St. Mary Our Lady of the Snows anchors the south side of Milford, Michigan, where the parish campus occupies the corner of East Commerce Street and Burns Road. From a single location the parish serves more than 2,500 households and roughly 8,000 individual Catholics, making it the largest Catholic community in northern Oakland County. With weekend Mass offered Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, daily Mass every weekday, a faith formation program that runs from kindergarten through high school, and a parish choir that has sung for a pope, St. Mary carries the weight of its history and the energy of an active parish at the same time.
The parish takes its long title from an early church legend of a miraculous summer snowfall on a hill in Rome, the site that became the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The reason the founders of the Milford parish chose the name has been lost to history, but the dedication to the Blessed Mother remains central to parish identity, and the August 5 feast of the Dedication of that Roman basilica is honored on the parish calendar each year.
Mass and Confession Times
Weekend Mass is offered Saturday at 5:00 pm and on Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 12:00 noon. The 10:00 am Sunday Mass on the third Sunday of each month is celebrated as a Youth Mass, with teens of the parish serving in the liturgical roles. Daily Mass runs Monday at 7:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 am, and Saturday at 8:30 am. A 5:00 pm Mass is added on the first Friday of each month, immediately following that day's Eucharistic Adoration. On Holy Days the parish offers Mass at 9:00 am and 7:00 pm.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Monday at 6:00 pm, Wednesday at 8:30 am, and Saturday at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, with the Saturday 4:00 pm slot ending before Holy Saturday. Communal Penance services are held during Advent and Lent. Appointments for confession outside of those hours can be made by calling the Parish Office.
Visitors are welcome at St. Mary. The parish asks simply that guests arrive a bit early to get settled, dress modestly, and avoid bringing food or drink into the sanctuary. When entering, dipping fingers in the holy water font and making the sign of the cross is a traditional gesture. Genuflecting toward the tabernacle upon entering a pew is customary. Visitors who are not Catholic are invited to come forward at Communion time with arms crossed over the chest to receive a blessing instead of the Eucharist. The parish recommends simply paying attention to whom one is praying and joining in the responses, especially the closing "Amen," whenever possible.
A 135-Year Journey in Faith
The Catholic story in Milford begins long before the parish itself was founded. Ten Irish families fleeing the famine settled in the Milford area in the early 1840s, shortly after Michigan became a state, and initially traveled to Dublin Chapel in Union Lake for Mass. The first Catholic Mass in Milford was celebrated on October 11, 1863, on the upper floor of Morrison's General Store at Commerce and Main Street. Seven years later, in 1870, a white frame New England-style church was built on what became known as "Catholic Hill," on the current site of St. Mary's Cemetery, where the Catholics of Milford worshipped for the next 37 years as a mission served by priests from St. Vincent de Paul in Pontiac. By 1889 the mission had grown to 40 families.
The parish was officially established in January 1890 when Father James Hally was appointed resident pastor. Father Hally was succeeded in 1895 by Father George Clarson and in 1901 by Father Thomas Lee. In 1902 Father Hally's brother Thomas returned as pastor and signed a contract in June 1903 to build a new church at East Commerce and Hickory Street. The resulting stone church was dedicated on July 7, 1907, with Detroit Bishop John Foley presiding at the Solemn High Mass and the founding pastor preaching the sermon. That stone church served the parish for nearly six decades.
The Stone Church era brought other firsts. In 1915 St. Joseph in South Lyon became a mission of St. Mary, a responsibility the parish would carry for fifty years until South Lyon became a parish of its own in 1965. In 1926 St. Rita in Holly was added as a mission. In 1929 Father Dolan led the parish in building the fieldstone rectory on East Commerce, just west of the church. The Franciscan Sisters of Atonement began making a weekly trip to Milford in 1947 for religious instruction, and in 1949 moved to a house behind the Stone Church that became the Convent.
The current worship space at the corner of Burns Road and Commerce Road took shape in two phases. Construction of the so-called "Prototype Church" began in 1966 and was dedicated by Archbishop John Dearden on January 7, 1967. By 1972 the old stone church had been outgrown; in 1975 plans were drawn up for an auditorium-style church with seating for 700, and the prototype structure was converted into meeting rooms, religious education offices, a library, and a social hall. Cardinal Dearden dedicated the new sanctuary on July 31, 1976. The current rectory was built shortly after the prototype was finished. In 1983 the parish acquired bells from St. Leo in Detroit and completed the Bell Tower that still stands beside the church; Bishop Dale Melczek dedicated it in October of that year.
The past quarter-century has added its own layers to the parish. In 1996 the Parish Choir traveled to Rome, met Pope John Paul II, and sang at a Papal Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. In 2005 a new organ was installed, raising the quality of the parish's music for the years to follow. In 2011 artist Mark Eckel created the massive portrait of the face of Jesus that has become a focal point of the Christian art that adorns the church. Monsignor John Budde became the 14th pastor in 2013, and the parish celebrated its 125th anniversary throughout 2015, highlighted by an outdoor Mass and picnic, an art show by the parish youth, a new pictorial directory, and a concluding Mass with Archbishop Allen Vigneron.
The Pastoral Team
Two priests serve the parish today. Father Tomy Kattikanayil is the pastor. Father Placido Pereira serves as associate pastor. Both can be reached through the Parish Office.
The lay staff supporting the parish is led by Denette Plant as Faith Formation Coordinator and Jennifer Beard as Youth Minister. Kurt Dicksen directs the music ministry. Silvana Rodolfo serves as Worship Coordinator, coordinating liturgical ministers and the parish schedule. Deb Vellucci leads Family and Community Outreach, including the Twelve Months of Giving and the Christian Service programs. Karrah Valassis handles Marketing and Communications. Faith Formation inquiries can be directed to faithformation@stmarymilfordmi.org or by calling the Faith Formation Office, and youth ministry inquiries go to youthministry@stmarymilfordmi.org.
The Seven Sacraments
St. Mary celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments on a regular basis. Baptisms of infants and young children take place either at a group celebration on the third Sunday of each month at 1:30 pm, following the noon Mass, or privately during a Saturday 5:00 pm or Sunday noon Mass by arrangement with the pastor. Parents and godparents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class, currently offered via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. A birth certificate with the county seal is kept on file at the parish. Parents of children aged seven or older seeking Baptism contact the Faith Formation Office for the catechumenate process.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically celebrated in second grade, after two consecutive years of formal religious formation, attendance at parent meetings, a readiness evaluation signed by parents, and a family retreat. Preparation uses the Saint Mary's Press Go Seek Find program, with the Catholic Children's Bible as the core text. The First Communion celebration is held in early May, following a Saturday rehearsal the day before. The parish provides detailed dress guidance: boys wear a white oxford shirt, navy or black dress pants, a belt, and dark dress shoes; girls wear a white dress below the knee with covered shoulders and white shoes. Gloves, books, rosaries, and bridal-style headpieces are not permitted during Mass.
Confirmation is offered on a readiness basis to students in grades 8 through 10. Preparation is in addition to ongoing faith formation and includes a registration meeting, sponsor verification, a saint poster and report, community service hours, sponsor and candidate meetings, a faith journey reflection, a Saturday gathering in March, a letter to the bishop, and a rehearsal before the celebration, which is typically in late April. Candidates must be registered members of the Family of Parishes that includes St. Mary of Milford, St. Patrick of White Lake, Holy Spirit of Highland, and St. Perpetua of Waterford.
The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in a parish Mass each spring and is also available on request through the Parish Office. Couples seeking marriage at St. Mary must be registered parishioners for at least six months before the desired date, meet with a pastor, and complete an approved marriage preparation program. Couples who have been civilly married may have their marriage validated in a church ceremony. Holy Orders discernment is welcomed, and those interested are encouraged to contact the Parish Office. Sacramental certificates for baptism, first communion, confirmation, and marriage can be requested through the Parish Office; certificates are mailed only to the individual named on the certificate, a parent or guardian, or a requesting parish.
Music Ministry: From Milford to St. Peter's
Music is a signature element of parish life at St. Mary. The Parish Choir, founded in 1990 under the direction of Steven J. Hansen and now led by Music Director Kurt Dicksen, sings at the 10:00 am Sunday Mass from October through May and at major liturgies including Confirmation, the Mass for the Deceased Members of the Parish, Christmas Midnight Mass, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, the Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday morning, and the Anointing of the Sick Mass. Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Music Room 3. The choir is open to high school students and adults, requires no auditions, and welcomes part-time singers who join only for the fall or winter seasons. There are a few "snowbirds" in the choir, and the group especially needs singers in the winter months when regulars are away.
In 1996 the choir traveled to Rome and sang for a Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and for Pope John Paul II at the weekly Papal Audience. The current ensemble has grown to nearly 50 singers from its original 11, and the 2005 organ installation has supported their music in the years since.
GraceSong is a smaller contemporary ensemble of adults with vocal and instrumental ability, providing music for the noon Sunday Mass and encouraging full congregational participation. A third ensemble, the New Covenant Youth Ensemble, also exists for teens who want to serve the parish through music.
Adoration, the Rosary, and Devotional Life
Eucharistic Adoration is offered every Friday from 1:00 to 4:50 pm, with Benediction at 4:50 pm and the First Friday Mass following at 5:00 pm. Parishioners are encouraged to commit to a holy hour; volunteers sign up for one hour or more to pray before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the Monstrance. A Holy Hour of Adoration with Praise and Worship is celebrated on the third Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, and a Holy Hour of Reparation is observed on the first Friday from 3:45 to 4:45 pm.
The Holy Rosary is prayed before each daily Mass, beginning a half hour before Mass, in a parishioner-led devotion. Our Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion follows the Wednesday morning Mass at approximately 9:45 am. The parish also observes a Respect Life Novena each year from October 22 through October 30, joining Catholics nationwide in praying for the protection of human life from conception to natural death.
The Intercessory Prayer Ministry accepts prayer requests online and through a prayer box located in the narthex. Ministers pray over parishioners after all Masses on the second weekend of every month and respond to submitted requests throughout the week, praying for the intentions placed in the box as well as the names emailed to the ministry.
Faith Formation from Kindergarten through High School
The Faith Formation Office organizes classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade, with separate programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. The K-5 program uses the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, the only liturgically based catechetical program for children in the Catholic market, which follows the Sunday Gospel each week. Kindergarten meets Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Grades 1 through 5 meet either Tuesday afternoons from 4:45 to 6:00 pm or Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30 pm. At-home learning is available for families who prefer it, with weekly lesson packets and online assessments submitted each Saturday at noon.
The Middle School program, called EDGE, meets Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:15 pm during the school year and is built around small group discussion, catechetical teaching, and monthly youth Masses. Students are expected to attend 80 percent of gatherings and to complete 10 hours of community service at the parish each year. High school students gather through LifeTeen, a bi-weekly Sunday evening program from 6:00 to 8:00 pm that combines prayer, engaging talks, games, activities, and small group time.
Children's Liturgy of the Word is celebrated during the 10:00 am Sunday Mass for children aged three through six (preschool and kindergarten), who are called forward by the presider and led to a separate space for an age-appropriate Gospel celebration before returning to their parents for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Children's Liturgy runs from September through May with a summer break.
Vacation Bible School has been offered at the parish since 1991. The week-long summer program brings together Bible stories, games, and friendship for children of the parish and the surrounding community.
Adult Formation and OCIA
Adult faith formation at St. Mary takes several forms. Walking with Purpose is the parish's women's Bible study, with daytime and evening sessions during the program year. C.H.R.I.S.T. Young Adults is a Bible study and fellowship group for adults aged roughly 18 to 30, where the name stands for Christianity, History, Rites, Intercessory Prayers, Saints, and Theology. The Thursday Morning Men's Fellowship gathers weekly for coffee, donuts, prayer, and enrichment and welcomes questions and doubts in a judgment-free setting. The Thursday Afternoon Prayer Group meets at 1:00 pm to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and other traditional prayers.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, the renewed name for the adult catechumenate) welcomes non-baptized adults, baptized Christians from other denominations, and uncatechized Catholics who wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Inquiry sessions are ongoing. Children aged seven and older who have not been baptized follow a parallel process through the Faith Formation Office.
Christian Service: A Year of Giving
St. Mary Parish organizes a Twelve Months of Giving calendar in which parishioners donate specific items for local charities throughout the year. School supplies go to children in need at the start of the academic year. Blankets, hats, gloves, and socks are collected for Carriage Town Ministries in Flint. Thanksgiving baskets provide a holiday meal for local families. The Giving Tree at Christmas provides gifts to children who would otherwise go without. Easter baskets go to Children's Village. Pet food is collected for Community Sharing clients who have animals to feed. Baby items support Wee Care Pregnancy Center. Full-size toiletry items are donated to Haven Ministry. Donations are dropped off in the Courtyard Lobby during the collection dates.
Parishioners Helping Parishioners is the parish's mutual aid network, matching volunteers with parishioners who need transportation, snow shoveling, food shopping, or other assistance. The parish also tithes Sunday collections through an Outreach Committee for distribution to local, national, and international charities and programs, a practice begun in 1992.
The parish has a long history of mission work. Parishioners traveled to Honduras from 1995 through 1999, taking the good news of Jesus Christ to communities in Central America. St. Mary teens have participated in mission trips to the Appalachian region since 2008. Since 2010 parishioners have traveled to the Hope Warming Center in Pontiac to serve hot meals to the homeless. The parish also partners with many local service organizations, including Community Sharing Outreach Center, Haven of Oakland County, Hospitality House Food Pantry, the Knights of Columbus, the Order of the Alhambra, La Casa de las Madres, Open Door Outreach Center, United Way, and the 211 referral line.
The Health and Homebound Ministries bring Communion to Catholics at West Hickory Haven, Medilodge, Huron Valley Hospital, American House, Riverside Retirement, and to homebound parishioners in their homes. Ministers visit on a weekly or monthly rotation, assist with a monthly Mass and weekly Rosary at the facilities, and are supported by a card ministry that mails notes to those on the parish sick list. The parish also organizes Meals on Wheels delivery one week each month for Milford residents, and St. Vincent de Paul is active in the parish through both home visits and a monthly meeting.
The Prayer Quilt Ministry, founded in 1995 and known until recently as Prayers & Squares, is chapter 48 of Prayers & Squares International. Volunteers sew and tie quilts for those in need of prayer, with more than 600 quilts produced to date. The group meets twice monthly from September through June, with first Fridays devoted to informational meetings and Sew Tuesdays to hands-on work with machines or by hand. The ministry also sells sewn items at the November church craft show to fund its outreach efforts.
A Grief and Loss Support Group meets on Thursday mornings for eight-week sessions in Room 10 of the parish offices, providing a confidential setting to explore the mourning process. Registration is required through the Parish Office.
Liturgical Ministries and Parish Volunteers
Parishioners serve the liturgy in many roles. Altar servers, who must be in fourth grade or above and have received First Communion, assist the priest at Mass. Adult altar servers assist at weekday Masses and funeral Masses. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass and other services and must be confirmed. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ to the assembly and to the homebound; certification through the Archdiocese of Detroit is required. Sacristans prepare the altar, liturgical vessels, bread, wine, Missal, and Lectionary before Mass. Greeters welcome parishioners at the door, and ushers assist with seating, the collection, and the procession. The Children's Liturgy leader, Music Ministry, Rosary Ministry, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, and Decorating Committee are additional liturgical and devotional roles.
Hospitality roles include Coffee Social after Mass on the second weekend of the month, where parishioners and guests gather in the parish hall for coffee, donuts, and conversation; funeral luncheon food preparation and service; and the Wedding Coordinator who directs rehearsal and ceremony support for couples marrying at the parish. Outside the sanctuary, the Church Beautification committees care for seasonal decorations and living plants, with extra volunteers welcome during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
Online Giving, Livestream, and Communication
Mass and devotional services are livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel, with recordings archived for later viewing on the archive channel. Online giving is processed through ParishSoft Giving and can be set up as a one-time gift or as a recurring donation tied to a pay period. Contributions can also be placed in the offertory basket at Mass or dropped off at the Parish Office. Parish bulletins are available online through the bulletins page. The parish uses ParishSoft for member registration and recordkeeping, and families update their information through the same system.
Becoming a Parishioner
Anyone wishing to register as a parishioner can do so through the New Members page; parish registration is especially helpful when a family is preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, or Marriage. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and the parish can be reached by phone at (248) 685-1482 or by email at parishoffice@stmarymilfordmi.org. The church is located at 1955 East Commerce Street in Milford, Michigan.