About Sts. James, Cornelius & Cyprian, Bunkerhill church · Leslie, Michigan
The Catholic Community of Saints James, Cornelius & Cyprian is a consolidated Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Lansing formed on July 1, 2018 by the merger of St. James Parish in Mason, Michigan with Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian Parish in Bunker Hill Township (Leslie), Michigan. The community worships at two campuses — St. James Church in Mason as the principal church and the historic Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian Church in Leslie as an oratory — under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Kusitino (Kusi) Cobona. Rooted in an Irish Catholic pioneer settlement dating to 1839–1845, the parish carries forward a heritage of faith across central and southern Ingham County and northern Jackson County with weekend Masses at both locations, weekday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and youth, and a full range of liturgical ministries.
- Established
- 1845
- Patron
- St. Cornelius (Pope, martyr, A.D. 251) and St. Cyprian (Bishop of Carthage)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Kusitino (Kusi) Cobona
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
The Catholic Community of Saints James, Cornelius & Cyprian offers the rare gift of two worship sites in one parish: the historic Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian church in Leslie and St. James in Mason, so families across central and southern Ingham County and northern Jackson County can find a weekend Mass close to home. Worship is supported by a full team of liturgical ministers — greeters, ushers, lectors, commentators, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and sacristans — and is enriched by Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays at the St. James campus, by Divine Mercy Adoration on the second Tuesday of the month, and by the Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday afternoons at Mason and before Sunday Mass at Bunker Hill. The parish runs a K–5 'GIFT — Growing In Faith Together' faith formation program, middle and high school youth ministry, RCIA for adults, sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion, and a music ministry, all under the long tenure of Fr. Kusitino Cobona.
Mass times at Sts. James, Cornelius & Cyprian, Bunkerhill church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM — St. James, Mason
- Sunday 7:45 AM — Bunker Hill (Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian)
- Or by appointment with Father Kusi (call 517-676-9111)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — St. James Campus: 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays at 5:30 PM
- Divine Mercy Adoration — 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM (St. James, Mason)
Our Two Campuses: St. James (Mason) and Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian (Bunker Hill, Leslie)
The Catholic Community of Saints James, Cornelius & Cyprian is one parish worshipping at two sites. St. James Church at 1010 S. Lansing St., Mason, MI 48854 is the principal church of the consolidated community; Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian Church at 1320 Catholic Church Rd., Leslie, MI 49251 is retained as an oratory — an auxiliary place of worship that remains an important home for parishioners in the Bunker Hill area. The two campuses are about 12.6 miles apart, with the parish office reachable at (517) 676-9111.
- St. James (Mason) — 1010 S. Lansing St., Mason, MI 48854
- Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian (Bunker Hill / Leslie) — 1320 Catholic Church Rd., Leslie, MI 49251
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:00 PM; closed Fri–Sun
Our History: From 1845 Pioneer Mass to 2018 Consolidation
The parish's roots reach to 1839, when the James Markey family settled in the Bunker Hill area; Father Patrick O'Kelly came on horseback from Livingston County in February 1845 to celebrate Mass in their home. Patrick Markey donated land for a Catholic cemetery in 1849, a wood-framed church was built there in 1863–1864, and Rev. Theodore Hilary Driessen became the first resident priest in November 1868. The mission was named for Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian by Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere of Detroit. After losing parochial status in 1873 and thirty-two years as a mission, the parish expanded under Fr. John J. Connolly (1899 brick church, school staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph from Nazareth) and then Fr. James O'Brien (1905–1919), who rebuilt after the devastating fires of 1906 and 1910. On June 8, 2018 Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing decreed the merger of Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian Parish with St. James Parish in Mason, effective July 1, 2018, with Fr. Kusitino Cobona as pastor. The parish's pioneer story and early-1900s rebuilds are commemorated by a Michigan Historical Commission marker erected in 2014.
- 1839 — Markey family arrives in Bunker Hill
- 1845 — First Mass celebrated in the Markey home by Fr. Patrick O'Kelly
- 1849 — Patrick Markey donates land for the Catholic cemetery
- 1863–1864 — Wood-frame church built in the cemetery
- 1868 — Rev. Theodore Hilary Driessen arrives as first resident priest
- 1873 — Parish loses parochial status; becomes a mission for 32 years
- 1899 — Brick-veneer church dedicated opposite the cemetery
- 1905 — Sisters of St. Joseph from Nazareth staff the school
- 1905–1919 — Pastorate of Fr. James O'Brien: fires of 1906 and 1910, rebuilds in 1907 and 1910, school built 1912
- 1964 — Parish school closes
- October 2015 — Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian clustered with St. James under Fr. Kusitino Cobona
- 2014 — Michigan Historical Commission marker erected at the parish
- June 8, 2018 — Bishop Earl Boyea decrees merger
- July 1, 2018 — Consolidated Catholic Community of Saints James, Cornelius & Cyprian established
The Two Patrons: St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian
Bishop Lefevere of Detroit named the parish for two great third-century Church Fathers. St. Cornelius was a Roman priest who became Pope in A.D. 251 and suffered martyrdom under the persecution of Emperor Trebonianus Gallus in 253. St. Cyprian was Bishop of Carthage, a major early Latin writer, and a martyr who died in A.D. 258. Their joint feast day, celebrated as the parish's feast, is September 16.
- St. Cornelius — Roman priest, Pope from A.D. 251, martyr 253
- St. Cyprian — Bishop of Carthage, early Church Father, martyr A.D. 258
- Joint feast day: September 16
Faith Formation: GIFT and Youth Ministry
The parish runs a Kindergarten through 5th grade Elementary Faith Formation program known as GIFT (Growing In Faith Together), directed by Teresa Hurd. Children preparing for First Reconciliation receive a full year of instruction before receiving the sacrament in April, then begin First Communion preparation the following Fall. Middle and high school youth ministry is coordinated by Nicole Trenary-Retz. Family Faith Events throughout the year include an All-Saints Parade, an Epiphany Celebration with the Three Wise Men, and a 'He Is Risen Egg Hunt,' along with service projects such as 'Valentines for Shut-Ins' and the May Crowning.
- Director of Faith Formation: Teresa Hurd
- GIFT — Growing In Faith Together (K–5)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Middle & High School Youth Ministry — Nicole Trenary-Retz
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Director of Evangelization — Rory Clark
- Faith Formation Center (downstairs classrooms at St. James campus)
Liturgical Ministries at Mass
Liturgical ministers assist Fr. Kusitino at every Mass. Roles are open to parishioners willing to serve: greeters welcome visitors and assist with the check-in process; ushers seat attendees, coordinate the presentation of the gifts and assist at baptisms; lectors proclaim the Word of God and the commentator welcomes and guides the assembly; altar servers (anyone who has received First Communion, including adults) assist at the altar; extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion distribute communion after training by the parish office; sacristans prepare the practical necessities of the celebration. Families and teams are encouraged to sign up together.
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Lectors / Commentator
- Altar Servers (open to anyone who has received First Communion, including adults)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Sacristans
- Music Ministry — Kim Muschong
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Kusitino (Kusi) Cobona, with Deacon Chuong Nguyen assisting. Lay staff lead faith formation, evangelization, music, business and maintenance. Visitors are encouraged to meet the pastor and to reach the office during weekday business hours.
- Pastor — Rev. Fr. Kusitino (Kusi) Cobona
- Deacon — Dcn. Chuong Nguyen
- Director of Evangelization — Rory Clark
- Director of Faith Formation — Teresa Hurd
- Middle & High School Youth Ministry — Nicole Trenary-Retz
- Music Minister — Kim Muschong
- Business Manager — Bonnie Sweet
- Maintenance — Michael Offenbacher
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the sacraments at Saints James, Cornelius & Cyprian is available through the parish office (517-676-9111). First Reconciliation preparation takes a full year, with the sacrament typically received in April; First Communion preparation then begins the following Fall. Couples should contact the office at least six months in advance of marriage. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office.
- Baptism — registration and preparation via parish office
- First Reconciliation (April, after a full year of instruction)
- First Communion (Fall preparation following First Reconciliation)
- Confirmation (diocesan program)
- Marriage — contact at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Sacrament of Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00 PM (Mason), Sunday 7:45 AM (Bunker Hill), or by appointment
Parish Identity, Mission and Stewardship
The parish's stated focus is to 'be a healthy, loving and growing faith community that brings people to Christ and the Eucharist, and forms missionary disciples to send them out to transform our communities.' The community's motto is 'Love God, Love People, Make Disciples,' built around the four stewardship pillars of Worship, Grow, Serve and Connect, with every member 'highly valued, and committed to worship, grow, serve, connect and give freely.' The community's vision draws on the scriptural call of 1 Peter 4:10 — 'As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.'
- Mission: bring people to Christ and the Eucharist; form missionary disciples
- Motto: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples
- Four pillars: Worship · Grow · Serve · Connect
- Inspired by 1 Peter 4:10
Visiting, Contact & Practical Information
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time parishioner, the parish invites you to 'come and discover our rich history and vibrant community.' The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and is closed Friday through Sunday. The parish bulletin, online giving and current events are available through the website at saintsjcc.org.
- Parish phone: (517) 676-9111
- Parish email (business): [email protected]
- Faith Formation email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.saintsjcc.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StsJamesCorneliusCyprian/
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick O'Kelly1845
Traveled from Livingston County to celebrate the first Mass for the Bunker Hill Catholics in the Markey home.
- Rev. Cornelius Moutard1857
Pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Jackson; also given care of the Bunker Hill mission.
- Rev. Theodore Hilary DriessenNovember 1868
Sent by Bishop Lefevere of Detroit as the first resident priest; named the parish for Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian.
- Rev. John J. Connolly
Pastor at Williamston who oversaw expansion of Bunker Hill: 1899 brick church, rectory, convent and school; secured Sisters of St. Joseph from Nazareth; transferred July 1905.
- Rev. James O'Brien1905–1919
First resident pastor in over thirty years; rebuilt the church (1907), rectory (1910) and built school (1912) after fires in 1906 and 1910.
- Rev. Kusitino CobonaOctober 2015–present
First clustered the two parishes in 2015; named pastor of the consolidated Catholic Community of Saints James, Cornelius & Cyprian effective July 1, 2018.