About Holy Name of Jesus · Medina, Minnesota
Holy Name of Jesus is a Catholic parish in Medina, Minnesota (with a Wayzata mailing address) in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Its roots stretch back to 1856, when missionary priests began celebrating Mass in pioneer homes, and the parish was formally incorporated in 1864. For more than 150 years it was administered by Benedictine priests from St. John's Abbey before becoming an archdiocesan parish in 2007. Today the parish serves over 2,700 families, runs an associated K-6 Catholic school (founded 1919), and lives out a mission to 'Know the heart of Christ, See the face of Christ, Be the hands of Christ.'
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Tim Wratkowski
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus is a vibrant, mission-driven community of more than 2,700 families centered on the Eucharist and shaped by St. Benedict's call to 'Welcome all as you would welcome Christ.' New parishioners are personally welcomed at biannual Big Small Dinners where they meet the priests and other parishioners over a meal (with childcare provided), and they can plug into more than 80 active ministries — from faith formation for children and youth to music, liturgical service, and outreach partnerships with Interfaith Outreach (IOCP) and Ascension Parish and School in North Minneapolis. Daily Mass, a robust Adoration chapel (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:30 am–9 pm), and the parish school (K–6) make HNOJ a place to worship, learn, serve, and put down roots.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
- Saturday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Saturday Vigil 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
- By appointment — contact Cheri Quast at the parish office
Adoration times
- Monday 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Chapel open for prayer during building hours (drop-in adoration welcome, sign up for a regular hour at hnoj.weadorehim.com)
Parish Identity & Mission
Holy Name of Jesus Parish is a dynamic Catholic community of more than 2,700 families rooted in the Gospel and Catholic tradition since 1864. Centered on the Eucharist, its mission is to 'Know the heart of Christ, See the face of Christ, Be the hands of Christ.' The community embraces St. Benedict's call to 'Welcome all as you would welcome Christ' through uplifting liturgies, engaging ministries, and outreach to those in need.
- Mission: Know the heart of Christ. See the face of Christ. Be the hands of Christ.
- Benedictine-inspired hospitality: 'Welcome all as you would welcome Christ.'
- Over 2,700 families
- More than 80 active ministries
- Part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
History of Holy Name of Jesus
Catholic life in Medina began in 1856 when the Rev. George Keller walked from St. Paul to say Mass at the home of George Reiser. Bishop Thomas L. Grace formally incorporated the parish in 1864 after the Lenzen, Hansmann, Luby, Mooney, and O'Brien families donated 40 acres of land. A log church was built on the shore of Holy Name Lake (then called Hansmann Lake), replaced by a frame church in 1875. After lightning destroyed the frame church on the eve of Pentecost in 1911, Archbishop John Ireland dedicated a new church in 1913 using the old cornerstone — the 'old white church' still on the grounds. Holy Name of Jesus School opened in September 1919. After more than 150 years of Benedictine administration, the parish became archdiocesan on June 30, 2007.
- 1856 — First Mass at the home of George Reiser by Rev. George Keller
- 1857 — Earliest known baptismal record (Francis Stumpf)
- 1864 — Parish incorporated by Bishop Thomas L. Grace
- 1875 — Frame church dedicated (Rev. Ignatius Schaller)
- 1911 — Church destroyed by fire after lightning struck the steeple
- 1913 — New church dedicated by Archbishop John Ireland
- 1919 — Holy Name of Jesus School opens with 52 students
- 1983 — Gymnasium, worship center, library, classroom wing added
- 1987 — Present church dedicated November 22, 1987
- 2007 — Transfer to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Benedictine Roots & Transition to the Archdiocese
From 1864 until 2007, Holy Name of Jesus was staffed by Benedictine priests. The order was first based at St. Boniface Parish in Minneapolis, with priests supplied by St. John's Abbey near St. Cloud. In June 2006, citing a shortage of priests, St. John's Abbey announced it could no longer supply clergy, and the parish officially transferred to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on June 30, 2007 in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Harry Flynn with Abbot John Klassen.
- Long-time O.S.B. pastors included Rev. Magnus Mayr, Rev. George Scheffold, Father George, Rev. Benedict Schmitt, Rev. Leo Hoppe, Rev. Eugene Woerdehoff, Father Jonathan, and Father Joseph Feders, O.S.B.
- Father Joseph Feders and Father Jonathan led the pastoral restructuring and ministry-area commissions that eased the transition.
- June 30, 2007 — Transfer Mass; July 2007 — Fr. Tim Morin and Fr. Paul Kammen begin as the first archdiocesan pastor and associate pastor.
Clergy & Staff
Holy Name of Jesus is currently pastored by Fr. Tim Wratkowski (installed 2024), with Fr. Chris Yanta serving as parochial vicar and Deacon Dennis Hanson assisting. A larger staff coordinates music, faith formation, youth ministry, administration, school, and facilities. The Parish Pastoral Council, chaired by Ryan Williams, includes six at-large members, six commission representatives, and the pastor.
- Fr. Tim Wratkowski — Pastor (came 2021, installed 2024)
- Fr. Chris Yanta — Parochial Vicar (ordained May 2024)
- Rev. Mr. Dennis Hanson — Deacon since 2000, full-time since 2012
- Eve Washburn — Director of Mission and Faith Formation
- Chris Kostelc — Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation
- Tim Lyngdal — Coordinator of Middle School Youth Ministry
- Senior High Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Kraig Windschitl — Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation
- Music Ministry: Director of Sacred Music, Luke Klavins, Martha Laurent, Nate Reinhardt (5:30 PM Mass), Carla Durand, Jennifer Wendt
- Martha Laurent — Principal of HNOJ School
- Claudia Rabaey — Ministry and Parish Administrative Associate; Baptism Scheduling & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Laurie Lucking — Nursery Coordinator
- Janna Webskowski — Administrator
- Nate Reinhardt — Director of Information Technology
- Facilities and Maintenance Manager
- Funeral Coordinator
- Pastoral Council Chair: Ryan Williams
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments. Deacon Dennis Hanson coordinates the Baptism Program and Marriage Ministry. Reconciliation is offered on a regular weekly schedule and by appointment through Cheri Quast. Anointing of the Sick and Funerals are scheduled through the parish office, with an emergency line available.
- Baptism
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment; emergency line 763-233-0259)
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Confirmation (through Faith Formation)
- RCIA / adult initiation
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation at HNOJ spans the whole parish family. Chris Kostelc coordinates adult faith formation, while Kraig Windschitl leads the elementary program. Middle-school and senior-high youth ministries are staffed separately, and the parish offers a Safe Environment program for the protection of children and youth.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Elementary Faith Formation (Coordinator: Kraig Windschitl)
- Middle School Youth Ministry (Coordinator: Tim Lyngdal)
- Senior High Youth Ministry
- RCIA / adult initiation
- Safe Environment program (Coordinator: Claudia Rabaey)
- Men's Bible Study (started by Deacon Dennis Hanson)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry is led by a Director of Sacred Music and offers a range of choirs and ensembles for Sunday and daily liturgies, including the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass coordinated by Nate Reinhardt. Liturgical ministries include altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, ushers, greeters, and art & environment teams.
- Director of Sacred Music
- Music Ministry Admin: Carla Durand
- Sunday 5:30 PM Mass music team led by Nate Reinhardt
- Children's and Youth Liturgical Ministries
- Art & Environment
Outreach & Service
Living out the mission to 'Be the hands of Christ,' Holy Name of Jesus maintains long-term partnerships with Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) and Ascension Parish and School in North Minneapolis. Outreach Ministry is one of Deacon Dennis Hanson's areas of service, alongside the Baptism Program, Marriage Ministry, and the Career Transition Group.
- Outreach Ministry
- Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP)
- Ascension Parish and School, North Minneapolis
- Marriage Ministry
- Career Transition Group (started by Deacon Dennis Hanson)
- Funeral / Bereavement Ministry
Parish Life & Community
Pastoral Council, commissions, and community groups knit the parish together. The 13-member Parish Pastoral Council, chaired by Ryan Williams, is the big-picture planning body advising the pastor; six standing commissions (Stewardship, Faith Formation, Liturgy, Pastoral Care & Outreach, School, and Finance Council) coordinate ministry areas. Newcomers are welcomed at biannual Big Small Dinners with the priests.
- Parish Pastoral Council (chair: Ryan Williams)
- Stewardship Commission
- Faith Formation Commission
- Liturgy Commission
- Pastoral Care & Outreach Commission
- School Commission
- Finance Council
- Big Small Dinners (biannual, with childcare)
- Knights of Columbus
- Serra Club
- Men's Club
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School
The parish school (K–6) is led by Principal Martha Laurent and shares the parish's mission to know, see, and serve Christ. It was formally established in September 1919 with four nuns and 52 students; enrollment climbed to 90 by 1930. The school's mailing address and phone mirror the parish campus at 155 County Road 24.
- Grades K–6
- Principal: Martha Laurent
- Founded: September 1919
- Phone: 763-473-3675
- Fax: 763-745-3488
- Website: https://school.hnoj.org/
Visit, Contact & Stay Connected
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A monthly print newsletter, weekly bulletin, parish e-news, and social channels (Facebook, X, and Instagram) keep parishioners informed. Newcomers are invited to the Big Small Dinners as a first step toward getting involved.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: 763-473-7901; Fax: 763-745-3488
- Parish office emergency line: 763-233-0259
- Cheri Quast (Reconciliation appointments): 763-745-3486
- Fr. Tim Wratkowski direct line: 763-745-3491
- Fr. Chris Yanta direct line: 763-745-3495
- Facebook: facebook.com/hnojwayzata
- Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts linked from hnoj.org
- Sign up for Adoration hour at hnoj.weadorehim.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Keller1856
First known priest; walked from St. Paul to say Mass at the home of George Reiser.
- Rev. Eberhart Jahr, O.S.B.Following 1856
Missionary in St. Anthony; said Mass at homes of Mathias Hansmann and Andrew Jordon.
- Rev. Ignatius Schaller1874–
Began a frame church dedicated September 5, 1875; transferred shortly after, leaving parish debt and disunity.
- Rev. Magnus M. Mayr, O.S.B.1879–
Appointed May 23, 1879; arrived August 1879; built new parish house; wrestled with old church debt.
- Rev. F. O. KoberOctober 1883–
- Rev. J. SchwartzJanuary 1884–
- Rev. Fulgentius Eich, OSF (and other Franciscans)Mid-1880s
Series of Franciscan priests followed.
- Father SchmidThrough 1891
Over seven years; oversaw re-incorporation on September 25, 1891.
- Rev. George Scheffold, O.S.B.~1890s–~1910s
Sent from St. John's Abbey; served 13 years; oversaw construction of the 1913 church dedicated by Archbishop John Ireland.
- Father George~1919–1925
Vacated the rectory for the sisters; oversaw school opening with 52 students.
- Rev. Benedict Schmitt, O.S.B.1925–1929
- Rev. Leo Hoppe, O.S.B.March 1929–September 1929
Short tenure.
- Rev. Eugene Woerdehoff, O.S.B.September 1929–
- Father JonathanThrough June 2007
Last Benedictine pastor; transitioned parish to archdiocesan administration.
- Father Joseph Feders, O.S.B.July 2003–June 2006
Associate pastor; initiated pastoral restructuring and ministry commissions.
- Fr. Tim MorinJuly 2007–
First archdiocesan pastor; installed September 16, 2007; introduced parish mission.
- Fr. Paul KammenJuly 2007–
Associate pastor under Fr. Tim Morin.
- Fr. Joseph-Quoc Vuong2009–
Associate pastor.
- Fr. Steve UlrickJuly 2011–
Installed September 11, 2011; grew up in Mound, Minnesota.
- Fr. Tim Wratkowski2021–present
Installed as pastor in 2024; raised in Saint Anthony, MN; ordained 2017; holds a Licentiate in Moral Theology.