Parish Ministries

Catholic Worker Group
The Stillwater Catholic Worker Community is committed to a philosophy of life exemplified in the lives of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, founders of the movement. They are engaged in practicing the works of mercy in their daily lives. Many activities are designed to include the whole family by educating on Catholic Social teaching and building awareness for the plight of the poor. Our two local homes of hospitality, Blessed Solanus Casey House and Our Lady Queen of Peace House, have served those in need for over 15 years. Please contact Mrs. Deanne Wessel for more information. 

Cemetery Volunteers
Lawnmowers, gardeners, and other outdoor volunteers are always welcome to help maintain our beautiful grounds at St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport. Please contact Ms. Leah Metzger, Cemetery Manager at St. Charles, for more information.

Council of Catholic Women
The women of CCW grow in their faith each year through listening to speakers, participating in charitable works, and partaking in meetings held monthly and with the various “rosary bands” (smaller groups that make up the CCW). Please contact Mrs. Erin Zauner or Mrs. Megan Lu for more information.

Gardening Group
Would you like to offer your green thumb to help make our campus grounds beautiful? Please contact Mrs. Jayne Windnagel (St. Michael's) or St. Marys office (651-439-1270) to learn more about gardening opportunities at our parishes.

Men’s Club
The Men’s Club of St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s held its first Fish Fry during Lent of 2002, a year after the founding of the ministry. They continue to serve dinner on Fridays during Lent, over 4,000 meals per season. The funds generated from the dinners go to support the Club’s philanthropic outreach. Please contact Mr. Bob Simmet for more information.

Mission to Love
There is much confusion concerning the Catholic Church’s response to persons who experience same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria. We know our call and mission to love, to will the good of the other. What does this look like in real life, especially in these situations? This question is especially relevant for parents with children struggling with these topics. As a parent, you don’t have to choose between the Church and your child. It is possible to have a loving and supportive relationship with your children or young adults while not embracing beliefs contrary to the Faith. Please reach out to [email protected] for resources, prayer, and support. All communication will be kept confidential. Find more resources.

Priest Meal Ministry
We are grateful for the generous cooks who faithfully prepare and deliver meals for our priests! To sign-up for making a meal, please visit www.carecalendar.org (Calendar ID: 215802 | Security Code: 9368). Please contact Mrs. Jackie Valerius with any questions at 612-269-7563.

Respect Life Committee
Relying on God’s inspiration and guidance, this group seeks to witness the truth of the Catholic Church on the controversial bioethics and “life issues” of the day, to understand her reasons for these teachings, to share these truths with those who would listen, and to help rebuild a Culture of Life. Please contact Mrs. Sue Kremer for more information.

Seven Sisters &Fasting Brothers Apostolates
The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a call to strengthen the Church by ensuring that a Holy Hour is prayed each day of the week for the sole intention of a specific priest or bishop - a "holy wasting" (cf. Matthew 26:10) or lavishing of prayer for his deeper conformity to Christ. Please contact Mrs. Terri Gaffney for more information about Seven Sisters. For more information regarding Fasting Brothers Apostolate, please contact Mr. Thomas Ryan.

Tanzania Sister Parish
We support our Sister Parish—Immaculate Conception Parish in Bwambo, Tanzania—by developing a lasting relationship, supporting spiritual needs, providing scholarships, and helping with church buildings, medical supplies, and equipment. Please contact Mr. Chuck Stevens for more information.

BeFriender Ministry
It is difficult for our clergy to meet all the pastoral needs of parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes, or those isolated in their own homes due to frail health. The BeFriender Ministry is a national, non-profit organization that provides leadership training and ongoing support for a listening ministry of lay pastoral care in churches, healthcare settings, and other organizations. Please contact Mrs. Joan Mellor, Pastoral Minister, for more information.

Christmas Outreach
The Giving Tree collects Christmas gifts for members of our parishes, for those living at Stillwater Residence, Hope House, and the Catholic Worker Homes. The program also reaches out to those helped by Project Life, our parishes’ St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, and the Missionary Sisters of Charity. Gifts are collected from Thanksgiving through the middle of December for distribution by Christmas. Please contact Mrs. Joan Mellor, Pastoral Minister for more information.

Community Dinner
Come and enjoy dinner on us! Every third Saturday of the month, our tri-parish serves a free meal at St. Michael's Church. We invite you to bring friends and join us for a wonderful evening of food, fellowship, and charity. Please contact Ms. Sue Eskierka for further information.

First Friday Prayers for the Sick
Our daily Masses on the First Friday of the month are offered for those suffering from sickness in our parish community. If you know of someone who would like to be included in our prayers for the sick, please contact Mrs. Joan Mellor, Pastoral Minister, at 651-439-4400 (x248). In accordance with privacy policies, please obtain permission from the person to be included in our prayers for the sick.

Hearing Loops
The new sound system at the Church of St. Michael has an induction loop system! Those with telecoil-equipped hearing aids can receive a direct feed from anything spoken into the microphones. If you have hearing loss and your hearing aids are not telecoil equipped, or if you do not have hearing aids, we still have an FM receiver system available and can provide training. Please call Mr. Joe Kiolbasa with questions at 651-439-3566. Joe is a parishioner who has volunteered to help those with hearing loss as they strive to take advantage of the new systems.

Helping Hand Emergency Fund
Our Helping Hand Emergency Fund assists parishioners who are facing a financial crisis due to job loss, health crisis, separation or divorce, minimum wage employment, or other reasons. Each request for assistance is considered individually and privately. We distribute about $6,000 annually in grants or loans to help with rent, mortgage payments, purchase of medications, energy and household bills, car repair, appliance repair, gas cards, or food gift cards. Special collections at our Thanksgiving and Ash Wednesday Masses help fund this program. Please contact Mrs. Joan Mellor, Pastoral Minister, for more information.

Meal Ministry
Are you recovering from surgery, welcoming a new baby to your family, or needing a hand with regular meals for a time? Please contact  Mrs. Joan Mellor, Pastoral Minister, to learn more about how our parishioners might be able to support you with a meal train.

Pastoral Care to the Bereaved
Please contact Mrs. Joan Mellor, Pastoral Minister if you are in need of someone to talk you through your journey of grief. Our priests, deacon, and trained BeFrienders are ready to support you with scripture readings, support groups, books, and the ministry of presence. Grief support groups are offered for both widows and widowers.

Quilters Guild
This devoted and fun group of quilters meets weekly to lovingly create beautiful quilts which will raise money for St. Mary's Church at the annual Wild Rice Festival. Please contact Mrs. Sandy Groschen for further information.

Resource Preservation Team
All parishioners are welcome to be part of the Resource Preservation Team (RPT) for St. Mary's. Members of the RPT Committee come from various backgrounds and trades as craftsmen and volunteers committed to keeping our 157-year-old church and campus running effectively, working through routine maintenance procedures, and forecasting necessary projects. If you have interest or expertise in any areas of craftsmanship, please contact St. Mary's office at 651-439-1270.

St. Anne's Society
All women of the parish are invited to be a prayerful member of the St. Anne's Society! Please contact Mrs. Helen Christ for more information.

Hospitality Committee
Our Hospitality Committee is happy to foster fellowship and community at our parishes, especially by hosting "Donut Sunday" each month and welcoming new parishioners at our annual welcome brunch. Please contact Mrs. Nan Pederson for more information.

Carmelite Community of Saint Joseph
Under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; in the biblical tradition of the prophet Elijah; and inspired by the teachings of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross; we make a commitment to the Carmelite Order to deepen our Christian commitment received in Baptism; seeking the face of God in prayer and service for the good of the Church and the needs of the world. Please contact Mr. Louie Forti for more information.

Catholic Order of Foresters
COF has served as a Catholic fraternal benefit life insurance society since 1883. Please contact Mr. Richard Schultz for more information.

Communion & Liberation
Faith, lived out in communion, is the foundation of the true liberation of man. Communion and Liberation offers a proposal for education in the Catholic faith. The School of Community teaches a method of constant comparison between the Christian proposal and one's own life in order to continually verify its capacity to respond to human needs in every aspect of reality. Please contact Mr. Sam Nelson for more information.

Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts
Through St. Michael's Cub Scout Pack 132 and Boy Scout Troop 132, boys learn through the experiences of camping, hiking, adventure, and community service. Scouting fosters self-esteem, a sense of value and belonging, a sense of accountability, and teamwork. Please contact Mr. Jim Thomson for more information.

Holy Face Prayer Group
This group fosters devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus through Tuesdays of Reparation, communal recitation of the Chaplet of the Holy Face, and fellowship. Please contact Mrs. Kelly Duncan for more information.

Knights of Columbus, Solanus Casey Council #1632
The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic fraternal service organization, standing for the four principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Our council includes about 350 members from all around the St. Croix River Valley. Please contact Mr. John McDonald, Grand Knight, for more information.

Legion of Mary
Mary, Our Lady of the St. Croix Praesidium is a lay apostolate seeking to lead people to Jesus Christ through Mary. This sanctification process takes place through prayer and service by performing Spiritual Works of Mercy. Please contact Mrs. Nancy Kiolbasa (St. Michael's) or Mr. Thomas Ryan (St. Mary's) for further information.

Schoenstatt
This worldwide institute is an educational movement intent on restoring our reliance on God while using our blessings, skills, and knowledge to help our family, our church, and our neighbors. Schoenstatt is connected through a network of Marian shrines and individual home shrines. Please contact Mr. Jay Goetz for further information.

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Vincentians share a compassionate concern for those in need and seek the presence of Christ in them with open hearts. They meet with parish visitors who have immediate needs by arranging for lodging, transportation, or a meal. For more involved needs (such as housing or utility problems), pairs of Vincentians undertake home visits. If you would like to be part of this faith-based, person-to-person opportunity to serve Christ in the person of the needy, please contact Mr. Bob Norris.