About Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Maplewood, Minnesota
The Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in Maplewood, Minnesota, founded in 1946 and belonging to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish is situated on one of the highest points in Ramsey County and serves as a beacon of faith for surrounding Maplewood and the East Side of St. Paul. Mass is celebrated in both English and Hmong, reflecting the diverse community of the area. The parish combines its 1946 founding roots with a modern, fan-shaped church completed in 1966, and today continues as a vibrant center of worship, Catholic education (through Presentation of Mary School), faith formation, and outreach.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father Toulee Peter Ly
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Presentation of Mary offers a welcoming Catholic home on a hill in Maplewood, with weekend Mass in both English and Hmong, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, and Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 2:00pm until midnight in the Divine Mercy Chapel. The parish is home to Presentation of Mary Catholic School, an active Family Faith Formation program for K–8 children, the OCIA process for adults becoming Catholic, a livestreamed Sunday Mass ministry for the homebound, and a wide array of parish ministries — from the Pastoral Council and Stewardship Committee to Loaves and Fishes, Respect Life, and Communion to the Homebound. A parish that began in 1946 with just 76 families still celebrates God with the same spirit today, grounded in Marian devotion under the patronage of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on November 21.
Mass times at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00–5:45 PM
- Thursday 5:00–5:45 PM
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM
- By appointment — contact [email protected]
Adoration times
- Divine Mercy Chapel: Monday 2:00 PM – Midnight
- Divine Mercy Chapel: Tuesday 2:00 PM – Midnight
- Divine Mercy Chapel: Wednesday 2:00 PM – Midnight
- Divine Mercy Chapel: Thursday 2:00 PM – Midnight
- Divine Mercy Chapel: Friday 2:00 PM – Midnight
Parish History
The parish was established by Archbishop John Gregory Murray on January 21, 1946, just six days before Msgr. Raymond Rutkowski celebrated its first Mass on January 27, 1946. Its founders were people profoundly shaped by World War II — soldiers returning from battle and civilians who had spent long years on the home front, all determined to put faith at the center of their lives. Beginning with 76 families, the parish first worshipped in Gladstone School, then moved to what is now known as Kenney Hall for nearly twenty years before settling into its present church.
- Established January 21, 1946 by Archbishop John Gregory Murray
- First Mass January 27, 1946, celebrated by Msgr. Raymond Rutkowski
- 76 founding families
- Early worship: Gladstone School, then Kenney Hall for ~20 years
- Current church completed in 1966
- Situated on one of the highest points in Ramsey County
- Modern, fan-shaped design reflecting Vatican II liturgical renewal
Our Patroness — The Presentation of Mary
Mary is the image of the Presentation of Mary family. She has become what this family and each of its members hope to become: always ready, always open to receive the Word of God, always open to do God's will, ready to take our place in the divine plan of salvation. The Feast of the Presentation of Mary, celebrated on November 21, is the parish's patronal feast — the title under which the community is dedicated to the service of God.
- Patronal feast: November 21 — Feast of the Presentation of Mary
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
Presentation of Mary celebrates weekend Mass in both English and Hmong, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday. The parish offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation three times a week and by appointment, and Eucharistic Adoration is available Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM until midnight in the Divine Mercy Chapel.
- Weekend Mass: Saturday 5:00 PM (English); Sunday 9:00 AM (English); Sunday 11:45 AM (English & Hmong, fully Hmong on the first Sunday of the month)
- Weekday Mass: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 8:00 AM; Friday at 8:45 AM
- First Saturday Mass at 9:00 AM
- Reconciliation: Tuesday and Thursday 5:00–5:45 PM; Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM; or by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration: Monday–Friday, 2:00 PM – Midnight in the Divine Mercy Chapel
- Live-streamed Mass on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays via Facebook
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by Pastor Father Toulee Peter Ly (since 2019), Deacons Mike Powers and Naokao Yang, and a staff that includes administrative, faith formation, music, maintenance, and school personnel.
- Father Toulee Peter Ly — Pastor (651-777-8116 / 651-842-6019)
- Deacon Mike Powers
- Deacon Naokao Yang
- Karen Simons — Administrative Assistant & Sacramental Coordinator
- Caresse Ly — Office Administrative Assistant (mornings, Mon–Fri)
- Kalia Thao — Administrative Assistant (Mon & Wed)
- Mary Davini — Administrative Assistant
- Ginger Graham — Business Administration Specialist (Wed & Fri)
- Daniel Kratoska — Family Faith Formation & Communications Coordinator
- Kay Mottaz — Parish Life Coordinator & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Donna Stoering — Music Director
- Susie Wolter — Presentation Discovery Center Director & Lead Teacher
- Matt O'Keefe — Principal (Presentation of Mary School)
- Dan Rath — Maintenance
- Keyla Balmaceda — Maintenance
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
Presentation of Mary welcomes new members into the Catholic Church as well as those needing to complete their Initiation Sacraments through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Weekly sessions provide conversion and an awakening of faith through study of the Gospel in light of Catholic tradition and dogma. Classes typically begin in the fall in preparation for the Easter sacraments.
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- For unbaptized adults and Catholic adults completing initiation
- Weekly sessions beginning in the fall
- Contact: Adult Faith Formation Office (651-842-6022)
Faith Formation & School
The parish supports Catholic education through Presentation of Mary Catholic School and a Sunday Family Faith Formation program for K–8 children. A concurrent parent/guardian class delves into the faith in greater depth, equipping families to foster Catholicism at home. Sacramental preparation includes First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
- Presentation of Mary Catholic School (Principal: Matt O'Keefe, 651-842-6032)
- Sunday Family Faith Formation between the 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM Masses, 10:15–11:30 AM
- Concurrent parent/guardian formation class
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- High school faith formation opportunities in development
- Adult Faith Formation opportunities offered
- Fee: $35/student, $70 max per family; adult catechists' children attend free
- Contact: Daniel Kratoska ([email protected])
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages are invited to serve at the altar, proclaim the Word, distribute Holy Communion, prepare the liturgical environment, and help livestream Mass for the homebound.
- Altar Servers (4th grade and up)
- Lectors (Contact: Doug Cunnien 651-770-1773)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Contact: Joyce McCabe 651-249-4692)
- Sacristans (Contact: Rick Bidwell 651-260-7032)
- Environment Committee
- Livestream Helpers (Sunday & Holy Day Masses; Wednesday & Friday weekday Masses)
- Baptism Gown Sewers (Contact: Karen Simons 651-779-2366)
Parish Groups & Outreach
The parish describes itself as 'proud to be the home of a number of faith-based groups' with options for all ages — ways to grow in faith, serve the community, and strengthen friendships with fellow parishioners.
- Pastoral Council (Chair: Nick Davini)
- Stewardship Committee (Contact: Kay Mottaz 651-842-6022)
- Pastoral Care Services at Senior Care Facilities
- Communion Ministers to the Homebound (Contact: Sheila Blanda 651-770-6407)
- Funeral Lunch Committee
- Fall Festival Committee (Contact: Jim Heymans 651-353-3866)
- Campus Enhancement Committee
- Respect Life Committee
- Loaves and Fishes (weekly food shelf deliveries)
- H.E.O. (Help Each Other)
- Prayer Line
- Monthly Rosary at Shores of Lake Phalen
Sacraments
Sacramental life is central to parish life at Presentation of Mary. Beyond the weekly Mass and Reconciliation schedule, the parish prepares adults and children for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Marriage, and brings Communion to the homebound and to seniors in care facilities.
- Baptism — Karen Simons is Sacramental Coordinator
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation for children
- Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation (couples prep team)
- Anointing of the Sick & pastoral care visits
- Reconciliation: Tue/Thu 5:00–5:45 PM, Sat 4:00–4:45 PM, or by appointment
- OCIA for adults becoming Catholic or completing initiation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Raymond Rutkowski1946–1977
Celebrated the parish's first Mass in 1946; retired in 1977; died August 29, 1986.
- Father William J. Kenney1977–1985
- Father Thomas H. Seig1985–1988
- Father Laurence R. Johnson1988–1992
- Father Charles V. Lachowitzer1993–2002
- Father Phillip J. Rask2002–2007
- Father Mark Huberty2007–2013
- Father Benny Mekkatt, CFIC2014–2016
- Father T. J. McKenzie2016–2019
- Father Toulee Peter Ly2019–present
Current pastor.