About Nativity of Mary Catholic Church · Bloomington, Minnesota
Nativity of Mary Catholic Church (formally the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is the first Catholic parish in Bloomington, Minnesota, rooted in a community that gathered for its very first Mass on November 9, 1949. Today about 1,200 families belong to the parish, sharing their time and talents across roughly 60 ministries, and the parish continues to operate a Preschool–8th grade Catholic school (Nativity of Mary School) on the same Lyndale Avenue campus. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and is currently led by Fr. Bill Duffert, who was installed as pastor on June 15, 2025 by Archbishop Hebda.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Fr. Bill Duffert
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Nativity of Mary is a well-established Bloomington parish that has been rooted in the community since 1949, with a strong Catholic school, roughly 60 active ministries, and a reputation for warmly welcoming new members — especially during the Easter season when new Catholics are received. With two Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Friday, multiple weekly confession times, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide range of adult, youth, family, music, outreach, and pastoral-care ministries, the parish offers something for nearly every stage of life and spiritual need.
Mass times at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00–5:50 PM
- Wednesday 7:30–7:50 AM
- Thursday 8:30 AM until the last penitent
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Monday 7:00–8:00 AM
- Monday 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
- Tuesday 7:00–8:00 AM
- Tuesday 5:00–5:50 PM
- Wednesday 7:00–8:00 AM
- Thursday 7:00–8:00 AM
- Friday 7:00–8:00 AM
Our History
Nativity of Mary is the first Catholic parish in Bloomington, Minnesota. Its first Mass was celebrated on November 9, 1949 at the Bloomington Town Hall on Penn Avenue, with subsequent weekly Masses held at Bloomington High School and even the Oxboro Theatre. Founding pastor Father Martin Larkin was so committed to Catholic education that the school was built before the church; ground was broken for the school building and gymnasium on November 8, 1950, and in 1951 Nativity of Mary School opened with 140 students, with church services moving to the school gymnasium.
- First Mass: November 9, 1949, at Bloomington Town Hall on Penn Avenue
- Founding pastor: Father Martin Larkin
- Ground broken for school & gymnasium: November 8, 1950
- Nativity of Mary School opened 1951 with 140 students
- Current church dedicated by Archbishop John R. Roach on September 18, 1980
- 1991 addition: Gathering Space, Caritas Room, pipe organ, lower-level meeting rooms
- 2005: School remodeled; new administrative offices for school and parish staff
- 2008: Campus improvements and debt-reduction efforts
- Today: ~1,200 families serving in ~60 ministries
Devotions
In addition to Mass and Adoration, Nativity of Mary supports a strong devotional life centered on the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Face of Jesus, and the traditional Lenten Stations of the Cross.
- Rosary: Wednesday–Friday at 7:30 AM in the Chapel
- Rosary for Our Lady of Fatima: 13th of every month at 7:00 PM
- Stations of the Cross: Fridays at 7:00 PM during Lent
- Five First Saturdays Devotion
- Holy Face Devotion
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Nativity of Mary runs a full spectrum of faith formation for children, teens, and families, directed by Emily Dalsky (Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization). Programs include elementary and middle school faith formation, Confirmation preparation, a Youth Group, a Dead Theologians Society, and seasonal youth events like Extreme Faith Camp, Vacation Bible School, Catholic Youth Camp (CYC), and the Steubenville Youth Conference. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Mass for younger children.
- Elementary Faith Formation
- Middle School Faith Formation
- Confirmation preparation
- Youth Group
- Dead Theologians Society
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Extreme Faith Camp, Vacation Bible School, Catholic Youth Camp (CYC), Steubenville Youth Conference
Adult Faith, Small Groups & Fellowship
Adults at Nativity can grow in faith through a variety of small groups, Bible studies, and fellowship events. The parish also supports a Nativity Men's Club, Cana Dinners for engaged and married couples, and gatherings for young adults, moms, and veterans.
- Men's Small Group
- Women's Small Group
- Veteran's Group
- Cana Dinner
- Young Adults
- NOM Mom
- Theology & Brews
- Nativity Men's Club
Liturgy & Music
Liturgy and music at Nativity of Mary are led by Martha Barth, Director of Liturgy & Music. The Music Ministry builds on the 1991 pipe organ and includes a Children's Choir and a Wedding Music Planner for couples. The parish also accepts Hymnal Donations to support congregational singing.
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Martha Barth
- Pipe organ (installed 1991)
- Children's Choir
- Wedding Music Planner
- Hymnal Donations program
- Liturgical Ministry Schedule
Outreach & Respect Life
Nativity of Mary carries out the call to serve through several outreach and respect-life ministries, both locally and beyond. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves neighbors in need, Angel Tree supports children and families at Christmas, and Dignitas Vitae is the parish's Respect Life group. Ad Gentes is a parish prayer event with a missionary focus.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Angel Tree
- Dignitas Vitae (Respect Life)
- Ad Gentes Prayer Event
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care at Nativity of Mary accompanies parishioners through life's most difficult moments, including end-of-life, bereavement, and ongoing prayer needs. Funeral planning is coordinated through the parish office, a Grief Support Group is offered, and an Intercessory Prayer Ministry prays for the needs of parishioners.
- Funeral Planning
- Funerals at Nativity of Mary — Praying for the Dead
- Grief Support Group
- Intercessory Prayer Ministry
Nativity of Mary School
Nativity of Mary School is a Preschool–8th grade Catholic school on the parish campus, recognized as a School of Excellence. It offers a Responsive Classroom approach, STEM and Blended Learning (partnered with the University of Notre Dame), a Believe and Read literacy program through Groves Learning Organization, music, art, physical education, and foreign languages, plus clubs, athletics, leadership roles in the House system, and service rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Before- and after-school care is provided through Creative Clubhouse, also available in summer. The school shares faith-life support with the three Bloomington parishes: Nativity of Mary, St. Bonaventure, and Church of St. Edward's.
- Preschool (4-star Parent Aware) through 8th grade
- Small class sizes; Responsive Classroom approach
- STEM, Blended Learning (Notre Dame partnership), Believe and Read (Groves Learning Organization)
- Music, art, physical education, foreign languages
- Athletics, clubs, House system leadership
- Creative Clubhouse before- and after-school care and summer program
- School Principal: Sarah Hickel; Assistant Principal: Rebecca Kasallis
- Located at 9901 East Bloomington Freeway, Bloomington, MN
- School phone: (952) 881-8160
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Bill Duffert (Pastor) with the support of two deacons and a dedicated lay staff who oversee faith formation, liturgy and music, school operations, parish life, ministry coordination, and facilities.
- Fr. Bill Duffert — Pastor (installed June 15, 2025 by Archbishop Hebda)
- Deacon John Shearer
- Deacon Jim Reinhardt
- Emily Dalsky — Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization
- Martha Barth — Director of Liturgy & Music
- Sarah Hickel — School Principal
- Rebecca Kasallis — Assistant Principal
- Wanda Hagerty — School Administrative Assistant
- Maggie Nelson — Creative Clubhouse Coordinator
- Beth Gaetz — Ministry Coordinator
- Kelly Schumacher — Parish Life Coordinator
- Joanne Rachel — Director of Parish Operations & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Katy Dillard — Bookkeeper
- Roger Sansom — Maintenance Coordinator
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and supports couples and families through Marriage preparation and Funeral planning. The Reconciliation schedule is published weekly; Mass Intentions can be requested through the parish office.
- Baptism
- Confirmation (with multi-year preparation)
- Eucharist / First Communion preparation
- Marriage preparation and Wedding Music Planner
- Reconciliation (Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat)
- Anointing of the Sick and Funeral planning
- Mass Intentions
Visit, Register & Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 4:30 PM (summer hours: the parish closes at 12:00 PM on Fridays in June, July, and August). The church is open for prayer 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. New parishioners are warmly welcomed and can register through the parish website.
- Address: 9900 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55420
- Phone: (952) 881-8671; Fax: (952) 881-8692
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM
- Summer hours: parish closes at 12:00 PM Fridays (June–August)
- Church open for prayer: Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–4:30 PM
- Parish Registration available via the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Martin Larkin1949–
Founding pastor of Nativity of Mary; prioritized Catholic education so strongly that the school building went up before the church.