About St. Rene Goupil · Sterling Heights, Michigan
St. Rene Goupil Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan, part of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Located on Ryan Road in the northwest part of the city, the parish serves families in the Ryan Road and Metropolitan Parkway corridor with a regular schedule of weekend and weekday Masses, a weekday Perpetual Adoration chapel, faith formation for children in grades 1 through 8, and a busy calendar of sacraments and devotions. Its mission statement reads: 'St. Rene Goupil Parish is a Catholic Community dedicated to strengthening the faith and love of its people. Our mission is to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, to celebrate His presence, and to reach out to others in His name.' The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Steven C. Koehler and belongs to the Northeast Central Macomb 2 Family of Parishes in the Central Macomb Vicariate.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- St. René Goupil
- Rector
- Rev. Steven C. Koehler
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Central Macomb Vicariate, Northeast Region; Northeast Central Macomb 2 Family of Parishes)
Why belong here
St. Rene Goupil offers a complete Catholic life in one place: a steady Sunday and weekday Mass schedule, daily Perpetual Adoration from 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday, faith formation for children in grades 1–8, an active youth group, RCIA for adults becoming Catholic, and the full sacraments (Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation). Parishioners are supported by long-standing ministries such as the Legion of Mary, Divine Mercy devotion, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul for poverty help, and Catholic Social Services of Macomb. Families can register online and immediately plug into a parish that clearly aims to strengthen the faith and love of its people.
Mass times at St. Rene Goupil
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (special schedules for Advent and Lent)
Adoration times
- Monday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Parish Mission
St. Rene Goupil Parish states its mission plainly on its website: 'St. Rene Goupil Parish is a Catholic Community dedicated to strengthening the faith and love of its people. Our mission is to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, to celebrate His presence, and to reach out to others in His name.' This threefold focus — proclaiming Christ, celebrating the Eucharist and sacraments, and serving others — shapes everything from the daily Mass schedule to outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Social Services of Macomb.
History & Patron Saint
Founded in 1972 to serve the northwest Sterling Heights community along the Ryan Road corridor, St. Rene Goupil takes its name from St. René Goupil (1608–1642), a French Jesuit lay missionary ('donné') and the first canonized Catholic martyr of North America. He worked among the Iroquois and was killed at Ossernenon in present-day Auriesville, New York on September 29, 1642. He was beatified in 1925 and canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930, with seven other North American Martyrs. A statue inside the parish church depicts his ministry with the Iroquois. His feast day is October 19 in the United States.
- Parish established: 1972
- Patron: St. René Goupil, SJ
- Feast day (USA): October 19
- Canonized: June 29, 1930 by Pope Pius XI
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all the standard sacraments, with clear published policies for Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and adult initiation through RCIA. Parents must complete a preparation class before a child's Baptism, and engaged couples are asked to begin Marriage preparation at least six months in advance.
- Baptism: third Sunday of the month at 12:00 PM; parent prep class fourth Saturday at 10:00 AM
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:00 PM
- Marriage: 6 months advance notice through Parish Office; one partner must be a registered parishioner for 6 months
- Anointing of the Sick: on request or by appointment
- RCIA (Becoming Catholic): Coordinator Mike Novak, 586-939-7500 ext. 109
Faith Formation & Youth
St. Rene Goupil's faith formation program serves children in first through eighth grade, with classes and an active youth group that the parish describes as 'the most powerful youth group on the planet.' Director of Faith Formation and Director of Evangelization & Education is Michael Novak, supported by Jennetta Novak in administration and IT. The parish's young people have participated in the World Youth Jubilee in Rome alongside Pope Leo XIV.
- Faith Formation for grades 1–8
- Youth Group events
- Director: Michael Novak
- Administrative Assistant & IT: Jennetta Novak
Parish School — Jammin' with Jesus Catholic Academy
The parish website's Links & Resources page lists Jammin' with Jesus Catholic Academy as an affiliated school option for parish families. (Detailed enrollment and program information is maintained on the school's own site.)
- Jammin' with Jesus Catholic Academy (linked from parish Resources page)
Ministries, Organizations & Outreach
St. Rene Goupil runs a wide range of parish ministries and connects parishioners to broader Catholic services. Worship and music are led by Director of Worship & Music Alexander Sunga. Outreach partners include Catholic Social Services of Macomb and the parish's own St. Vincent de Paul conference for help with poverty. The parish also maintains contact persons for the Legion of Mary, Divine Mercy devotion, ushers, Perpetual Adoration, and the local Knights of Columbus council.
- Legion of Mary — Mary Peterson, (586) 979-1469
- Divine Mercy devotion
- Ushers — Al Gyenese, (586) 808-3128
- Perpetual Adoration — Mary Peterson, (586) 979-1469
- Catholic Social Services of Macomb — (586) 416-2300
- St. Vincent de Paul (poverty help) — (586) 718-4523
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Joseph White, (586) 556-2122
- Director of Worship & Music: Alexander Sunga
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Steven C. Koehler and Associate Rev. Joy Chakian, with two deacons serving liturgical and pastoral needs. Administrative staff support parish operations, faith formation, and IT.
- Pastor: Rev. Steven C. Koehler
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Joy Chakian
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. John Ball
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Kevin Tietz
- Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization & Education: Michael Novak
- Director of Worship & Music: Alexander Sunga
- Administrative Assistant: Kristen Raona
- Faith Formation Admin Assistant & IT Technical Advisor: Jennetta Novak
Becoming a Parishioner
New families and individuals are invited to register online through the St. Rene Goupil Family Registration Form on the parish website. Registration is required before the parish can issue sacramental sponsorship certificates, and membership is a condition for reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage.
- Online Family Registration form available at strene.org
- Membership required for sacramental sponsorship certificates
- Inquiries via Parish Office at (586) 939-7500
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open weekdays (the website lists hours such as 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) and can be reached by phone or fax. The preferred way to email is the online contact form linked from the parish website.
- Address: 35955 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48310
- Phone: (586) 939-7500
- Fax: (586) 939-7839
- Email: via online contact form
- Website: https://www.strene.org
Featured Saints & Featured Content
The parish maintains a 'Featured Saints' page on its website, inviting parishioners to learn about the saints honored within the community and their lives of holiness.
- Featured Saints page: strene.org/featured-saints
Archdiocese of Detroit & Family of Parishes
St. Rene Goupil belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit and is organized into the Central Macomb Vicariate, Northeast Region, within the Northeast Central Macomb 2 Family of Parishes. A Family Moderator and several Priests In Solidum support collaborative ministry across the parishes in the family.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Detroit
- Vicariate: Central Macomb
- Region: Northeast
- Family of Parishes: Northeast Central Macomb 2
Safe Environment & CSA
The parish hosts Protecting God's Children in-person Virtus training sessions on-site (one posted session: September 22, 2026, 5:15 PM – 9:00 PM) and supports the Archdiocese's CSA (Catholic Services Appeal) campaign with a dedicated online donation/pledge link.
- Virtus / Protecting God's Children in-person classes on parish grounds
- CSA donation/pledge link on parish website