About St. Vincent de Paul · Shepherd, Michigan
St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saginaw that serves the rural communities of Shepherd, Irishtown, Winn, and the surrounding Mid-Michigan area. The parish worships primarily at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shepherd, with St. Patrick Church in Irishtown also part of the parish family, and it maintains the historic cemeteries of St. Leo the Great, St. Patrick, and St. Vincent de Paul. Its current church building was dedicated in 1976, with the parish community marking its 50th Anniversary of Dedication in September 2026. The parish welcomes everyone 'no matter what your current family or marital situation... religious affiliation... age, background, race or color,' and offers weekend Mass, faith formation for all ages, music ministry, youth ministry, and active parish commissions in worship, faith formation, and evangelization.
- Patron
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a small but active rural Catholic community in Mid-Michigan that explicitly welcomes every person — 'no matter what your current family or marital situation, status in the Catholic Church, religious affiliation, age, background, race or color.' Members grow together through weekend Mass, weekly adult Bible study, a Children's Liturgy of the Word program, youth and young adult faith formation, an active music ministry, and a 50-year-old church building (dedicated 1976) that the parish is preparing to celebrate with a major anniversary mission in 2026. With St. Patrick Church in Irishtown, three historic cemeteries, and standing commissions in Worship, Faith Formation, and Evangelization, the parish offers many ways to be involved at every age and stage of life.
Mass times at St. Vincent de Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
About St. Vincent de Paul Parish
St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a Catholic community in the Diocese of Saginaw serving Shepherd, Irishtown, Winn, and the surrounding rural areas of Mid-Michigan. The parish worships at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shepherd and shares parish life with St. Patrick Church in Irishtown. The parish's welcome statement stresses that everyone — whatever their family, marital, or church status — is invited, welcomed, accepted, loved, and respected here.
- Diocese: Diocese of Saginaw
- Vicariate: 5
- Parish church: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Shepherd
- Related church: St. Patrick Church, Irishtown
History & Anniversary
The parish website notes that for 'the past century' the people of this area have called St. Vincent de Paul, St. Patrick, and St. Leo their church community. The current St. Vincent de Paul Church building was dedicated in 1976, and the parish will mark its 50th Anniversary of the Dedication on September 27, 2026. A two-evening Parish Mission with Catholic musician and speaker Steve Angrisano will follow on September 28 and 29, 2026.
- Century-old community of faith in the Shepherd/Irishtown/Winn area
- 1976: Dedication of the current St. Vincent de Paul Church
- September 27, 2026: 50th Anniversary of the Dedication
- September 28 & 29, 2026: Parish Mission with Steve Angrisano
Parish Leadership & Staff
Pastoral care is currently provided by two Sacramental Ministers, with a Deacon serving as Director of Parish Life. Lay staff and ministry directors coordinate faith formation, music, youth ministry, and the parish office.
- Rev. Frederick J. Kawka — Sacramental Minister ([email protected])
- Rev. Loren Kalinowski — Sacramental Minister ([email protected])
- Deacon Todd Lovas — Director of Parish Life ([email protected] / [email protected])
- Heather Sova — Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Mary Moomey — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Mary Moeggenborg — Director of Music Ministry ([email protected])
- Emily Thelen — Youth Minister ([email protected])
- Zachary Lobsinger — Finance Council Chair
Mass & Worship Schedule
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Weekday communal prayer is offered at both churches in the cluster. The parish has stopped livestreaming Sunday Mass and now directs homebound parishioners to the daily and Sunday Mass livestream from the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw; the parish office will arrange Communion visits for those who cannot attend.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM
- Morning Prayer at St. Vincent de Paul Church — Thursday 10:00 AM
- Evening Prayer at St. Patrick Church — 1st, 3rd, 4th Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Vincent de Paul is described as 'ongoing and life-long,' with programs for children, youth, young adults, and adults. The parish sees parents as the primary teachers of their children and supplements that with parish programs, Bible study, and a Youth Ministry program.
- Children's Faith Formation (begins in 1st grade)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass (no registration needed)
- Middle School and High School Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Faith Formation
- Adult Faith Formation (year-round)
- Adult Bible Study — Thursdays after Morning Prayer, exploring the Sunday Scripture readings
- Lenten Soup Suppers and other Lenten spiritual/formation opportunities
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the three sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist — as well as the process for adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church. In the Diocese of Saginaw, Confirmation is conferred prior to First Communion.
- Baptism — parents contact the parish office; brief instruction for parents and godparents; infant baptisms at a weekend Mass
- Confirmation — second sacrament of initiation; children 7+ enroll in the Sacrament Process; baptized adults prepare separately
- Eucharist (Holy Communion) — First Eucharist typically celebrated in 2nd year of formation
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Commissions & Parish Councils
Parishioners can get involved through three standing commissions that support the parish's teaching, worship, and outreach mission, along with a Finance Council.
- Faith Formation / Education Commission (Adult Faith Formation, Catechetics, Vocations, Youth & Young Adult Ministry) — meets monthly
- Worship Commission — including training of liturgical ministers
- Evangelization Commission
- Finance Council — chaired by Zachary Lobsinger
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music ministry is led by Mary Moeggenborg, Director of Music Ministry. The parish publishes a weekly Ministry Schedule with assignments for lectors and other liturgical roles at the Saturday 4:30 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM Masses, as well as at the St. Patrick Memorial Masses.
- Director of Music Ministry: Mary Moeggenborg
- Lectors (scheduled at both weekend Masses)
- Training of liturgical ministers through the Worship Commission
Cemeteries
Alongside the two parish churches, St. Vincent de Paul Parish cares for three historic Catholic cemeteries in the area.
- St. Leo the Great Cemetery
- St. Patrick Cemetery
- St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery
Visiting, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Homebound parishioners are encouraged to call the office so the parish can arrange to bring them the Blessed Sacrament.
- Parish Office: 989-828-5720
- Fax: 989-828-4652
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Homebound visits: call the parish office to arrange