As announced this past weekend, Bishop Walkowiak has appointed me as pastor of St. John Cantius (Free Soil) effective July 1, 2026. This is in addition to my assignment to St. Ann (Baldwin), St. Bernard (Irons), and St. Ignatius (Luther).

This, of course, will bring changes to our four Catholic churches in this North-Central and North-West portion of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The practical territory that the churches of St. Ann, St. Bernard, St. John Cantius, and St. Ignatius serve is over 1,000 square miles. It has been casually asked why so many churches and so much territory has been entrusted to just ONE priest. In reality, it comes down to demographics: ratio of priests per people. Currently, the Diocese of Grand Rapids has about 1 parish priest per every 3,200 Catholics. As we consider that statistic, our 4 Up North Parishes have a very favorable ratio of parish priest per Catholic. The only “drawback” is that we are spread out over a large swath of the map.

Nonetheless, all four churches remain open, and the holy Mass & other sacraments will be readily available at every church! Please see the new schedule (below) that will come into effect on July 1, 2026.

Please note well that the “Summer Schedule” 6pm Saturday Mass at St. Ann will NOT resume in May.

4pm Saturday Mass at St. Bernard will continue until July.