giving Tree — Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, Thank our Troops, Ladies of Charities, Mothers and Unborn Baby Care, Care House
Immigration Circle of Support (ICOS)
The Immigration Circle of Support engages the parish in education, support, and service of immigrants in metropolitan Detroit. ICOS works with Freedom House, Earhart Middle School in Southwest Detroit, and Strangers No Longer (an Archdiocese of Detroit organization). Members engage in accompaniment — 'being with' or 'walking alongside' someone in need — through conversation, court transportation, and other practical acts.
- Freedom House — Furnish Homes for those seeking Asylum
- Earhart Middle School partnership
- Strangers No Longer
- Accompaniment ministry
Family & Relational Support Ministries
These ministries walk alongside parishioners through life's challenges. Stephen Ministry provides trained lay caregivers offering confidential, Christ-centered care for grief, divorce, sickness, job loss, and other difficulties. Young at Heart hosts fellowship luncheons for parishioners over 55. New Dawn supports adults who have experienced loss. A monthly Divorce Ministry discussion addresses topics such as prayer, reconciliation, forgiveness, and annulment. Contact: Deacon Francis King, [email protected] or (248) 646-2686 Ext. 4012.
- Stephen Ministry
- Young at Heart: Senior Fellowship Luncheons
- New Dawn
- Divorce Ministry
Respect Life
The Respect Life ministry promotes human dignity at every stage of life and advocates for the poor and those on the fringes of society. Activities include support for Mother & Unborn Baby Care and other pro-life initiatives.
- Mother & Unborn Baby Care support
- Lenten giving to pro-life organizations
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Regis is currently served by a team of priests in solidum within the West Maple Family of Parishes. Fr. John Dudek serves as the priest primarily connected to St. Regis, with a special focus on the schools in the Family. Msgr. John Zenz serves as Moderator of the West Maple Family and Administrator of St. Regis Parish. Deacon Francis (Frances) King assists with parish ministry and is the contact for Family/Relational Support ministries.
- Fr. John Dudek — Priest in solidum
- Msgr. John Zenz — Moderator, West Maple Family / Administrator of St. Regis
- Deacon Francis (Frances) King
- Becky Neorr — Business Office Assistant
- Agnes Villarreal — Coordination of Discipleship Formation
- Theresa Skwara — Director of Faith Formation
- Ms. Katie Brydges — School Leader (St. Regis Elementary)
- Karen Terzich — Admissions Director
Chapel, Art & Devotional Features
The chapel, completed in 2016 and blessed by Archbishop Allen Vigneron, houses several devotional features. A relic of St. John Francis Regis is sealed in the altar. The stained glass windows came from now-closed St. John Cantius Church in Detroit. The rose window depicting the Holy Spirit was made by a local artist, modeled after a window at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The altar, doors, and ambo are also the work of a local artist. The reredos and the crucifix and statues of Mary and the Blessed Disciple are antiques made in France, salvaged from closed churches in the U.S.
- Stained glass: St. Helen, St. Agnes, St. Hedwig, St. Therese Lisieux, St. Maria Goretti, St. John the Baptist, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony, St. Aloysius
- Rose window: Holy Spirit (modeled on St. Peter's Basilica, Rome)
- Relic of St. John Francis Regis in the altar
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas F. Shields1962–1978
Founding pastor; fostered the 'spirit of the family of St Regis.' Built rectory (1963), convent (1964), current church (1968), activities center (1969). Resigned October 22, 1978 due to ill health.
- Fr. Daniel Murphy1979–1999
Developed many outreach activities that continue today. Parish adopted Cambodian refugee family (1981); supported St. Vincent de Paul; began annual Christmas Giving Tree. Celebrated 25th anniversary in 1987. Established long range planning committee in 1998.
- Fr. Norman Nawrocki1999–2011
Named pastor by Adam Cardinal Maida. Continued long range planning; developed master plan. 'Moments in Faith' campaign financed junior high wing. Outreach went international — Cameroon school/hospital and Spanco Mission in Ghana.
- Msgr. Charles Kosanke2011–2016
Named pastor by Archbishop Allen Vigneron. Held parish assembly November 2011. Celebrated 50th anniversary June 2012. Transformed junior high into academy program 2012. 'Changing Lives Together' campaign funded church renovation completed June 2015; new chapel completed 2016.
- Fr. David Buersmeyer2016–2023
Blessed new chapel December 2016; deposited relic of St. John Francis Regis in altar. Guided parish out of debt; implemented 'Unleash the Gospel.' Celebrated 60th anniversary 2022–23. Became Senior Priest end of June 2023.
- Fr. John Dudek2023–present
Appointed by Archbishop Vigneron as part of in solidum team of priests. Former special education teacher (26 years), ordained 2021. Primary priest connected to St. Regis with special focus on the schools in the West Maple Family of Parishes.