About Holy Spirit · Fargo, North Dakota
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish on Fargo's growing north side, founded in September 1951 by Father John P. Smith. It belongs to the Diocese of Fargo and serves over 1,000 families with a parish school (Holy Spirit Elementary, part of the St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network), a full faith-formation program, and ministries for every age from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6) through the Youth Discipleship small groups for grades 6–12. The parish is led today by Father Ross Laframboise, with a parochial vicar, a deacon, a Director of Religious Education, and a wide lay staff supporting worship, faith formation, music, and parish life.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Fr. Ross Laframboise
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fargo
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is a thriving, family-oriented parish on Fargo's north side that takes the formation of children and teens as its central mission — pairing a parish elementary school (Holy Spirit, in the St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network) with a hands-on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for the littlest ones and small-group Youth Discipleship for grades 6–12. Daily and weekend Masses are offered in a welcoming English-language community, Eucharistic Adoration runs Monday through Saturday mornings, and the Relationship Ministry invests in marriage, parenting, and parish fellowship through retreats and events like Trivia Night and the annual Happy Holy Hour.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Mon & Wed: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Tue & Sat: 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
- Sunday: 7:00–7:25 AM, 8:30–9:00 AM, 10:30–11:00 AM
- Also by appointment (per Diocese of Fargo listing)
Adoration times
- Monday – Saturday: 6:45 AM – 8:00 AM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
Holy Spirit was founded on a September Sunday in 1951 when Father John P. Smith, a faith-filled, young, Irish-born priest, celebrated the parish's first Mass in the cafeteria of Shanley High School for Fargo's growing north side. Smith spent three decades raising money for buildings — supplementing individual giving with fall bazaars and concession-stand proceeds at the local Barnett Baseball Field and County Fairground — and oversaw construction of the school (1953), rectory (1958), and the church itself (dedicated in May 1963).
- First Mass: September 1951, Shanley High School cafeteria
- School opened: fall 1953
- Rectory finished: 1958
- Church dedicated: May 1963 (contractor bid $441,000)
- 1976 silver anniversary: new organ, parish directory
- 1995: 'Counting on the Spirit' campaign
- 2010: Courtyard and Grotto dedicated (May 20)
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
Holy Spirit is currently led by Fr. Ross Laframboise as pastor. He is assisted by an associate pastor, a deacon, and an extensive lay staff. The Diocese of Fargo directory lists both a pastor and a parochial vicar for the parish.
- Pastor: Fr. Ross Laframboise (came to Holy Spirit in 2016)
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Anthony Cruz
- Parochial Vicar (per Diocese of Fargo): Rev. Robert Keller
- Deacon: Deacon Paul Schneider
- Pastoral Council: Fr. Laframboise, Emily Karel, Melissa Uphus, Patrick Sinner, Olivia Altstadt, Michelle Dunn, Ryan Hodgson, Kathy Swenson, Keith Jones
- Finance Council: Tom Kasper, Mark Lundberg, Rich Schmit, Josh Senger, Sara Wald, Steve Mehus, Josh Magelky
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Holy Spirit reaches from age 3 through grade 12 and is built on a partnership of parish, parents, and mentors. The youngest children meet in a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, school-age children gather on Wednesday evenings, and middle- and high-school youth are formed in small discipleship groups.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6): Wednesdays 6:15–7:45 PM; Montessori-style atrium; free to registered parishioners; contact Kalene Jaeger
- Grades 1–5 Catechesis: Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM in Holy Spirit Elementary School classrooms; $40/student, max $120/family
- Sacramental Prep: First Reconciliation in grade 2 (fall); Confirmation and First Eucharist in grade 3 (spring)
- Special-needs accommodations through diocesan Special Needs resources
- Director of Religious Education: Rachel O'Donnell ([email protected])
Youth Discipleship (Grades 6–12)
Youth Discipleship is described by the parish as 'not a program, but an apprenticeship in the Christian life,' patterned after Jesus forming a small group of disciples. Small groups meet weekly and are led by an adult mentor.
- Grades 6–12 small groups, weekly meetings, adult mentor-led
- Scriptural foundation: Matthew 28:19 — 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations'
- Coordinated through the parish's Director of Religious Education
JPII Catholic Schools & Holy Spirit Elementary
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a sponsoring parish of the St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network, with a parish school physically attached. The elementary offers a 12-month program for 3-year-olds and a Pre-K through fifth-grade academic program dedicated to teaching the faith in a positive, affirming environment, with daily prayer, weekly liturgies, and meaningful service projects. Students can continue through 12th grade at Sacred Heart and Shanley.
- Holy Spirit Elementary School (Pre-K through grade 5)
- Little Deacon program for 3-year-olds
- Daily prayer, weekly liturgies
- Sponsored by Holy Spirit parish; part of the St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network
- More info: jp2schools.org
Parish Staff
Beyond the priests and deacon, Holy Spirit is staffed by a Director of Religious Education, a Parish Mission Coordinator, an Administrative Assistant, a Relationship Ministry Coordinator, a Bookkeeper, a Music Coordinator, and a Volunteer Coordinator.
- Pastor: Fr. Ross Laframboise
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Anthony Cruz
- Deacon: Deacon Paul Schneider
- Director of Religious Education: Rachel O'Donnell
- Parish Mission Coordinator: Sarah Gates
- Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Splonskowski
- Relationship Ministry Coordinator: Cecilia Johnson ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Kathlene Shih
- Music Coordinator: Angie Weninger
- Volunteer Coordinator: Elisabeth Ellers
Relationship Ministry
The Relationship Ministry strengthens relationships within the parish and surrounding neighborhood by fostering community and providing relationship enrichment and education opportunities. It hosts retreats, marriage and parenting courses, and fun events like Trivia Night, Game Night, and the annual Happy Holy Hour.
- Retreats, marriage courses, parenting courses
- Trivia Night, Game Night, annual Happy Holy Hour
- Coordinator: Cecilia Johnson — [email protected]
- Followed on Facebook (link on parish page)
Contact & Office Information
- Address: 1420 7th St N, Fargo, ND 58102
- Phone: (701) 232-5900
- Fax: (701) 232-5902 (per Diocese of Fargo listing)
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Mon 1–5 PM; Tue 9 AM–4 PM; Wed 8 AM–5 PM; Thu 9 AM–4 PM; Fri 8 AM–12 PM
- Website: https://holyspiritfargo.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John P. Smith1951–1981
Irish-born founding pastor; celebrated first Mass Sept 1951 in Shanley High School cafeteria; led building of school (1953), rectory (1958), and church (dedicated May 1963); resigned in 1981.
- Fr. Duane Coté1981–1983
First new pastor in 30 years; led a congregation that had grown to over 1,000 families.
- Fr. John Conway1983–1991
- Fr. Phil Ackerman1991–
During his tenure Holy Spirit purchased the remaining houses on the block for parking and school playground space.
- Msgr. Jeffrey L. Wald2002–2012
Oversaw construction of the Courtyard and Grotto, dedicated May 20, 2010.
- Fr. Brian Moen2012–2014
Served two years.
- Fr. Ross Laframboise2016–present
Current pastor.