Bishop
Bishop
Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, J.C.D., is the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He was appointed bishop by Pope Francis on April 18, 2013. He was ordained and installed on June 18, 2013 during Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.

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Office of the Bishop
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Bishops of the Diocese
Diocese
Diocese
The Diocese of Grand Rapids was established on May 19, 1882. The diocese comprises 11 counties of Western Michigan: Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. The diocese serves 175,114 Catholics, and has 80 parishes and 31 schools.

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Ministries
Ministries
Diocesan ministries assist in furthering the mission of the Church in West Michigan and serve as a resource to parishes, individual Catholics and the broader community. These offices exist to foster Catholic identity, engage pastoral leadership, recognize and celebrate diversity, and promote evangelization and ecumenism.

Administration
Black Catholic Ministry
Catholic Charities West Michigan
Catholic Foundation of West Michigan
Catholic Information Center
Child & Youth Protection
Courage/EnCourage
Diaconate Program
Faith Formation
Immigration Legal Services
Liturgical Music
Marriage/Family Life
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Hispanic Ministry
Native American Ministry
Prison and Jail Ministry
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Vocations
Vocations
Each of us is called by God to a life of holiness. Our vocation is the way we live out that call. It’s up to each person to discern through prayer, discussion, reading of Scripture, formation and even spiritual direction where God is calling him/her and to respond generously to his call. Some are called to marriage, others to consecrated or religious life, and still others to holy orders which includes deacons and priests. The Diocese of Grand Rapids is blessed with 105 diocesan priests, 15 priests from religious communities, and eight priests from other dioceses, along with 33 deacons, 28 seminarians, and women religious from 10 orders.

Priests
Priestly Vocations
Deacons
Diaconate Formation
Consecrated Religious Life
Parishes
Parishes
The Diocese of Grand Rapids includes 79 parishes located in cities and towns throughout our 11 counties. Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Parishes
Weekend Mass Times
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Schools
Schools
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 31 vibrant learning communities serving more than 6,400 elementary and high school students throughout West Michigan. Our schools inspire young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. We partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.

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Protecting Gods Children
Protecting God's Children
The Diocese of Grand Rapids is committed to protecting children and adults from harm. Our safe environment program aims to prevent sexual abuse within our community and to help heal the wounds of past victims. All of our programs are in compliance with the USCCB's Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People. If you need to report an instance of abuse, please call the Michigan Attorney General's hotline, 844-324-3374.

Protecting God’s Children
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Prison and Jail Ministry

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MINISTRIES
Prison and Jail Ministry 3

Overview:

Prison and Jail Ministry of the Diocese of Grand Rapids is called to serve by providing a Catholic presence to the incarcerated and those returning from incarceration, within our diocese. This presence comes in the form of Catholic religious services and the sharing of Catholic educational material.

Prison and Jail Ministry has been offered by the Diocese of Grand Rapids for over 40 years. Currently, the ministry serves 21 Correctional Facilities throughout our 11 counties. These correctional facilities include jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers. This ministry has over 100 active priests, deacons and volunteers who bring messages of hope to those affected by incarceration within our diocese. Through our volunteers, we offer 46 weekly services, including Masses, Communion services, RCIA classes, and prayer services.

In addition to our programs within our facilities, Prison and Jail Ministry has a re-entry outreach ministry, GROW (Guiding Returning Citizens to Our World), for people returning from incarceration. GROW helps break the cycle of recidivism by educating parish communities on the spiritual needs and concerns of returned citizens and their families. GROW helps create welcoming faith communities through building awareness and relationships. Through GROW we journey with our Catholic brothers and sisters as they re-enter society and help find them a faith community where they can continue to grow spiritually. Are you interested in joining our ministry? Please contact us at 616-475-1255.

The Michigan Restorative Justice Council & the Restorative Justice Mediation Act

The Michigan Restorative Justice Council (MRJC) was formed as an initiative of the 3rd Annual West Michigan Restorative Justice Conference: Radical Forgiveness. The Council is comprised of judges, lawyers, parole and probation officers, religious leaders, experts in restorative justice, elected officials, victims of crime and returned citizens.

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The MRJC has researched restorative practices within Michigan and throughout the United States. It has developed broad victim/offender mediation strategies and undertaken the work of creating the Restorative Justice Mediation Act. The MRJC hopes its strategies will be converted by policy makers into statutory authority, allowing stakeholders in the criminal justice system to universally implement victim/offender mediation at the various states of our criminal justice process.

The Council will help promote alternative sentencing and offer a path to mercy, forgiveness, healing and restoration pre-adjudication and beyond.

Volunteer Resources

Communion Service Sheets

March Communion Service Sheets

April Communion Service Sheets

Newsletters

PJM March/April Newsletter 2022

PJM January/February Newsletter 2022

Volunteer Schedules / Sign-Ups

Volunteers, please select the appropriate facility below and sign up for your available date and time.

Bishop

Diocese

Ministries

Vocations

Parishes

Schools

Protecting God's Children

Prison and Jail Ministry

Overview:

The Michigan Restorative Justice Council & the Restorative Justice Mediation Act

Volunteer Resources

Communion Service Sheets

Newsletters

Volunteer Schedules / Sign-Ups

March and April 2022

Ionia County

Kent County

Muskegon County

Montcalm County

Newaygo County

Ottawa County

Returning Citizens