Fr Nick's additional contributions:

Fr. Bradley Forintos arrived as Associate Pastor, with duties as part-time chaplain at Cardinal Mooney College Preparatory High School in Marine City. 

1995 saw the development of a youth choir, and the ministry of the Children's Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Masses.  Our outreach to the poor and homeless found its expression in 1995 with our joining the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Teams -- "MCREST."  In 1996, we introduced the parish nursing network, affiliated with Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.  We involve ourselves in other issues of social justice:  adopting a mission high school in Appalachia; making all lay liturgical ministries at St. Mary’s open to Catholic men, women and young adults; hosting a Mass for persons touched by HIV/AIDS; conducting annual prayer vigils for Respect Life; and raising parish salaries up to Archdiocesan standards.

With an anticipated commitment of 5% of our Sunday collection to a vicariate-wide Catholic School subsidy program, St. Mary’s is showing its support of Catholic Education. “Changing Lives Together” gave us the opportunity to reach out to our registered but non-practicing members.  The New Evangelization is taking shape at St. Mary’s.

Our most precious gift St. Mary’s rejoices in are the vocations to the priesthood and to the permanent diaconate.  On June 7, 2014, Fr. John Kopson will be ordained to the diocesan priesthood for the Archdiocese of Detroit.  Since 1999, St. Mary’s has produced four vocations to the permanent diaconate:  Richard Damaske, Bill Schmitz, Mike Oldani and Marc Rybinski.

In 1998, St. Mary's conducted a survey to better meet the spiritual, religious, and material needs of our people.  A pastoral visit by our regional bishop, Bishop Bernard J. Harrington, in November, 1997 resulted in our improved efforts in the areas of evangelization/outreach, the R.C.I.A., stewardship and vocations.  

In 1999 our most pressing challenge is to find the space to accommodate a parish which has doubled in size in only 25 years.  A space needs committee was formed from our Stewardship Commission, and in the Jubilee Year of Christianity, 2000, a building committee was formed.  Unfortunately, the poor economic situation in Michigan and other factors put our expansion plans on hold. Over the years that followed smaller buiding and renovation projects were taken up to meet the immediate needs.   

In May of 2001, St. Mary’s officially celebrated our 125th anniversary as a parish community dedicated to faith, worship and stewardship.  “Living Room Dialogues” and a parish mission nourished the spirit.  Our parish music ministry recorded two C. D.’s featuring our extremely gifted voices and musicians.  Also as part of our Jubilee celebration, our parish choir and music ministry sponsored a concert series and a pilgrimage to Rome, along with the choir of St. Germaine Parish in St. Clair Shores.  

Fr. Nick called us to a deeper understanding of our Catholic Christian heritage, quality worship, ongoing faith formation and responsible stewardship.  He was dilligent in reaching out to our brother and sister Christian churches in the area through ecumenical prayer services and fellowship.  

The people who attend daily services at St. Mary’s offered the recitation of the Rosary and a special prayer for vocations every time they gathered for prayer.  Our adult faith formation opportunities include Bible study groups, and spirituality groups. Past opportunities include RENEW, "Why Catholic?" "Why Are We Catholic?" and "The Great Adventure Bible Series."  Our charismatic prayer group helps to “make holy” the space which we claim as our spiritual home.The local council of the Knights of Columbus have proven time and time again their dedication to their parish, their financial support of the mentally disabled, and their loyalty to their Chaplain, Fr. Nick Zukowski, and to their parish. 

In 2010 a new boiler system was installed in the church.

In 2013 a new Duro-last roof system was installed on the church roof, and a new boiler installed in the faith formation building.  

In 2014 a new Duor-last roof system was installed on the gym roof.