About St. Thomas More · Kalamazoo, Michigan
St. Thomas More Student Parish is a Roman Catholic student parish serving the college communities of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Located at 421 Monroe Street near Western Michigan University, it ministers to students from WMU, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, the WMU School of Medicine, and Davenport University, alongside permanent resident parishioners. The parish is part of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and offers daily and Sunday Mass, a robust campus ministry, faith formation, music ministry, RCIA, outreach programs, and a sister-parish relationship with a community in El Salvador.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Rev. Kenneth W. Schmidt
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo
Why belong here
St. Thomas More is a rare kind of parish: a Catholic home that openly welcomes college students together with permanent residents in a deliberately intergenerational community. Sunday and daily Masses, a 24/7 chapel (Mary, Mother of the Poor Chapel) open for prayer, RCIA for those entering the Church, faith formation for children and youth (Spirit!), and ministries such as Sunday Suppers, Migrant Ministry, Music Ministry, and a Sister Parish relationship with Maria, Madre de los Pobres in El Salvador give every age a place to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Thomas More
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Reconciliation — call the parish office (269-381-8917) to schedule
Our Parish — Identity and Mission
The parish mission statement reads: 'We, the people of St. Thomas More Parish, gifted and led by the Holy Spirit, are called to build up the Kingdom of God among the college communities of Kalamazoo. Diverse, yet one, we are called to be the Body of Christ, to praise and worship our heavenly Father, to proclaim God's Word, to love and serve others, especially the poor and neglected.' St. Tom's welcomes all who wish to share in this mission: students from Kalamazoo College, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, WMU School of Medicine, and Davenport University, together with permanent residents of the area.
- Combined population of college students and permanent residents
- Permanent residents register via Parish Registration Form (narthex or parish office)
- Students register each fall with Student Registration cards; database keeps parishioners informed of relevant events
Sacramental Celebrations
Parishioners are encouraged to call the parish office for Reconciliation, Baptism, and Marriage. The stated period of marriage preparation is at least six months, and Deacon Joe Schmitt oversees Baptismal Preparation along with Marriage Preparation.
- Reconciliation — by appointment via parish office
- Baptism — preparation required; call to set appointment
- Marriage — six-month preparation; engaged couples assisted
- Pastoral care of the sick and homebound — coordinated through the office
Parish Staff and Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Pastor Father Ken Schmidt with Associate Pastor Father Ben Huynh, supported by two deacons and lay staff in music, faith formation, campus ministry, and administration.
- Rev. Kenneth W. Schmidt — Pastor
- Rev. Ben Huynh — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Joe Schmitt — Marriage & Baptismal Preparation, Social Justice
- Deacon Frank Sila — Hospital, Homebound, Jail Ministries
- Vicki Matunas — Director of Music Ministry
- Sister Pam Owens, CSJ — RCIA, Liturgical Ministries
- Dave Chadderdon — Pastoral Counselor
- Mary Kay DuBay & Kevin Hinds — Campus Ministry Team
- Michele Cretsinger — Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor
- Martha Reid — Financial Secretary
- Lyle Smith — Physical Plant Director
- Jason Aiello — Faith Formation (Pre-K–12, joint with St. Joseph Parish)
- Phil Dezern — Spirit! Youth Groups & Social Justice Coordinator
Campus Ministry (College Students)
As a Catholic student parish, St. Tom's centers much of its ministry on undergraduate and graduate students from area colleges. A dedicated Campus Ministry Team reaches out to students each fall with registration drives, Sunday Suppers, faith formation, and small-group life.
- Catholic Campus Ministry for WMU, Kalamazoo College, KVCC, WMU School of Medicine, Davenport University
- Sunday Suppers — home-cooked meals for students after Sunday Mass when colleges are in session
- Student registration each fall via Student Registration cards
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Religious Education and Youth Faith Formation provides catechesis and sacramental preparation for children and youth. Programs for Pre-K through 12 are run jointly with neighboring St. Joseph Parish, 936 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, and Spirit! youth groups welcome Catholic students and their friends from all area schools.
- Faith Formation Pre-K–12 (jointly with St. Joseph Parish)
- Spirit! Middle School youth group
- Spirit! High School youth group
- Sacramental preparation programs
- Volunteer catechists, classroom aides, and event helpers
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry 'strives to share musical gifts and talents to praise God in song, to support and to inspire the prayer of all who attend the liturgies.' Music ministers rehearse the hour before each Mass. Liturgical Ministries invite parishioners to serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, musicians, or Mass coordinators, and to contribute artistic talents to the liturgical environment across the seasons.
- Choir and instrumentalists (drummers, guitar, strings, winds welcome)
- Lectors and Eucharistic ministers
- Mass coordinators and liturgical environment volunteers
Outreach & Social Justice
St. Tom's maintains a strong justice-and-service identity, with ministries coordinated by Deacon Joe Schmitt through the Peace and Justice Ministry. Outreach touches migrant workers near Kalamazoo, neighbors in poverty, and a sister community in El Salvador.
- Migrant Ministry — summer evenings at migrant camps; clothing & household items for workers; Aleman Center, Hartford (Spanish not required)
- Sister Parish Committee — Maria, Madre de los Pobres, El Salvador (scholarship program, delegations, medical/optical supplies, annual sponsor dinner)
- Toilet Paper Ministry — founded 2015; monthly distribution at St. Andrew's Church
- Lambda Catholics — inclusive, ecumenical group supporting LGBTQ+ parishioners under WMU Safe on Campus policies
- Funeral and Food Preparation Ministry
Community Life & Small Groups
Alongside its justice ministries, St. Tom's nourishes parish friendships and spirituality through small groups. The Women's Group gathers for faith sharing and mutual support; the Young Adults Group is open to young professionals, single people, married couples, and parents throughout the Kalamazoo area.
- Welcoming Ministry — calls new permanent residents
- Women's Group — faith sharing and mutual support
- Young Adults Group — weekly meal and discussion
- St. Lucy Ministry — prayer-shawl knitting/crocheting on 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 4:45 PM, Mary Mother of the Poor Chapel
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office is located at 1333 W. Lovell Street, on the corner of Monroe and Lovell Streets. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, with a daily closure from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch. The office and church are closed the Monday after Easter.
- Address: 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
- Office: 1333 W. Lovell Street
- Phone: (269) 381-8917
- Fax: (269) 381-0195
- Email: [email protected]
- Office closed the Monday after Easter
Parish Council
The Parish Council provides lay governance and advises the pastor. Posted meeting minutes are available on the parish website, including recent meetings and earlier sessions.
- Council Chair: Nadine Deak (with Fr. Paul as priest liaison)
- Published minutes on the parish website (e.g., December 2023, September 2020, July 2020, November 2019)
- Concerns / Request form available on the parish website