About Holy Spirit · Rochester, Minnesota
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 5455 50th Avenue NW in Rochester, Minnesota, in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Founded in 1990 as the sixth Catholic parish in Rochester to serve the growing northwest side of the city, it began with multi-purpose facilities and grew to include Holy Spirit Catholic School, which opened in 1994. The parish is a vibrant community that livestreams its Saturday vigil Mass, celebrates daily Mass including an offsite Mass at Homestead of Rochester, and offers faith formation, sacramental preparation, and Eucharistic adoration. Its mission is described as a fellowship of believers called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News through learning, listening, praying and working together.
- Established
- 1990
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Rev. David Medow
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
Holy Spirit Catholic Church offers a full sacramental and parish life on Rochester's growing northwest side: Saturday vigil and two Sunday Masses, daily Mass on weekdays (including an offsite Mass at Homestead of Rochester for seniors and the homebound), First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation, a Catholic school serving preschool through grade 5, ongoing faith formation, and Eucharistic adoration on the second Thursday of each month. With a livestreamed Saturday Mass, active parish staff, and a mission to be a place where people can believe, belong, and become disciples, it is a welcoming community for Catholic life in SE Minnesota.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
- Second Thursday of every month 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Second Thursday of every month 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
About Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish at 5455 50th Avenue NW in Rochester, Minnesota, part of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Founded in 1990 to serve the rapidly growing northwest side of Rochester, the parish was named in honor of the Holy Spirit as a sign of the community's belief that God's power and human effort together create a loving Christian community. Today Holy Spirit offers weekend and daily Mass, faith formation, sacramental preparation, and Holy Spirit Catholic School, and describes itself as a place to believe, belong, and become.
Parish History
Holy Spirit was established in 1990 by Bishop John G. Vlazny as the sixth Catholic parish in Rochester after a two-year study with the diocesan Presbyteral Council and local pastors. Land was purchased on 55th Street NW for a multi-purpose building that would host Mass, education, and the parish office. The first phase of school construction began in September 1993 after Bishop Vlazny blessed the ground, and Holy Spirit Catholic School opened for grades K-3 in fall 1994, expanded to K-8 in 1999, and added preschool in 2008. The school is now part of Rochester Catholic Schools.
- 1990 — Parish established by Bishop John G. Vlazny, Diocese of Winona
- 1990 — Rev. Dale Tupper named founding pastor (assumed duties June 29)
- Sept. 1993 — Bishop Vlazny blessed the ground; school construction began
- Fall 1994 — Holy Spirit Catholic School opened for grades K-3
- 1999 — School expanded to K-8
- 2008 — Preschool (ages 3 and 4) added
Meet Our Staff
Holy Spirit is served by a pastor, two deacons, and a team of parish and school staff. The Coordinator of Liturgy and Music leads the parish's liturgical celebrations, while the Coordinator of Faith Formation oversees religious education and sacramental prep. The school principal leads Holy Spirit Catholic School within Rochester Catholic Schools.
- Rev. David Medow — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Joe Weigel — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Dick Quinn — Deacon (Retired)
- Kristen Donovan — Coordinator of Liturgy and Music
- Jenelle Fode — Finance Assistant
- Layne Noser — Director of Maintenance
- Amy Heimer — Principal, Holy Spirit Catholic School
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The parish offers ongoing Faith Formation on Sundays and Wednesdays, and prepares students in Grade 2 for First Reconciliation (celebrated in winter) and First Communion (celebrated in spring). Parents take the primary role as catechist, supported by parish-provided parent and child books, learning stations, and a parent-planned retreat. Children attending Rochester Catholic Schools do not need to register separately, though all are welcome. Registration for the next program year takes place in the spring with an $85 per-child fee that may be waived.
- Faith Formation offered Sundays and Wednesdays
- First Reconciliation celebrated in winter
- First Communion celebrated in spring
- Registration deadline: August 15
- Fee: $85 per child (waivable)
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Holy Spirit Catholic School, part of Rochester Catholic Schools, serves Preschool through Grade 5 at 5455 50th Ave. NW. The school is dedicated to nurturing global awareness, evangelization, faith, lifelong learning, responsibility, and respect. Its Catholic identity is shaped by Franciscan spirituality inherited from the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi who preceded them. As part of the RCS learning pathway, the school fosters holistic growth from early childhood through adulthood and is currently enrolling ages 2 through Grade 5.
- Grades served: Preschool through Grade 5
- Hours: 8:25 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.
- Phone: (507) 288-8818
- Principal: Amy Heimer ([email protected])
- Part of Rochester Catholic Schools
Livestream & Online Worship
For those unable to attend Mass in person, Holy Spirit livestreams its Saturday 4:30 PM vigil Mass. The parish maintains a YouTube channel where the livestream and other parish content are available, and shares news and updates via its Facebook page.
- Saturday 4:30 PM Mass livestreamed on YouTube
- Parish Facebook: facebook.com/HolySpiritRochester
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Dale Tupper1990–
Founding pastor; Rochester native, former Lourdes High School principal, and Maryknoll missionary priest; assumed duties June 29, 1990.