A Parish Rooted in the Hayfields of Georgetown Township
Holy Redeemer Parish stands on about nine acres along Baldwin Street in Jenison, Michigan, a Jenison address that, when the parish was born in 1975, looked very different. The first pastor, Fr. Norman Droski, recalled driving past hayfield after hayfield trying to find the future building site. The new faith community celebrated its first Mass on April 20, 1975 in the Jenison High School auditorium and worshipped there for three years until the first section of the church building was completed in 1978. Today, more than fifty years after that first Mass, Holy Redeemer is home to over nine Sunday Masses a week, classrooms packed with parish school children, a busy food pantry, and a new pastor who is the ninth in the parish's line of shepherds.
Mass, Confession, and a Chapel That Never Sleeps
Holy Redeemer worships in the Roman Catholic tradition of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and its schedule is built around three Sunday Masses and a daily Mass every weekday. The weekend begins with a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 PM, followed by Sunday morning liturgies at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Daily Mass is celebrated on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 8:30 AM, on Thursday mornings at 8:30 AM, and on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard on Saturdays at 2:30 PM in the Reconciliation Room, by appointment at other times, and during communal penance services in Advent and Lent.
Adoration is woven into the rhythm of the parish. The Adoration Chapel is open every day from 6:00 AM until midnight for silent prayer, and on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 PM the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for a Eucharistic Hour that closes with Benediction. The parish also serves four area nursing homes with monthly Mass on a rotating schedule, bringing Communion and worship to residents who cannot make it to the church building.
Shepherds of the Parish
Holy Redeemer is currently shepherded by Rev. Victor Kynam, who became the parish's ninth pastor on July 1, 2025 when he was appointed by Bishop David J. Walkowiak. Fr. Kynam was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grand Rapids in 2007. Serving alongside him is Permanent Deacon Richard Pitt. Assisting them is an administrative assistant and a team that includes Director of Sacramental Formation (grades K-8) Marija Bilic, Director of Ongoing Faith Formation Amy Fleck, Community Life Director Colleen Bryan, Music Director Emily Rogalski, Communications coordinator Sally Bosch, Finance Manager Shelley Yakubowski, and maintenance lead Tim Link.
Eight pastors have come before Fr. Kynam. Fr. Phong Q. Pham, who was installed in November 2022, preceded him. Before him came Fr. Colin J. Mulhall, now vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Grand Rapids; Fr. Donald Weber, who served as canonical administrator; Fr. Roc Majalla, SAC, who led the parish's fortieth anniversary celebrations; Fr. Ronald Hutchinson, under whose tenure the parish added a suspended crucifix, the entrance chapel statue, kneelers, a commercial kitchen, a nursery, and a prayer garden; Fr. Richard J. Lawie; Fr. Denis P. Nash, who oversaw the entryway enclosure, the stained glass sanctuary windows, and the Phase III building that added classrooms, a gymnasium/family center, and a music rehearsal room; Fr. Thomas G. Simons, who led the 1987 Phase II addition with the Emmaus Chapel, the enlarged Shepherd's Hall, and the parish center; and Fr. Norman Droski himself, the founding pastor, who still returns to the parish from time to time.
Faith Formation for Every Age
The parish describes its role in lifelong learning simply: "our faith is always in a process of growth, it never reaches final completion." Sunday mornings between the two Masses are the parish's busiest formation hour. Children age four through kindergarten gather in the Sunday School from 9:45 to 10:45 AM, working through engaging, multi-sensory activities led by catechists who are all Virtus trained and background checked. Children in grades one through five follow Faith Formation Sessions on the same schedule, with two catechists in every classroom. Grades six through eight meet weekly from September through April, using the Finding God curriculum and meeting around a rhythm of spiritual life events (a rally, a Shine rally, a Confirmation retreat, diocesan youth events), formation classes, and community time that includes icebreakers, retreats, bonfires, and outreach.
High school youth follow a separate track designed to help them encounter Christ and become more active members of the parish community. Activities throughout the year include periodic retreats and conferences, fellowship, prayer, discussion, outreach, and games. Vacation Bible School takes place one week each summer for children age four through fifth grade, with lively interaction, games, snacks, crafts, and drama.
Young adults from high school graduation through age 39 are invited into ministries through Catholic Connect, a faith-sharing group for those ages 20-35, and Veritas, a back-to-basics weekend run by the Diocese of Grand Rapids that deepens understanding of the Catholic Faith.
Adult formation at Holy Redeemer centers on Bible Study, offered Tuesday mornings and Tuesday evenings during the academic year, and a Thursday-evening program called Know Why You Believe. Women's ministry gathers through Blessed is She small groups, a Moms Supporting Moms group, a Women's Advent Night, and a Speaker Series; men's ministry includes small faith sharing groups, a breakfast and speaker series, and the parish's Knights of Columbus council. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) walks those interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation through that process year-round.
A Building Made of Stories
Worship at Holy Redeemer takes place inside a building that the parish has grown and decorated across five decades. The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were designed by Richard Hanley at Omnibus Studio in Okemos and installed on June 29, 1997; the spaces between them are filled with additional figures that the parish has highlighted in a "Stories of Our Statues" collection, beginning with a small statue of Jesus welcoming the children and a statue of Christ at the pillar. Masses, the Children's Choir, the Handbell Choir, the Resurrection Choir, the adult Choir, and the parish band all use the sanctuary and the adjacent music rehearsal room. Shepherd's Hall, the parish's gathering space, hosts hospitality, Golden Redeemers potlucks, and many council meetings, while the Activity Center (the parish gym) hosts Pickleball, Holy Hoops Basketball, Futsal, the Little Flowers Girls Club, and other parish gatherings.
The Seven Sacraments, Plainly Offered
The parish prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Infant Baptism is scheduled with parents after a period of preparation and a six-month registration requirement. First Communion is typically celebrated in second grade, supported by classroom work and retreats. Confirmation preparation takes place during eighth grade and includes a special retreat for candidates. Older children and adults who have not yet been initiated are welcomed through OCIA and the Order of Christian Initiation of Children. Reconciliation is offered weekly and through communal services in Advent and Lent. The Anointing of the Sick is arranged at the start of a serious illness or before surgery. Couples preparing for marriage contact the pastor at least six months in advance. Men discerning priesthood are pointed toward the Diocese of Grand Rapids Office of Priestly Vocations.
An Extensive Community Life
Holy Redeemer takes the stewardship of time, talent, and treasure seriously, and the ministries open to parishioners reflect that. Community Life is anchored by Hospitality, which sets out coffee, donuts, fresh fruit, and bakery after the 8:30 and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses and after the Vigil Mass on the first Saturday of each month. Parish fellowship is deepened by two book clubs, the Between the Leaves Book Club (third Saturday of the month) and the Holy "Read"eemers Book Club (fourth Monday of the month). Golden Redeemers gathers parishioners over 60 for breakfast at a local restaurant on the first Thursday of the month, a potluck on the second Thursday, and Game Days on the third Thursday. The Knights of Columbus Council #7487, with Grand Knight Michael Zomerlei, runs the Blood Drive, the Lenten Fish Fry, the Tootsie Roll Drive for local children with intellectual disabilities, the parish picnic soccer challenge, and the Free Throw Contest. The parish Festival is held in early September each year. There are also dedicated men's ministry and women's ministry (Blessed is She) opportunities, and a Welcome Ministry that meets every new face.
Outreach Across West Michigan and Into Mexico
Redeemers Outreach is the umbrella for the parish's wider work. The Holy Redeemer Food Pantry serves local families in need. Gateway Mission provides hands-on help for those experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids. Love Dinners are prepared on the parish campus and served to neighbors in need. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes locally. Hand2Hand packs weekend food for children in need throughout the school year; Hiking in the City and Picnic in the Park offer accessible social outings. Operation Bounty and Operation Easter Joy support community partners during holiday seasons, and the Giving Tree gathers Christmas gifts for those in need. The Migrant Outreach ministry accompanies local migrant families, and the Parish Twinning ministry maintains a growing relationship with the village of San Miguel Achiutla in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Holy Redeemer's pastoral care also includes Bereavement, Friends Who Care, Meals From The Heart, Prayer Shawls, a Health Ministry Team that offers blood pressure screenings, and Funeral Luncheons, providing meals to grieving families.
Music That Rings Through the Building
The parish music program under Music Director Emily Rogalski includes the adult Choir, the Handbell Choir, the Children's Choir, a Youth Choir, the Resurrection Choir (which sings for funerals), cantors, and instrumentalists. Rehearsals run through the week with the Children's Choir after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, the Handbell Choir on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and the adult Choir on Tuesdays.
Parish Councils and Stewardship
Five councils help guide the parish. The Pastoral Council is a visioning body that meets quarterly to study needs and recommend responses. The Finance Council advises the pastor on budgets and property. The Stewardship Council discovers and communicates insights into Christian discipleship and stewardship as a way of life. The Outreach Council coordinates the parish's wider ministry. The Art and Environment Committee, with its Creative Support and Set-up and Maintenance subgroups, cares for the look of the church building throughout the liturgical year.
Giving and Joining the Parish
Holy Redeemer gives online through Pushpay, where one-time and recurring gifts can be set up, and through electronic payments transferred directly from a donor's bank. New parishioners are asked to register with the parish office; a downloadable registration form and an online form are both available. The parish is also part of the CROSSROADS partnership of area parishes (Holy Redeemer, Holy Name of Jesus, St. Pius X, and St. Sebastian) for adult education and formation.