About St. Thomas the Apostle · Muskegon, Michigan
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is a Catholic parish in Muskegon Township, Michigan, founded in 1948 by two Franciscan missionaries — Father Rudolf Hornberger, OFM, and Father Clementin Grosskopf, OFM — who had previously served as missionaries in China. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Grand Rapids (West Deanery, Muskegon County) and is currently administered as part of a cluster that includes Sacred Heart Parish in Muskegon Heights. Its mission statement emphasizes prayer, social outreach, education, healing, evangelization, and the acceptance of all God's people. Worship is centered at 3252 Apple Avenue, with daily Mass, weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Faith Formation for children, RCIA, Vacation Bible School, a long-running food pantry, and Knights of Columbus Council 13035.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Douglas A. Braun, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids (West Deanery, Muskegon County)
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle is a multi-generational parish with deep local roots in Muskegon Township, going back to 1948, that still lives out the founding Franciscans' spirit of outreach. Daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays, and Saturday and Sunday Mass offer steady rhythm of worship, while faith formation serves children grades 1–8, confirmation candidates, adults in RCIA, and Vacation Bible School each summer. Members serve the wider community through a food pantry that has run since 1988, a Sunday Mass van for elderly and homebound parishioners at Christian Care Center, Hickory Village, and Pine Grove Manor, a long-standing sister-parish relationship with St. Michael in Haiti, and Knights of Columbus Council 13035 ('Fathers Rudy & Clem'). It is a place where parish history, simple hospitality, and practical charity meet.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- Sunday 9:00–9:45 (AM)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM (before 6:00 PM Mass)
Parish History
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish was founded in 1948 by two Franciscan missionaries, Father Rudolf Hornberger, OFM, and Father Clementin Grosskopf, OFM. The land at the corner of Apple and Dangl in Muskegon Township was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith, who asked that the new church be named after their young son Thomas, who had been killed coming home from St. Mary's School. The first Mass was celebrated on November 7, 1948, at the Egelston Town Hall. From the first days the parish organized an Altar Society (Nov. 22, 1948) and a choir (under Mrs. Ray Jasicki Sr. and Fr. Clem), and the first Baptism — Thomas Calkins — was celebrated November 21, 1948. The parish hall, now 'Founder's Hall,' was dedicated at the Silver Anniversary in 1973 in honor of the founding friars.
- Founded November 7, 1948
- Founders: Fr. Rudolf Hornberger, OFM, and Fr. Clementin Grosskopf, OFM
- Land at Apple & Dangl donated by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Smith in memory of their son Thomas
- Silver Anniversary dedication of Founder's Hall: 1973
- 50th Anniversary celebration: November 7, 1998, with reception at Muskegon Community College
- Entered cluster with Sacred Heart, Muskegon Heights in 2012
Our Founding Fathers
The parish honors the lives of Fr. Rudy and Fr. Clem, both veteran missionaries of the Franciscan Order. Fr. Rudy, a native of Indianapolis, was first sent to China in 1933 after service in Rome; he served at St. John Hospital in Springfield, IL training U.S. Cadet nurses from 1944–1947 and received a citation for meritorious wartime service. Fr. Clem, a native of Petoskey, was ordained and sent to China in 1928. When Japan occupied China, both priests were detained in a prison camp — Fr. Clem famously slipped out at night on an old bicycle to minister to local people, returning before being missed. Released in 1943, they later founded St. Thomas the Apostle in Muskegon. Fr. Rudy was a Franciscan for 50 years and a priest for 43 years; Fr. Clem was transferred in 1967 due to ill health and eventually buried among the area Franciscans in Oak Brook, IL.
- Fr. Rudolf Hornberger, OFM (1948–1972) — native of Indianapolis
- Fr. Clementin Grosskopf, OFM (1948–1967) — native of Petoskey
- Both detained by Japanese in China; released 1943
- Knight of Columbus Council 13035 named 'Fathers Rudy & Clem' in their honor
Pastoral Leadership
The parish was led by Franciscan priests for its first four decades before transitioning to diocesan clergy in 1986. Fr. Ron Schneider became St. Thomas's first diocesan pastor that year. Fr. Phil Witkowski followed in 1994, Fr. Mark Bauer served briefly as interim in 2002–2003, and Fr. Michael P. Olson pastored from 2003 until being granted senior priest status on December 31, 2010. Fr. Antony Britto, SAC, was then appointed administrator and in 2012 was also named pastor of Sacred Heart in Muskegon Heights, forming the cluster. On October 23, 2019, Bishop Walkowiak appointed Father Douglas A. Braun, JCL, as canonical administrator of the cluster while also naming him Adjutant Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Deacon Dave Kasprzyk has served the parish as Permanent Deacon since 1991.
- First diocesan pastor: Fr. Ron Schneider (1986–1994)
- Deacon Dave Kasprzyk, Permanent Deacon since 1991
- Current Canonical Administrator: Rev. Douglas A. Braun, JCL (appointed Oct. 23, 2019)
- Father Braun also serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids
Mission & Worship
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish's mission statement reads: 'As Children of God, we are St. Thomas Catholic Parish. Faith brings our family together. The celebration of the sacraments and the proclamation of the gospel unite us. We are spirit guided. We commit ourselves to prayer, social outreach, education, healing, evangelization, and the acceptance of all God's people. Amen.' The parish offers a daily Mass schedule — Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, Tuesday evening with Adoration — and weekend Masses Saturday 4:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM. The Sunday Rosary is prayed at 9:30 AM before Mass. The Diocese of Grand Rapids notes that Spanish-language and bilingual Masses are also offered within the cluster at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM (Rosary at 9:30 AM)
- Weekday Masses: Tue 6:00 PM (Adoration 5:00 PM), Wed 9:00 AM, Thu 12:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM
- Spanish / bilingual Mass available in the cluster
Faith Formation & RCIA
The Faith Formation & RCIA page invites families with students in grades 1 through 8 to register for Religious Education by contacting the Parish Office or Sue Peterson. Confirmation classes are coordinated by Kathy Hayes. Adults seeking to become Catholic register for RCIA (also called OCIA) by contacting the office. The parish also runs a Catholic Vacation Bible School each summer ('Heroes in Heaven,' for ages 5 through 5th grade, with songs, snacks, games, crafts, and stories of Jesus and the Saints), held 6:00–7:30 PM Monday through Thursday in mid-to-late June.
- Religious Education: grades 1–8 — Sue Peterson
- Confirmation: Kathy Hayes
- RCIA / OCIA for adults becoming Catholic
- Vacation Bible School 'Heroes in Heaven' — late June, ages 5 through 5th grade
Parish Ministries & Outreach
The parish has long been known for its outreach. The food pantry has fed area hungry since 1988. A van ministry begun October 5, 1997 brings elderly and homebound parishioners from Christian Care Center, Hickory Village, and Pine Grove Manor to Sunday Mass (originally coordinated by Barb & John LaPres). The parish has maintained a Sister Parish relationship with St. Michael in Haiti since 1993. The Knights of Columbus Council 13035, named 'Fathers Rudy & Clem' in honor of the founders, was established January 22, 2002, with Jeff Johnson as Charter Grand Knight; general meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Hall. Other long-running community-building efforts include the parish 'Light Weekends' (since September 1992), the annual parish camp-out (since July 1995), the parish choir (since November 1948), and the Altar Society (since November 1948).
- Food Pantry (since 1988)
- Sunday Mass Van ministry (since 1997)
- Sister Parish: St. Michael, Haiti (since 1993)
- Knights of Columbus Council 13035 'Fathers Rudy & Clem' (est. Jan. 22, 2002)
- Light Weekends (since 1992)
- Annual Parish Camp-out (since 1995)
Staff & Parish Office
The Parish Office is staffed Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, and Friday 9:00 AM – noon. Office Manager Jenny Horton and Office Assistant & Custodian Audra Erb handle day-to-day operations. Music Director Ellen McCarl leads liturgical music. Robby Stamper handles maintenance. Religious Education is coordinated by Sue Peterson and confirmation by Kathy Hayes. All can be reached through the parish phone number (231) 773-3160; Sue Peterson can also be reached at [email protected]. The parish shares office infrastructure with the cluster at Sacred Heart.
- Fr. Douglas A. Braun, JCL — Pastoral Staff
- Jenny Horton — Office Manager
- Audra Erb — Office Assistant & Custodial
- Ellen McCarl — Music Director
- Robby Stamper — Maintenance
- Sue Peterson — Religious Education
- Kathy Hayes — Confirmation
- Deacon Dave Kasprzyk
Sacraments
Reconciliation is offered Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM, Sunday 9:00–9:45 (AM), and by appointment. The parish celebrates Baptisms, Marriages, First Communion, and Confirmation, with families asked to contact the Parish Office to begin preparation. Adults interested in full initiation into the Catholic Church are invited to join RCIA. Children in grades 1–8 receive religious education, with two-year Confirmation preparation coordinated by Kathy Hayes.
- Reconciliation: Sat 3:00–3:45 PM, Sun 9:00–9:45 AM, or by appointment
- Baptism, Marriage, First Communion, Confirmation — contact Parish Office
- RCIA / OCIA for adults
- Children's Religious Education grades 1–8
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can contact St. Thomas the Apostle by mail at 3252 Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442-2745; by phone at (231) 773-3160; by fax at (231) 777-7866; or by email at [email protected]. The parish's 'How to Get Here' page includes a map and driving directions. Weekly bulletins are available for download on the parish website, and visitors can sign up for bulletin email updates through DiscoverMass. Electronic Giving (EFT) forms are available from the Parish Office.
- Address: 3252 Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442-2745
- Phone: (231) 773-3160
- Fax: (231) 777-7866
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stthomasmuskegon.org
- Weekly bulletins available online (DiscoverMass)
- Electronic Giving (EFT) form available
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Rudolf Hornberger, OFM1948–1972
Co-founder; native of Indianapolis; Franciscan missionary in China from 1933; detained by Japanese in prison camp, released 1943.
- Fr. Clementin Grosskopf, OFM1948–1967
Co-founder; native of Petoskey; missionary in China from 1928; transferred due to ill health.
- Fr. Robert Dentzman1955–1957
- Fr. Vincent Fochtman1966–1975
- Fr. Conan Mitchell, OFM1972–1986
Stayed on as associate pastor with Fr. Miro Wiese.
- Fr. Donatus Grunloh, OFM ('Fr. Don')1967–1981
Replaced Fr. Clem; transferred to St. Louis, MO; died 2005, age 82.
- Fr. Miro Wiese, OFM1984–1986
Pastored alongside Fr. Conan Mitchell.
- Fr. Ron Schneider1986–1994
First diocesan pastor at St. Thomas; later transferred to Hart.
- Fr. Phil Witkowski1994–2003
Transferred out in 2003.
- Fr. Mark Bauer2002–2003
Appointed interim pastor.
- Fr. Michael P. Olson2003–2010
Granted senior priest status effective December 31, 2010.
- Fr. Antony Britto, SAC2010–2019
Administrator; ordained May 14, 1988; in 2012 named pastor of Sacred Heart cluster.
- Fr. Douglas A. Braun, JCL2019–present
Appointed canonical administrator Oct. 23, 2019 by Bishop Walkowiak; also Adjutant Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.