About Church of Saint Henry · Monticello, Minnesota
Saint Henry Catholic Church is a welcoming parish in Monticello, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish serves a growing community along the I-94 corridor northwest of the Twin Cities, celebrating Mass in both English and Spanish and offering near-perpetual Eucharistic Adoration six days a week. With robust faith formation for every age — from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for preschoolers through adult OCIA — plus an active youth ministry, a parish pastoral council, and a parish cemetery, Saint Henry is a full-life parish rooted in more than a century of local Catholic history and housed in a church dedicated in 1999 that carries sacred elements from earlier buildings.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- Saint Henry (of Bavaria), Holy Roman Emperor (972–1024)
- Rector
- Father Patrick Barnes
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Saint Henry is a bilingual parish (English and Spanish) with a near-perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel open from Sunday at 6:00 PM through Friday at midnight. It offers faith formation for every age — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3–6, weekly classes for grades 1–8, the Fyshbowl youth ministry for grades 6 and up, and the OCIA process for adults and children. With a parish cemetery, a welcoming team, a men's faith-sharing group, and an active Parish Pastoral Council, new parishioners find a parish that welcomes them into the full sacramental and devotional life of the Church.
Mass times at Church of Saint Henry
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:15 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM
- Saturday: 3:45–4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Sundays 6:00 PM through Fridays 11:59 PM (continuous adoration)
- Monday through Friday: all day (12:00 AM – 11:59 PM)
History of Saint Henry Catholic Church
Catholic settlers arrived in the Monticello area as early as 1855, but the parish community formally began in 1910 when an old schoolhouse was purchased and converted into the area's first church. Growth came in stages: a cemetery was added in 1918, a convent and school in 1937, and a larger church in 1954. By 1990 the parish had again outgrown its home, and the present church was dedicated on November 7, 1999. The new building's design emerged from parish-wide dialogue and reflects 'love of God's creation and hospitality.' Sacred elements from the 1954 church — the Stations of the Cross, the Holy Family statue, and the Coronation of Mary stained glass — were carried into the new sanctuary.
- 1855: First Catholic settlers arrive in the Monticello area
- 1910: Old schoolhouse purchased as first church
- 1918: Parish cemetery added
- 1937: Convent and school opened
- 1954: Larger church built
- Nov 7, 1999: Current church dedicated
Architecture & Sacred Art
The 1999 church was intentionally designed through parish dialogue to reflect hospitality and reverence for creation. Beneath the altar sits a stone symbolizing the rock upon which the Church is founded, inspired by the rock in front of the altar at the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. Several beloved pieces from the former church were retained: the Stations of the Cross, the statue of the Holy Family, and the stained glass window depicting the Coronation of Mary.
- Altar stone inspired by the Gethsemane rock
- Stations of the Cross (carried over from 1954 church)
- Statue of the Holy Family
- Stained glass window of the Coronation of Mary
Patron Saint
The parish is named for Saint Henry of Bavaria (972–1024), successively Duke of Bavaria, King of Germany, and Holy Roman Emperor. Saint Henry is known for rebuilding churches and founding monasteries, including the Cathedral of Bamberg, which he built with his wife Saint Cunegunda. He is the patron saint of the childless, dukes, the handicapped, and those rejected by religious orders. His feast day is July 13.
- Born 972, died 1024
- Founded the Cathedral of Bamberg with St. Cunegunda
- Patron of the childless, dukes, the handicapped, and those rejected by religious orders
- Feast Day: July 13
Faith Formation for Children & Youth
Saint Henry offers Catholic formation for every age from preschool through high school. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based atrium program for children ages 3–6, meeting Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Children in grades 1–6 gather on Wednesday evenings, using the Ignatius Press Faith & Life Series and the 'Encounter' middle-school Bible study. Seventh- and eighth-graders meet Wednesdays 7:15–8:30 PM, and a Discipleship Group for 9th–12th graders meets at the same time. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Reconciliation is offered in 2nd grade and older; Confirmation is a two-year preparation typically begun in 9th grade.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6)
- 1st–6th Grade Faith Formation — Wednesdays 5:45–7:00 PM
- 7th–8th Grade Faith Formation — Wednesdays 7:15–8:30 PM
- Discipleship Group (9th–12th) — Wednesdays 7:15–8:30 PM
- First Communion & Reconciliation prep (age 7 / 2nd grade+)
- Confirmation prep (9th–12th grade, two-year process)
- Contact: Audrey Davis, Coordinator of Faith Formation, 763-271-3077
Youth Ministry — The Fyshbowl
The parish's youth ministry, called the Fyshbowl ('For the Youth of Saint Henry'), exists to lead teens to Christ by building relationships, leading them into encounters with Christ, teaching the Deposit of Faith, and mentoring them as disciples. Open to students in 6th grade and up, it is led by Mary Roberg, the parish Youth Minister.
- Mission: to lead teens to Christ, teach the Deposit of Faith, and mentor as disciples
- Contact: Mary Roberg, [email protected], 763-271-3092
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults seeking membership in the Catholic faith are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children (OCIA). The adult process begins with several weeks of inquiry, moves into the Catechumenate during which candidates reflect on the Sunday Scripture readings, and proceeds through additional phases leading to Easter. Weekly formation sessions are held on Thursday evenings from September until shortly after Easter. Children and youth ages 7–14 participate in the parish faith formation program along with sessions focused on the Sacraments of Initiation. Faithful parishioners are needed as mentors and sponsors for candidates and catechumens.
- OCIA sessions on Thursday evenings, September through Easter
- Children/youth ages 7–14 participate in OCIA alongside faith formation
- Mentors and sponsors needed
- Contact: Vikki Buck, [email protected], 763-271-3072
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor and deacon, plus a team of lay staff coordinating faith formation, youth ministry, business operations, and Latino ministry.
- Father Patrick Barnes — Pastor ([email protected], 763-271-3073)
- Deacon Mike Engel — Deacon ([email protected], 763-306-5586)
- Mary Roberg — Business Administrator & Youth Minister (763-271-3092)
- Vikki Buck — Adult Formation & OCIA Coordinator (763-271-3072)
- Audrey Davis — Coordinator of Faith Formation (763-271-3077)
- Sue Kunkel — Administrative Assistant, Faith Formation, Safe Environment Coordinator (763-271-3082)
- Taylor Eliason — Bookkeeper (763-271-3074)
- Susan Holmes — Receptionist (763-295-2402)
- Milady Figueroa — Latino Ministry Coordinator (763-271-3071)
- Ken Stoick — Custodian
- Brian & Marilyn Vetsch — Cemetery
- Brad Holzapfel — Grounds Maintenance
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that discerns the movement of the Holy Spirit in the parish and advises the Pastor. Council members serve as liaisons to parish ministries, helping implement the parish vision and mission. Members serve three-year terms; new members are nominated from the parish at large and begin in July. Meetings are open to anyone and are usually held on the third Tuesday of the month after Mass.
- Chair: Donny Lill
- Co-Chair: Renee Berens
- Secretary: Brian Lutes
- Members: Dean Flicker, Michelle Rosnow, Jill Nelson, Melissa Anderson, Judy Ashley, Tim Davis, Karen Dehmer, Ryan Graham, Dick Frie, and Father Barnes
- Meets monthly, usually the third Tuesday after Mass
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond formation and liturgy, the parish supports a wide range of lay-led ministries and service opportunities for adults and families. A New Member Welcoming Team greets those registering with the parish, a Men's Faith Sharing Group gathers for prayer and study, and the First Friday Book group supports ongoing devotional reading. Building Maintenance, Cleaning, and Grounds Maintenance volunteers keep the church and cemetery in shape year-round. The parish also hosts a Latino Ministry coordinated by Milady Figueroa.
- New Member Welcoming Team
- Men's Faith Sharing Group
- First Friday Book
- Building Maintenance
- Cleaning
- Grounds Maintenance
- Latino Ministry (Milady Figueroa, 763-271-3071)
Contact, Location & Office Hours
The parish office is located at 1001 East 7th Street, Monticello, MN 55362, and can be reached at 763-295-2402 or [email protected]. Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Wednesday 1:00–5:00 PM, and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. The office closes for a lunch break from 12:30–1:00 PM. Newcomers are warmly invited to register by contacting the office.
- Address: 1001 East 7th Street, Monticello, MN 55362
- Phone: 763-295-2402
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 9–5, Wed 1–5, Fri 9–12 (closed for lunch 12:30–1:00 PM)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Barnes
Current pastor. Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa; studied business management and public relations at the University of Northern Iowa; worked in distribution of industrial pipe, valves, and fittings before entering seminary in Minnesota. Ordained in 2010. Previously served at Saint Charles Borromeo in Saint Anthony Village and seven years at Saint Nicholas in New Market.