About Assumption · Barnesville, Minnesota
Assumption Catholic Church is a Roman Rite parish in Barnesville, Minnesota, part of the Diocese of Crookston and serving a small farming community of about 2,500 people on the southeastern edge of the Red River Valley. The parish is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and shares its pastoral care with its mission church, St. Cecilia's in nearby Sabin. Worship is offered daily (Tuesday–Friday), with weekend Masses Saturday evening and Sunday morning, and every Mass is live-streamed on the parish's Facebook page so homebound parishioners can stay connected. The parish also reaches beyond its walls by celebrating weekly Mass at Valley Care & Rehab and operating a Religious Education program for ages 4 through 11th grade.
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption of Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Todd Arends
- Diocese
- Diocese of Crookston
Why belong here
Assumption offers a close-knit, small-town Catholic community in Barnesville where families genuinely know one another and are supported through every stage of life. Worship is offered six days a week, with weekday and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, and Saturday confession — and every Mass is live-streamed on Facebook so the homebound and elderly can still gather virtually with their parish family. Children are welcomed into Religious Education from age 4 through Confirmation in 11th grade, and the parish extends its care to neighbors at Valley Care & Rehab and Golden Manor with weekly nursing-home Masses.
Mass times at Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:40 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (per catholicmasstime.org)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (in the church)
- Wednesday 5:30 PM Mass & Adoration at St. Cecilia's, Sabin
Welcome to Assumption Catholic Church
Assumption Catholic Church is a small, welcoming Roman Catholic parish nestled in Barnesville, Minnesota — a community of about 2,500 people on the southeastern edge of the Red River Valley. The parish describes itself as a 'Welcome Home' parish, livestreaming every Mass on Facebook so that parishioners at home or away can still gather with their parish family. Worship is offered six days a week, and the parish also celebrates Mass weekly at Valley Care & Rehab and at its mission church, St. Cecilia's in nearby Sabin.
- Part of the Diocese of Crookston
- Mission parish: St. Cecilia's, Sabin, MN
- Live-streamed Masses on Facebook (no account required)
- Pastoral care extends to Valley Care & Rehab and homebound parishioners
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Assumption's Religious Education Program serves youth ages 4 through 11th grade, running from September through May. Sunday Faith Formation classes meet immediately after Mass from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM each Sunday, and Confirmation preparation begins in the fall on Sunday mornings. The program prepares children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is celebrated in 11th grade each year. All families participating in parish programs must be registered in the parish; cancellations due to weather are announced on local radio and TV stations.
- Pre-K: Erica Halverson, Nicole Lien
- Grades 1 & 2: Adriana Jenkins, Cassie Remple
- Grades 3 & 4: Tabitha Syverson, Emma Grotluschen
- Grades 5 & 6: Sara Lien, Susan Pautzke
- Grades 7 & 8: Zach Remple, Tina Quiggle
- Grades 9–11 (Confirmation): Rachel Green, Michelle Brown
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist: 2nd grade
- Confirmation: 11th grade
Parish Ministries & Liturgical Roles
Parishioners serve the liturgy in a number of volunteer ministries. The music ministry is led by organist Cary Zepper, while a team of lectors and Eucharistic Ministers assist at Mass. The parish also coordinates a live-streaming team that broadcasts every Mass on Facebook — an important ministry for homebound parishioners and those in local nursing homes.
- Organist: Cary Zepper
- Lectors (parish readers)
- Eucharistic Ministers: Frank Kava, Victoria Lau, Phyllis Peppel, Janna and others
- Music ministry / Musicians
- Live-streaming / Facebook ministry
- Nursing-home ministry at Valley Care & Rehab
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff. Fr. Todd Arends is the current pastor; Theresa Renecker serves as Administrative Secretary and Bookkeeper and is the main point of contact for parish business. Staff can be reached at (218) 354-7320.
- Pastor: Fr. Todd Arends
- Administrative Secretary / Bookkeeper: Theresa Renecker
- Phone: 218-354-7320
- Office hours: Mon & Fri 8:40 AM–12:00 PM; Tue 8:40 AM–3:00 PM (staff meeting morning); Wed & Thu 8:40 AM–3:00 PM
Joining the Parish
Newcomers are warmly welcomed into the parish family. When registering, families are asked to bring a copy of their child's baptism certificate and their marriage certificate for parish records. Registration in the parish is also required for families whose children take part in the parish's Religious Education programs.
- Bring a copy of child's baptism certificate
- Bring a copy of marriage certificate
- Registration required for participation in Religious Education programs
Live Streaming & Online Giving
The parish live-streams every Mass on its Facebook page (Assumption Catholic Church), and emphasizes that viewers do not need a Facebook account to watch — particularly important for older parishioners or those who feel they cannot participate otherwise. Online giving is also available for parish support.
- Live-streamed Mass every day on Facebook
- No Facebook account required to view
- Online giving available through the parish website
History of the Parish
Assumption has been part of Barnesville since the 19th century. The City of Barnesville's local history records that 'Education in Barnesville began in 1870 with a private school. The first public school building was eventually purchased by the Assumption Church and a second was built in 1891,' showing the parish's early civic role. Monsignor Stanley C. Bourassa pastored Assumption and St. Cecilia's, Sabin from 1991 until his retirement in 1999, and directed a church addition at Barnesville during his tenure. He was succeeded by Father Gary LaMoine, with Father Todd Arends the current pastor.
- Parish IRS ruling date as religious organization: March 1946
- 1891: Parish purchased first Barnesville public school building and built a second
- 1991–1999: Msgr. Stanley C. Bourassa served as pastor (and directed a church addition)
- After 1999: parish served by Fr. Gary LaMoine, now by Fr. Todd Arends
Mission Parish: St. Cecilia's, Sabin
St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Sabin, Minnesota is a mission parish of Assumption. It shares pastoral care and offers Mass on Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM (with Adoration) and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. St. Cecilia's also has its own website and parish identity, but is served by the pastor and staff of Assumption in Barnesville.
- Address: Holloway Ave. S, Sabin, MN 56580
- Sunday Mass: 10:30 AM (no live-stream)
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM Mass & Adoration
- Website: stceciliascatholicchurch.org
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Assumption Catholic Church by phone, email, or in person during office hours. The church sits on Front Street North in Barnesville, in the heart of this small Red River Valley community.
- Address: 307 Front Street N, Barnesville, MN 56514
- Mailing: PO Box 339, Barnesville, MN 56514-0339
- Phone: (218) 354-7320
- Email: [email protected]
- Websites: assumptioncatholicchurchbarnesville.weebly.com and assumptionbarnesville.org
- Facebook: Assumption Catholic Church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Stanley C. Bourassa1991–1999
Served Assumption and St. Cecilia's, Sabin; directed a church addition at Barnesville during his tenure; retired July 1, 1999.
- Rev. Gary LaMoine
Listed as pastor of Assumption in the Diocese of Crookston parish directory (2014).
- Fr. Todd Arends
Current pastor per the parish's official website.