St. Francis Xavier

About St. Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier is a small Catholic parish in Lake Park, Minnesota, within the Diocese of Crookston. The parish's About page traces its origin to 1884, when it was established as a mission church on a lot donated by Thomas Canfield. It has since grown into a community that the parish itself describes as 'a welcoming, caring community, alive in faith and full of hope in Christ.' The parish views itself through the lens of Vatican II and the revised Code of Canon Law: 'a parish is not a place where, but a people who.' All the baptized — clergy, religious, and laity — share responsibility for continuing the mission of Jesus.

Parish History

From its 1884 mission origins on what is now 5th Street, through many itinerant missionaries, the parish was shepherded by Father Adam Junghams of Frazee (1921–1939), then by its first resident pastor, Rev. J. A. Bisson (1939–1970). In 1941 the old mission church was physically moved across town — together with a Lutheran church — and spliced together to form a single new worship space. That combined building was demolished in 1966 to make way for the present concrete-and-brick church, dedicated by Bishop Glenn on April 19, 1967. A parish house was rebuilt attached to the church in 1978, and a north-side addition in 2014 brought handicap-accessible restrooms, a kitchenette, and a large gathering space.

• 1884: Mission church founded on a lot donated by Thomas Canfield
• Original mission church cost about $1,000 to build
• 1921–1939: Father Adam Junghams of Frazee takes charge of the mission
• 1939: Rev. J. A. Bisson installed as first resident pastor; first Mass attended by 13 people
• July 16, 1941: Old Catholic mission church and a Lutheran church are moved across town to the present site and spliced together
• 1966: Old combined church demolished after 82 years
• April 19, 1967: Bishop Glenn dedicates the new concrete-and-brick church
• 1970: Fr. Bisson dies unexpectedly on September 3
• 1978: Parish house replaced with a new house attached to the church
• Fall 2014: North-side addition adds accessible restrooms, kitchenette, and gathering space

Religious Education & Youth Ministries

The parish maintains a Religious Education & Youth Ministries program for its children and youth, with a published Sunday School schedule. Parish bulletins and the Religious Education page reference Religious Education (RE) classes meeting on Sunday mornings, often at 8:45 AM, with choir practice following at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM (later 10:30 AM) Mass. Sacramental milestones such as First Communion and Confirmation are celebrated as part of parish life.

• Sunday School Schedule published annually
• First Communion preparation (e.g., First Communicants presented with gifts at a Sunday Mass)
• Confirmation preparation
• Teacher Appreciation Sunday

Parish Ministries & Lay Service

St. Francis Xavier draws on a wide circle of lay ministers to support its liturgies and pastoral care. A rotating schedule of Ministers of Communion, Lectors, Cantors, Altar Servers, Greeters, Ushers, Counters, and Presentation of Gifts is published in the parish bulletin. A Prayer Chain (coordinated by Lois Elder at 238-5999 and Barb Schauer at 532-2674) prays for parishioners who are sick, hospitalized, or in need. The parish also runs a Soup Supper and Stations of the Cross during Lent.

• Ministers of Communion (Eucharistic Ministers)
• Lectors
• Cantors and Choir (with weekly practice)
• Altar Servers
• Greeters and Ushers
• Counters and Presentation of Gifts
• Prayer Chain (Lois Elder 238-5999; Barb Schauer 532-2674)
• Soup Supper and Stations of the Cross during Lent
• Visits to the sick and hospitalized — coordinated through the parish office at 238-6639

Parish Leadership & Staff

The parish is led by Pastor Msgr. Reverend Mike Foltz, who is reachable at the rectory at 218-238-6639, on cell at 701-238-3600, or by email at [email protected]. A Pastoral/Finance Council guides parish decisions and finance, and Trustees serve alongside it. A parish Secretary/Bookkeeper (Jan Thompson, as listed in the 2015 bulletin) runs the parish office during posted hours.

• Pastor: Msgr. Reverend Mike Foltz
• Parish Secretary/Bookkeeper (Jan Thompson)
• Pastoral/Finance Council (rotating membership including chair, trustees, and members)
• Trustees (per 2015 bulletin: Julie Mattson and Dan Pritchard)
• Parish office phone: 218-238-6639; Fax: 218-238-6718

Faith Formation & Sacramental Life

Sacramental life at St. Francis Xavier centers on the regular Sunday and weekday Masses, Friday morning Eucharistic Adoration, and the Anointing of the Sick celebrated periodically during the year. The parish prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation through Religious Education classes. A diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator (Louann McGlynn, Diocese of Crookston) is also listed in parish bulletins.

• Sunday and weekday Masses
• Friday morning Eucharistic Adoration
• Anointing of the Sick
• First Communion preparation
• Confirmation preparation
• Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator contact (Louann McGlynn, Diocese of Crookston)

Community Life & Outreach

Beyond the sanctuary, St. Francis Xavier is woven into the Lake Park community. Parishioners serve coffee and bars at Bingo on Sunday evenings at the American Legion in Lake Park during the months of May, June, September, and October, with sign-ups organized in the church entry. The parish welcomes new members with a periodic New Members Welcome Breakfast and supports Catholic education through an Educational Scholarship Program linked from the parish homepage.

• Bingo at the American Legion in Lake Park — May, June, September, October
• New Members Welcome Breakfast (e.g., Sunday, April 19, 2015)
• Educational Scholarship Program
• Catholic Home Missions Appeal
• Mission statement: 'a welcoming, caring community, alive in faith and full of hope in Christ'

Visiting & Contact

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is located at 2066 2nd Street, Lake Park, MN 56554. The parish office can be reached at 218-238-6639 or via email at [email protected]. The parish shares its pastor with St. Mary of the Lakes (rectory 218-439-3938), which celebrates Sunday Mass at 8:30 AM and Wednesday/Thursday Masses at 9:00 AM. Visitors are warmly welcomed and invited to register as parishioners using the form found in the bulletin or by contacting the parish office.

• Address: 2066 2nd Street, Lake Park, MN 56554
• Parish phone: 218-238-6639
• Pastor email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.stfrancisxavier.cc
• Related parish: St. Mary of the Lakes (rectory 218-439-3938)