About Immaculate Conception · Pine City, Minnesota
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Pine City, Minnesota, part of the Diocese of Duluth. The parish shares a 'Mission Field' with St. Joseph's Church in nearby Beroun, and together they are shepherded by one pastor — currently Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault — who serves roughly 800 households across both communities. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confession, a robust Religious Education program for grades 1–11, and an array of lay-led ministries including the Legion of Mary, Rosary Makers, Council of Catholic Women, Catholic in Recovery, and a Prayer Chain. Its self-described mission is to be 'an evangelizing community that teaches, sanctifies, and serves the people of God' with Christ at its center and Mary, Mother of the Church, as patron.
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the dogma that Mary was conceived without original sin)
- Rector
- Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault
- Diocese
- Diocese of Duluth
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a small-town Catholic parish that welcomes newcomers into a tight-knit 'Mission Field' of about 800 households shared with St. Joseph's, Beroun. Daily Mass (Tuesday evening and Wednesday through Friday mornings) along with weekend Masses and weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration (9 AM Exposition to 5 PM Benediction) make sacramental life easily accessible. Faith formation is built for the whole family, with Religious Education for grades 1–6 on Wednesdays, small-group ministry for grades 7–11, Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation/Communion and Confirmation, and a summer Vacation Bible School. A wide range of lay ministries — Council of Catholic Women, Legion of Mary, Rosary Makers, Catholic in Recovery, Prayer Chain, Prayer Shawl, Sunshine Committee, and funeral luncheon support — gives every parishioner a way to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:30 PM (ICC, until 5:15 PM)
- Saturday 4:00 PM (ICC, until 4:45 PM)
- Sunday 7:30 AM (St. Joseph's, Beroun, until 7:45 AM)
- Or by appointment — call 320-629-2935
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM Exposition through 5:00 PM Benediction (at Immaculate Conception Church)
Welcome and Mission
The parish homepage carries a personal message from Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault welcoming visitors to the 'Mission Field' made up of Immaculate Conception, Pine City, and St. Joseph's, Beroun. The stated mission is: 'With Christ as its center and empowered by the Holy Spirit in union with Mary, Mother of the Church, the mission of Immaculate Conception Parish is to be an evangelizing community that teaches, sanctifies, and serves the people of God.' Fr. Thomas writes that 'the parish website and all that we do strive to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ to people that we serve.'
Parish Staff
The Staff page lists Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault as Pastor (reached at [email protected] and 320-629-2935), with two Deacons — Gene Biever and Mark Pulkrabek — assisting in pastoral ministry. Lynette Forbes-Cardey serves as Director of Religious Education (320-629-3911 x103, [email protected]). Laura Miller handles Bulletin Coordination and Administrative Personnel, and Vicki Pixley serves as SJ Office Admin and ICC Admin Personnel. A Pine County News profile of Fr. Thomas notes that Deacons Mark and Gene are key collaborators in the shared ministry between Pine City and Beroun.
- Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault — Pastor
- Deacon Gene Biever
- Deacon Mark Pulkrabek
- Lynette Forbes-Cardey — Director of Religious Education
- Laura Miller — Bulletin Coordinator / Admin. Personnel
- Vicki Pixley — SJ Office Admin / ICC Admin Personnel
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education for the 2025/2026 academic year runs from Wednesday, October 1, 2025 through April 29, 2026. Grades 1–6 meet on Wednesdays after school, October through April, while grades 7–11 gather in Wednesday-evening small groups. The parish mails registration packets to returning families; new families may pick up forms near the main entrances of the church. The Religious Education program also coordinates preparation for First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion (usually received in 2nd grade) and Confirmation (preparation begins in sophomore/junior year and is celebrated every other year).
- 2025/2026 Sessions: Wednesdays, Oct 1, 2025 – Apr 29, 2026
- Grades 1–6: Wednesdays after school (Oct–Apr)
- Grades 7–11: Wednesday-evening Small Groups (Oct–Apr)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — usually 2nd grade
- Confirmation — every other year, starting sophomore/junior year
- Contact: Lynette Forbes-Cardey, 320-629-3911 ext. 103
Volunteer Opportunities in Faith Formation
The parish actively recruits catechists and helpers — explicitly stating 'NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! YOU ONLY NEED TO HAVE A DESIRE TO SHARE YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH!' Volunteer roles include teachers and teacher assistants for grades 1–6 (Wednesdays after school), small-group leaders for grades 7–11 (Wednesday evenings), substitutes at all levels, and evening setup/cleanup help for snack. The annual TRUE NORTH Vacation Bible School for youth entering K–6 in the fall is held in June and also relies on parish volunteers.
- Religious Ed teacher / teacher assistant (grades 1–6, Wednesdays)
- Small Group Leader (grades 7–11, Wednesday evenings)
- Substitutes at all levels
- Evening setup/cleanup for snack
- TRUE NORTH VBS crew and helpers
Sacraments
The parish publishes a dedicated Sacraments page that explains how each of the seven Catholic sacraments is celebrated in the Mission Field. Baptism is welcomed through the parish office; Reconciliation is offered on the published schedule plus by appointment; First Holy Communion is usually celebrated in 2nd grade; Confirmation preparation begins in the sophomore/junior year of high school and is celebrated every other year; marriages require Diocese of Duluth preparation and a meeting with Fr. Thomas; the Anointing of the Sick is available to those suffering physical, emotional, or mental illness.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- Reconciliation — Tue 4:30 PM, Sat 4:00 PM, Sun 7:30 AM (St. Joseph's), or by appointment
- First Holy Communion — usually 2nd grade
- Confirmation — every other year, sophomore/junior start
- Holy Matrimony — Diocese of Duluth preparation; meet Fr. Thomas
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office to reach a priest
Baptism Preparation
The Baptism Registration Form page states that parents should not complete the form until after they have contacted the parish office at 320-629-2935 and/or spoken to the pastor. Sponsors (godparents) must be at least 16 years old, confirmed Catholics, and living in harmony with the faith, in keeping with Canons 872–874. Only one sponsor is required, but where two are used one must be male and one female. Baptisms may be celebrated at either Immaculate Conception (ICC) or St. Joseph's.
- Contact parish office before completing the form
- Sponsor requirements per Canons 872–874
- Baptism may be celebrated at ICC or St. Joseph's
Lay Ministries and Community Life
The 'Featured Ministries' section of the homepage highlights four flagship groups: Rosary Makers, Legion of Mary, Catholic in Recovery, and Prayer Chain. The Council of Catholic Women (ICCW) is open to all women of the parish and meets regularly for fellowship, with dues supporting Prayer Shawl, the Sunshine Committee, Funeral Luncheon, meals at A Place for You shelter, Religious Education, and ongoing prayer for the parish and church.
- Rosary Makers
- Legion of Mary
- Catholic in Recovery (open to all denominations)
- Prayer Chain
- Council of Catholic Women (Prayer Shawl, Sunshine Committee, Funeral Luncheon, A Place for You shelter meals, Religious Education support)
Catholic in Recovery
Marketed as 'Healing, Hope & Joy Support Meetings,' Catholic in Recovery is offered at Immaculate Conception for those struggling with or affected by addictions, unhealthy relationships, or attachments. The parish emphasizes that 'these meetings are not just for Catholics but open to all denominations and faiths. All are welcome!'
TRUE NORTH Vacation Bible School
Each June the parish hosts TRUE NORTH Vacation Bible School at Immaculate Conception Church, Monday–Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, for youth entering K–6 in the fall. The program blends Bible learning, hands-on science experiments, team-building games, faith-filled music, and snacks, and the curriculum encourages kids to recognize 'God Sightings' in everyday life. Cost is $25 per child or $50 max per family, with registration by June 1.
- Dates: Monday–Friday, June 16–20 (2025 example)
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
- Ages: youth entering K–6 in Fall 2025
- Cost: $25/child, $50 max/family
- Register by June 1
Parish Office and Contact
The parish office is located at 555 8th Street SW, Pine City, MN 55063. Office hours are Monday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The main office phone is (320) 629-2935 and the Religious Education office phone is (320) 629-3911. The parish email is [email protected], reflecting its placement within the Diocese of Duluth's email system.
- Address: 555 8th Street SW, Pine City, MN 55063
- Phone: (320) 629-2935
- Religious Ed: (320) 629-3911 ext. 103
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon 8–1; Tue 9–5:30; Wed–Fri 8–1
Diocese of Duluth
Immaculate Conception is one of the parishes of the Diocese of Duluth. The Diocese's clergy-assignments page records that effective Jan. 1, 2025, Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault was transferred from sacramental minister of St. Agnes, Walker, and Sacred Heart, Hackensack, to pastor of Immaculate Conception, Pine City, and St. Joseph, Beroun. A correction notice in the same assignment listing notes that Fr. Aleksander Suchan moved from pastor of Immaculate Conception/St. Joseph to pastor of St. Agnes/Sacred Heart on the same date.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Aleksander Suchanthrough Dec 31, 2024
Listed in Diocese of Duluth clergy assignments as pastor of Immaculate Conception, Pine City, and St. Joseph, Beroun, reassigned effective Jan. 1, 2025.
- Fr. Thomas P. Galarneaultfrom Jan. 1, 2025
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, transferred from sacramental minister of St. Agnes, Walker, and Sacred Heart, Hackensack, to pastor of Immaculate Conception, Pine City, and St. Joseph, Beroun (Diocese of Duluth clergy assignments).