About Pax Christi · Rochester, Minnesota
Pax Christi Catholic Church is a vibrant Eucharistic community in northwest Rochester, Minnesota, part of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Founded in 1973 by Bishop Watters' decree and named for the Peace of Christ, the parish began with Father James McCauley celebrating Mass at a local roller rink, Skate Country, before its church was built. Today Pax Christi is home to over 1,500 families and offers daily and Sunday Masses, year-round Eucharistic Adoration, a robust faith formation program from preschool through high school, and a sister-parish relationship with St. Paul Parish in Karambi, Congo.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- Pax Christi (Peace of Christ) — parish name
- Rector
- Rev. John Sauer
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
Pax Christi is a Eucharistic community of more than 1,500 families in northwest Rochester that welcomes newcomers warmly — paper or online registration triggers a personal welcome visit from a pastoral council member and a mailed welcome packet. The parish runs a robust ministry slate for every age: Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9 am Sunday Mass, Kingdom Kids, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Waypoints youth ministry, YDisciple middle- and high-school small groups, a two-year Confirmation prep, the Saint Carlo Acutis Youth Center, and a year-round Eucharistic Adoration chapel open Tuesdays (4 am–6 pm) and Thursdays (3 pm–8 pm). With daily and Sunday Mass, Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons, ministries like the Women of Pax, Mission Ignite, and a Sister Parish partnership in Karambi, Congo, there's a clear path for any family or individual to plug into the life of the parish.
Mass times at Pax Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the church (no Confession on Holy Saturday)
- By appointment — call the parish office at 507-282-8542
Adoration times
- Tuesday 4:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Adoration chapel open Tuesdays and Thursdays; adorers welcome any time (call the parish office for the door code)
Parish History — From Skate Country to 1,500 Families
Established in June 1973 by Bishop Watters' decree, Pax Christi was built up from 250 founding families into a 1,500+ family Eucharistic community. The parish's humble origin — Father James McCauley celebrating the first Masses at the Skate Country roller rink — is preserved in one of the church's stained-glass windows. Construction milestones included the 1975 dedication of the church, the 1979 Queen of Peace Hall, the 1988 Spiritual Center addition, the 1993 Activity Center, a 1997 renovation for the 25th anniversary, and a 2005 rectory and youth spaces. In Fall 2025, the parish's youth center was renamed the Saint Carlo Acutis Youth Center.
- Founded June 1973 by decree of Bishop Watters
- Father James McCauley: founding pastor developer
- First Mass at Skate Country roller rink
- Church dedicated June 15, 1975
- Queen of Peace Hall, 1979
- Spiritual Center addition, 1988
- Activity Center addition, 1993
- 25th anniversary renovation completed 1998
- New rectory completed 2005; former rectory converted to staff and youth space
- Saint Carlo Acutis Youth Center dedicated June 2010 (re-named Fall 2025)
Mission, Vision & Mission Ignite
Pax Christi describes itself as 'a Eucharistic community united to continue the mission and message of Jesus.' The parish is roughly one year into a three-year pastoral plan called Mission Ignite — Year 1 focused on hospitality, Year 2 on evangelization, and Year 3 on developing disciples. Implementation is led by a discipleship team, evangelization team, hospitality team, stewardship committee, and the pastoral council, coordinated by Director of Parish Mission Nathan Schuster.
- Year 1: Hospitality
- Year 2: Evangelization
- Year 3: Developing Disciples
- Sister Parish Partnership with St. Paul Parish, Karambi, Congo (via Hands Without Boundaries Foundation)
- Flocknote communication system giving parishioners access to Bishop Barron's Word on Fire digital library
Pastor & Pastoral Succession
The current pastor, Rev. John Sauer, came to Pax Christi in 2020. He was ordained at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona and previously served at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Winona, St. Francis in Rochester, parishes in Mankato and Austin, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and Sacred Heart in Owatonna before arriving at Pax Christi. He celebrated his 40th priestly ordination anniversary in June 2025 following the parish's Corpus Christi procession.
- Fr. James McCauley (founding, 1973–1989)
- Fr. LaVern 'T' Trocinski (13 years, starting 1989)
- Fr. Edward McGrath
- Fr. Joseph Keefe (7 years, until 2011)
- Fr. Joe Fogal (2011–2017, retirement)
- Fr. Will Thompson (2017–2020, named Vicar General)
- Fr. John Sauer (2020–present)
Parochial Vicars Over the Years
In addition to its pastors, Pax Christi has been served by a long succession of parochial vicars since 1984.
- Fr. John Ozbun, 1984–1986
- Fr. Mark McNea, 1989–1993
- Fr. Russell Scepaniak, 1993–1995
- Fr. Tom Loomis, 1995–1997
- Fr. James Callahan, 1997–1998
- Fr. Kurt Farrell, 1998–2000
- Fr. Patrick Arens, 2000–2002
- Fr. Caesar Dralega, 2002–2011
- Fr. Pratap Reddy Salibindla, OFM, 2011–2012
- Msgr Donald P. Schmitz, 2012–2015
- Fr. Chinnappa Pothireddy, 2015–2017
- Fr. Jonathan Fasnacht, 2017–2018
- Fr. Thế Hoàng, 2018–2020
- Fr. Shawn Haremza, 2020–2022 (and again 2025–present)
- Fr. Michael Churchill, 2022–2024
- Fr. Joachim Anumba, 2024–2025
Staff & Clergy
A multidisciplinary staff supports the parish's ministries and operations across mission, liturgy, music, faith formation, youth, facilities, and administration.
- Fr. John Sauer — Pastor
- Fr. Shawn Haremza — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Chris Orlowski — Deacon
- Nathan Schuster — Director of Parish Mission
- Jill Olson — Operations Manager
- Mark Scheitel — Director of Music
- Sam Douglas — Director of Facilities and Maintenance
- Terre Horlocker — Pastoral Associate
- Michelle Todd — Coordinator of Children's Ministry
- Ayla Carlin — Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- Cindy Kreuger — staff
- Teresa Farley-Severson — Front Desk Coordinator
- Lisa Brueske — Bookkeeper
- Theresa Fritton — Information Coordinator
Faith Formation — Children & Youth
Pax Christi's faith formation program spans preschool through high school. Parents are recognized as the first and primary teachers of the faith; the parish partners with and assists them by offering catechetical/formation opportunities in a variety of settings.
- Kingdom Kids (K–5th grade) — Sunday evenings; uses 'Allelu!' (OSV) and 'Finding God' curricula; integrates Catechism, Scripture, and Catholic Social Teaching.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Preschool–5th grade) — Wednesday evenings; Montessori-based atrium approach.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — Sunday mornings during 9:00 AM Mass (PreK–1st grade).
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation — typically in 2nd grade; three preparation options (Kingdom Kids, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, or Rochester Catholic Schools).
- YDisciple Middle School Small Groups — 6th–8th grade, Wednesday evenings.
- Confirmation Preparation — two-year process, typically 9th–10th grade, Sunday evenings, using YDisciple.
- High School YDisciple Small Group & Student Leadership — Sunday evenings, post-Confirmation.
- Saint Carlo Acutis Youth Center (formerly Pax Christi Youth Center).
Liturgy & Sacraments
The parish coordinates the seven sacraments and liturgical life under the headings of Initiation, Healing, Vocation, and Reconciliation. Music is directed by Mark Scheitel.
- Initiation: Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, RCIA
- Healing: Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation
- Vocation: Marriage, discernment support
- Funerals: coordinated through the parish office
- Music ministry led by Director of Music Mark Scheitel
Women of Pax
The Women of Pax have been ministering within the parish since its 1973 founding. The first Pax Women's Group began in September 1974 as part of the Winona Council of Catholic Women, with seven small neighborhood groups. The group adopted the name 'Women of Pax' in 2005 and continues to serve the parish through retreats, funerals, fellowship, and service.
- Started September 1974 as part of the Winona Council of Catholic Women
- Original structure: 7 neighborhood small groups; general board with monthly meetings at church
- Name 'Women of Pax' adopted 2005
- Activities include: hosting retreats, catering funerals, fundraising, fellowship
Visiting & Joining Pax Christi
Newcomers may register online, complete a fillable PDF registration form, or pick up a paper form at the parish office or hospitality room. After registration, a parishioner from the pastoral council reaches out to welcome new families and accept prayer intentions, and a welcome packet is mailed. Information is entered into ParishSoft and Flocknote.
- Online registration via parish website
- Fillable PDF returned to [email protected]
- Paper registration available at the parish office or hospitality room
- Welcome visit from a pastoral council parishioner
- Activity bags for children near each entrance
- Quiet rest area for nursing mothers
- Hearing-assisted devices in the Hospitality Room
Contact & Visit
Parish office hours are 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. Phone 507-282-8542; email [email protected]; address 4135 18th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901. The parish maintains a Facebook page, Instagram, a YouTube channel (livestreamed Mass and recordings), and uses Flocknote for parish email communication.
- Address: 4135 18th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
- Phone: 507-282-8542
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Flocknote
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James McCauley1973–1989
Founding pastor developer; celebrated first Masses at Skate Country roller rink; established the parish family culture.
- (Second pastor)
Mentioned in parish history between McCauley and Trocinski.
- Fr. LaVern Trocinski1989–~2002
Third pastor; served 13 years; known affectionately as 'Fr. T'.
- Fr. Edward McGrath
Fourth pastor.
- Fr. Joseph Keefe–2011
Fifth pastor; served 7 years.
- Fr. Joe Fogal2011–2017
Served until retirement.
- Fr. Will Thompson2017–2020
Named Vicar General for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in 2020.
- Fr. John Sauer2020–present
Current pastor; came to Pax Christi in 2020; previously served parishes in Winona, Mankato, Austin, and Owatonna; celebrated 40th priestly anniversary in 2025.