About Holy Rosary Catholic Community · Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Holy Rosary Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of Crookston located at 1043 Lake Avenue in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, in the heart of the Becker County lake region. The parish describes itself as 'rooted in the Word and energized with the Spirit of Jesus Christ,' cultivating a community that lives as Jesus taught within the Catholic tradition. It is served by Pastor Father Nate Brunn and Deacon Gary Hager, and is closely paired with Holy Rosary School (PK–8), one of the oldest Catholic schools in the area, founded in 1916. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, a robust faith-formation program for all ages, and an active music and outreach ministry.
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- Holy Rosary (Our Lady of the Rosary)
- Rector
- Father Nate Brunn
- Diocese
- Diocese of Crookston
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is a multigenerational Catholic community anchored by a parish school that has been forming children in faith since 1916. Parishioners of every age find a place here — daily and weekend Mass, Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, a children's Liturgy of the Word, elementary and youth faith formation, the Emmaus Ministry to the homebound, Knights of Columbus fish fries, Vacation Bible School, and a full music program. With active Pastoral and Finance Councils, a Quilt Group, RCIA, and stewardship opportunities for adults, it is a parish where belonging is lived out in concrete service.
Mass times at Holy Rosary Catholic Community
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00–4:45 pm
- Sundays 10:15 am
Adoration times
- Tuesdays: Blessed Sacrament exposed after the 8:30 am Mass until 7:00 pm
About Holy Rosary Catholic Community
Holy Rosary Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of Crookston located on Lake Avenue in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Its mission statement — 'rooted in the Word and energized with the Spirit of Jesus Christ' — is repeated on the parish and school websites, signaling the close integration of parish and school life. Pastor Father Nate Brunn leads the community alongside Deacon Gary Hager and a large lay staff.
- Diocese: Crookston
- Pastor: Father Nate Brunn
- Deacon: Deacon Gary Hager
- Mailing address: 1043 Lake Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
- Parish phone: (218) 847-1393
Parish History
Founded in 1871 by pioneer Catholics in the Detroit Lakes area, Holy Rosary has worshipped in five successive church buildings, the most recent dedicated in 1968. A school was added in 1916, making this one of the longest continuously operating Catholic parish-and-school pairings in northwestern Minnesota.
- 1871 — First Mass celebrated by Rev. J.B.M Genin; Samuel J. Fox donates 160 acres; log church built.
- 1882–1885 — Second church constructed (38 × 28 ft, 50-ft tower).
- 1884 — Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery obtained by E.G. Holmes; platted 1889.
- 1908 — Church moved to its current Lake Avenue location.
- 1914–1915 — Foundation laid and cornerstone blessed for the Renaissance/Roman-style fourth church.
- 1916 — Parish school founded in the original church building (85 students, grades 1–8).
- 1966–1968 — Fifth (current) church built; dedicated May 19, 1968.
- 1985 — Parish centennial celebrated.
- 2016 — Holy Rosary School centennial celebrated.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the usual sacraments and welcomes inquiries through the parish office. Parents seeking Baptism contact Family Catechesis director Kathy Olson; engaged couples are asked to contact Father Nate at least six months before the wedding. The Emmaus Ministry brings Holy Communion to parishioners who are homebound.
- Baptism — contact Kathy Olson ([email protected] / 218-847-1393)
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 pm and Sundays 10:15 am
- Marriage — contact Fr. Nate at least six months in advance
- Communion to the homebound — Emmaus Ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Holy Rosary spans early childhood through high school, with an active catechist team and small-group leaders. Families are invited to register children for elementary faith formation classes (PK–Grade 6) and middle/high school programs. A children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 9:00 am Sunday Mass.
- Elementary Faith Formation (PK–6): weekly classes mid-September through end of April
- Middle & High School Faith Formation (Wednesdays, with the Feeding the Faith meal 5:45–6:35 pm)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Sundays at 9:00 am, ages 4–Grade 2)
- 7th–8th Grade Small Group Leaders
- 9th–11th Grade Catechist (You: Life, Love and the Theology of the Body / Chosen / Bible studies)
- Contact: Kathy Olson, [email protected], 218-847-1393 x109
Holy Rosary School
Founded in 1916 in the original Holy Rosary church building, Holy Rosary School today educates preschool through 8th-grade students on the parish campus at 1043 Lake Avenue. It is accredited through the Minnesota Nonpublic School Accreditation Association (MNSAA) and partners with Holy Rosary Parish in mission and governance.
- Principal: Cathy Larson
- Office Manager: Beth Gilbert
- Grades: PK–8
- Student-teacher ratio: ~14:1 (U.S. News lists 10:1)
- 100% of 8th-grade students graduate
- 86th percentile in Reading, 78th in Math nationally
- 100% student participation in community service
- School Mass: Wednesdays 9:00 am
- School website: holyrosarycs.org
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music and liturgy are coordinated by Abby Berg, the parish's Director of Music & Liturgy. Volunteers serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers, sacristans, and choir members, and the parish livestreams Mass on YouTube (channel: Holy Rosary Catholic Church Detroit Lakes MN).
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Abby Berg ([email protected])
- Volunteer liturgical roles: lectors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers, sacristans
- Mass livestream on YouTube: Holy Rosary Catholic Church Detroit Lakes MN
Parish Outreach & Community Life
Outreach at Holy Rosary includes the Emmaus Ministry to the homebound, parish-wide events like the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry, the Quilt Group, Vacation Bible School, and an active stewardship program. The parish regularly promotes diocesan events such as Project Rachel, Cursillo retreats, and the Diocesan Annual Appeal.
- Emmaus Ministry — Communion and visits to the homebound
- Knights of Columbus — Lenten Fish Fry (Fridays in Lent)
- Quilt Group — meets Wednesdays; takes Lent off; contact Eileen 218-849-0223
- Project Rachel confidential line: 218-470-0112
- Diocesan Annual Appeal 'In Christ, We Are One!'
- Stewardship & Development — Jamie McDougall
Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery
The parish owns and maintains Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery on the 1000 block of Rossman Avenue, across from the Detroit Lakes city water tower. Originally obtained by E.G. Holmes in 1884 and platted in 1889, the cemetery remains an active burial ground with more than 1,770 memorials.
- Location: 1000 block of Rossman Avenue, Detroit Lakes (across from the city water tower)
- Lot price: $800.00
- Contact: Bryan Malone, 218-847-1393
- Rules: flat markers only, set in cement with 5-inch mowing border; no permanent plantings; flowers allowed Memorial Day plus two weeks
- Perpetual Care included with lot purchase
Parish Staff & Councils
The parish is staffed by a combination of clergy, school leadership, and lay professionals. Two lay councils — the Finance Council and Pastoral Council — along with a School Council and two elected trustees guide parish governance.
- Pastor: Father Nate Brunn
- Deacon: Deacon Gary Hager
- School Principal: Cathy Larson; Office Manager: Beth Gilbert
- Parish Administrator: John Wilke
- Receptionists: Nate Flugel & Mary Anderson
- Music & Liturgy: Abby Berg
- Family Catechesis: Kathy Olson
- Youth Evangelization & Discipleship: Tess Kalberer
- Adult Catechesis: Jamie McDougall
- Director of Maintenance: Charles Vareberg
- Trustees: Debbie Carlson, Tom Lundberg
- Finance Council: Tom Lundberg, Ed Geffre, Lori Lehmann, Rob Woytassek
- Pastoral Council: Jen Wilke, Steve Carlson, Debbie Carlson, Laverne Moltzan, Bienvenida Grimsley, Mike Sidders, Ava Klemm, Sabrina Johnson, Mary Hager
Getting Involved
The parish maintains an online registration form for new members and invites parishioners to volunteer through its many ministries. Whether helping feed teens at Feeding the Faith, teaching faith formation, singing in the choir, or spending an hour in adoration, the parish emphasizes that 'the involvement of our parishioners, parents and youth is the heart of our community.'
- Online parish registration form on holyrosarycc.org
- Feeding the Faith — cooks, servers, bakers (Kathy Olson)
- Catechists and small-group leaders
- Liturgical ministries — Abby Berg
- Music ministries — Abby Berg
- Emmaus Ministry (homebound visits)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Jerry Rogers1994
First parish priest to serve as the school's administrator after the Benedictine sisters were released from staffing it.
- Monsignor Tim McGee2009
Succeeded Fr. Jerry Rogers as parish priest/administrator.