About St. Alphonsus · Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, located at 7025 Halifax Ave N in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, is a diverse Catholic community of more than 2,000 parishioners led by the Redemptorists (the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer). Founded in 1959, it was the first Redemptorist parish in Minnesota and takes its name from St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorist order. Today the parish offers Mass in both English and Spanish, Eucharistic adoration three days a week, the sacrament of reconciliation, faith formation, and a wide range of ministries serving the immigrant and Latino communities of the northwest metro area.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Alphonsus Liguori (founder of the Redemptorists)
- Rector
- Fr. John Schmidt, C.Ss.R.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Alphonsus is a welcoming, multi-cultural Catholic community of more than 2,000 families served by a resident community of Redemptorist priests, with daily and Sunday Mass offered in both English and Spanish, Eucharistic adoration multiple days a week, and a strong tradition of accompanying immigrants and families through food, rent, and pastoral outreach. Newcomers find a vibrant worship life, devotion to St. Alphonsus Liguori, and an active Knights of Columbus Council (No. 6772) and broad ministry program ready to welcome them into parish life.
Mass times at St. Alphonsus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:15 PM (Spanish)
- Saturday 8:30 AM (English)
- Saturday 4:00 PM (English)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Friday 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Who We Are
St. Alphonsus describes itself as a diverse Catholic community of over 2,000 parishioners led by the Redemptorists, committed to 'bringing the Gospel to the poor and most abandoned.' Pastor Fr. John Schmidt, C.Ss.R., who professed his vows in 1985, frames his ministry around the Redemptorist charism of abundant redemption and invites newcomers to grow together in Christ.
Parish History
Founded by the Redemptorists in 1959, St. Alphonsus was the first Redemptorist parish in Minnesota. The first Mass in the original church was celebrated May 8, 1960, the parish school opened in 1961, the present church was completed in 1969, and major construction in 1997–98 added a gathering area, social hall, education wing, and an expanded worship space.
- 1959 — parish founded with about 1,000 families
- 1960 — first Mass in original church, May 8
- 1961 — parish school opens
- 1969 — present church completed
- 1997 — major renovation: gathering area, social hall, education wing, bridal/child-care rooms
- 1998 — worship space expanded
- 2024 — parish school closes after 65 years
Redemptorist Fathers & Staff
St. Alphonsus is staffed by a resident community of Redemptorist priests (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) of the Denver Province, together with a permanent deacon and parish staff. The parish priest team is led by Pastor Fr. John Schmidt, C.Ss.R., and Parochial Vicar & Rector Fr. Scott Katzenberger, C.Ss.R.
- Pastor — Fr. John Schmidt, C.Ss.R.
- Parochial Vicar & Rector — Fr. Scott Katzenberger, C.Ss.R.
- In Residence — Fr. Patrick J. Grile, Fr. Gary Lauenstein, Fr. Bill Peterson, Fr. Greg Wiest, Fr. Marcel Okwara (all C.Ss.R.)
- Permanent Deacon — Fr. Francisco Peréz Colunga; Deacon Michael Wurdock
Sacramental Schedule
Reconciliation is offered weekly in both English and Spanish, and Eucharistic adoration is available three days a week. The parish also prays the rosary each weekday morning.
- Confessions — Thu 7:15 PM (Spanish); Sat 8:30 AM & 4:00 PM (English); by appointment
- Adoration — Tue 1–8 PM; Thu 1–6 PM; Fri 1–6 PM
- Rosary — Mon–Fri 8:30 AM
Ministries & Organizations
The parish invites parishioners to engage through liturgical service, outreach, music, and parish life. A network of ministries supports the multi-cultural community, including immigrant family assistance, faith formation, OCIA, Knights of Columbus Council 6772, and music ministry.
- Knights of Columbus Council No. 6772 (Father Donald Schumaker Council)
- Faith Formation / Religious Education
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Spanish-language and Latino ministry
- Outreach to African immigrant communities
- Music Ministry (English and Spanish)
- Immigrant family assistance program
Multi-Cultural Community & Outreach
The parish is home to large Spanish-speaking and African immigrant communities (Mexico, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ecuador, Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Togo). During the 2025 'Operation Metro Surge' federal immigration operations, St. Alphonsus provided food, rent help, and spiritual accompaniment to about 160 Latino families while continuing livestreamed Mass and home visits for the homebound.
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, with a lunch closure 12:30–1:30 PM. Messages can be sent through the website or by phone.
- Address — 7025 Halifax Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
- Phone — (763) 561-5100
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — http://www.stalsmn.org/
St. Alphonsus School (1961–2024)
St. Alphonsus School opened in 1961 alongside the parish and educated generations of Brooklyn Center children for 65 years. Declining enrollment (from 175 students a decade ago to under 100) and a chronic shortage of teachers led Pastor Fr. John Schmidt, in consultation with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, to announce the school's closure at the end of the 2023–24 academic year. The adjoining church remains open and continues its Redemptorist ministries.
Pastoral Lineage
St. Alphonsus has been served by a succession of Redemptorist pastors. Fr. Pat Grile served as pastor from 1999 to 2011, overlapping with Fr. Joseph Stenger (associate pastor 2003, retired 2007, continued ministry until 2015). Fr. John Schmidt was appointed pastor on October 10, 2019.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Pat Grile, C.Ss.R.1999–2011
Pastor; longtime Brooklyn Center Redemptorist who collaborated with Fr. Joseph Stenger in building up the Spanish-language ministry.
- Fr. Joseph Stenger, C.Ss.R.2003–2015
Joined as associate pastor in 2003, retired 2007, but continued ministering at the parish until 2015; died Sept. 2, 2024 in Liguori, MO at age 88. Former Brazilian missionary who learned Spanish to serve the growing Latino community.
- Fr. John Schmidt, C.Ss.R.2019–present
Appointed pastor Oct. 10, 2019; a priest of the Redemptorists Denver Province, professed vows in 1985, background in parish ministry, formation, and provincial leadership.