About St. Gerard Majella · Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
The Church of St. Gerard Majella is a Roman Catholic parish in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1970 and rooted in the Redemptorist, Franciscan (T.O.R.), and now diocesan priestly traditions, the parish describes itself as a faith community striving to love God and neighbor, where all are welcome 'no matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey.' Today St. Gerard is bilingual, with a significant Vietnamese Catholic community served alongside English-speaking parishioners — Vietnamese parishioners make up roughly a third of those registered — and it offers daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and youth, and a wide range of liturgical and pastoral ministries.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- St. Gerard Majella
- Rector
- Rev. Charles V. (Charlie) Lachowitzer
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Gerard Majella is a bilingual, Christ-centered Catholic community in northwest-suburban Brooklyn Park that welcomes everyone and is shaped by more than five decades of shared history — Redemptorist, Franciscan, and now diocesan. Parishioners find daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Vietnamese, weekly Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel on Wednesdays, a faith formation program for children and youth on Wednesday evenings, a strong liturgical music ministry supported by volunteer singers and instrumentalists, and a long list of pastoral-care and social-justice ministries (including Sharing & Caring Hands, the Knights of Columbus, Women's Ministry, Loaves and Fishes, and Habitat for Humanity partnerships). For those looking for a parish where participation, mutual support, and a deep concern for the wider Brooklyn Park community are central to its mission, St. Gerard offers an active and welcoming spiritual home.
Mass times at St. Gerard Majella
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Lenten Communal Confessions (e.g., Sunday 1:00–2:00 PM during Lent)
Adoration times
- Wednesdays, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM in the chapel
Our Parish
Our Parish is the introduction page for the Church of St. Gerard Majella, where prospective and current parishioners can read a 'Letter from the Pastor' from Fr. Charlie Lachowitzer, an overview of the parish's history, and a statement of Our Mission. The parish describes itself as a Roman Catholic faith community striving to love God and our neighbors, welcoming all people no matter where they are on life's journey.
- Letter from the Pastor — Fr. Charlie Lachowitzer
- Our Mission statement
- Our History (from 1970 founding to today)
- Founded 1970; 50th Anniversary celebrated in 2020
Our History
The history page tells the full founding story of St. Gerard: decree of the parish on January 23, 1970; the first Mass on February 14, 1970 at Riverview United Methodist Church; Fr. Robert Oelerich as founding pastor; the move to the parish's first building on February 6, 1972; the Redemptorist era (1970–1990); the Franciscan T.O.R. era (1990–c. 2017); the dedication of the current Worship Space on October 3, 1998; the brief return of the Redemptorists (2017–2019); and the current era of Archdiocesan priests Fr. John Klockeman, Fr. Joseph-Quốc Thiện Vương, Fr. Charles V. Lachowitzer (pastor), and Fr. Paul Phong Tan Le (parochial vicar for the Vietnamese community).
- Decreed January 23, 1970 at the Archdiocesan Chancery Office
- First Mass: February 14, 1970, at Riverview United Methodist Church
- Founding pastor: Fr. Robert Oelerich; associate: Fr. Earnest Larsen
- Moved into own church building: February 6, 1972
- Current Worship Space built: October 3, 1998
- Three priestly eras: Redemptorists → Franciscans T.O.R. → Archdiocesan
Sacraments
The Sacraments page publishes the parish Mass schedule, the confession schedule, and guidance for Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Baptism. It notes reconciliation on Saturdays at 4:00 PM or by appointment.
- Mass times listed (English and Vietnamese)
- Confession: Saturdays 4:00 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage preparation
- Baptism
Faith Formation
Faith Formation runs on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 7:15 PM and serves Kindergarten through 12th grade with Catechists, classroom and hall monitors, and Prayer Warriors. The program includes elementary grades and a multi-year Confirmation track (6th grade Confirmation prep through 8th-12th grade small groups), and acknowledges that its success depends on parishioners willing to share time, talent, and faith. All volunteers must complete VIRTUS training and a background check. Registration for the 2025–2026 year opened on or before September 30, and classes began Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
- Classes Wednesday evenings 6:00–7:15 PM
- Elementary: K, 1, 2, etc.
- Confirmation: 6th grade prep; 7th grade Year 1; 8th grade Year 2
- High school small groups for grades 9–12
- Director of Faith Formation: Maredith Toweh ([email protected])
- Contact parish office at 763-424-8770
Ministries
The Ministries landing page serves as a directory of parish groups and service opportunities, with sub-pages for Sharing & Caring Hands, Funerals, the Knights of Columbus, the Women's Ministry, Liturgical ministries, Music, and Pastoral Care. These communities give parishioners concrete ways to live the parish mission of active participation, mutual support, and reaching out beyond the parish to the wider Brooklyn Park community.
- Sharing & Caring Hands
- Funerals
- Knights of Columbus
- Women's Ministry
- Liturgical Ministries
- Music Ministry
- Pastoral Care
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministries — coordinated by Liturgy Coordinator Debby Boyd at [email protected] — invite confirmed Catholics to serve at Mass in five named positions. Volunteers sign in through Ministry Scheduler Pro.
- Mass Coordinator
- Lector (Proclaimer of the Word)
- Eucharistic Minister
- Usher (Minister of Hospitality)
- Sacristan
- Coordinated by Debby Boyd
Music Ministry
The parish Music Ministry serves all weekend Masses with singers and instrumentalists who volunteer their time and talent, and also recruits Sound Board and Projectionist team members. The ministry traces its roots to 1974, building on the strong foundations of former directors including Christopher Atkins and Patrick Balder. It welcomes students in school orchestra and band programs as a way to earn service hours, and many of its members also serve as Lectors, Ushers, Faith Formation Teachers, Eucharistic Ministers, and council members.
- Music Director: Karen Blomgren ([email protected])
- Singers and instrumentalists serving all weekend Masses
- Sound Board and Projectionist teams
- Roots in parish music since 1974
- Influential early directors: Christopher Atkins, Patrick Balder
Pastoral Care & Community Life
Pastoral Care at St. Gerard is led by Pastoral Care Assistant Sue Dupay ([email protected]) and Director of Pastoral Care & Community Life Joni Sandlin ([email protected], 952-600-7149). The parish also has long-running outreach partnerships including Loaves and Fishes (since 1982), Habitat for Humanity (since 1993), Sharing & Caring Hands, and the Knights of Columbus.
- Pastoral Care Assistant: Sue Dupay
- Director of Pastoral Care & Community Life: Joni Sandlin
- Loaves and Fishes (since 1982)
- Habitat for Humanity (since 1993)
- Sharing & Caring Hands
- Knights of Columbus
Parish Leadership & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Charles V. Lachowitzer (Pastor) and Fr. Paul Phong Tan Le (Parochial Vicar for the Vietnamese community, assigned July 2021). Supporting clergy and staff include: Maredith Toweh (Parish Administrator & Director of Faith Formation); Teresa Robinson (Business Manager); Jean Schultz (Administrative Assistant & Safe Environment Coordinator); Karen Blomgren (Music Director); Sue Dupay (Pastoral Care Assistant); Joni Sandlin (Director of Pastoral Care & Community Life); Bob Imholte (Facilities Director); and Chad Rohr (role not detailed in the search results). The parish is governed through a Parish Council and a Finance Council, with trustees Peggy Louiselle and Steve Robinson.
- Pastor: Rev. Charles V. Lachowitzer
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Paul Phong Tan Le (VIET)
- Parish Administrator & Director of Faith Formation: Maredith Toweh
- Business Manager: Teresa Robinson
- Music Director: Karen Blomgren
- Director of Pastoral Care & Community Life: Joni Sandlin
- Pastoral Care Assistant: Sue Dupay
- Administrative Assistant & Safe Environment Coordinator: Jean Schultz
- Facilities Director: Bob Imholte
- Chad Rohr
- Parish Council and Finance Council active
Fr. Charles V. Lachowitzer — Pastor
Fr. Charles V. Lachowitzer was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1990. His first assignment was Parochial Vicar of the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater and principal of St. Croix Catholic School. He became pastor of the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Maplewood in 1993, then pastor of the Church of St. John Neumann in Eagan (and president of the Board of Faithful Shepherd Catholic School) in 2002. In 2013 he was appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese, and in 2021 he was named pastor of St. Gerard Majella in Brooklyn Park and Vicar General in the field for the Archdiocese. Before entering St. Paul Seminary in 1985, Fr. Charlie was a public-school teacher, summer-camp program director, elementary-school principal, and independent-school-district superintendent — all in Washington State. He grew up on the East Side of St. Paul, attending St. Pascal's Catholic School, Harding High School, and the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
- Ordained 1990 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
- Former Parochial Vicar, St. Michael, Stillwater
- Former Pastor, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Maplewood
- Former Pastor, St. John Neumann, Eagan
- Former Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia (2013)
- Pastor of St. Gerard Majella since 2021
Fr. Paul Phong Tan Le — Parochial Vicar (VIET)
Fr. Paul Phong Tan Le serves as Parochial Vicar for the Vietnamese community at St. Gerard Majella. He was assigned by Fr. Charles V. Lachowitzer in July 2021 and continues to serve the Vietnamese Catholic faithful of the parish and surrounding area today.
- Assigned July 2021 by Fr. Charles V. Lachowitzer
- Serves the Vietnamese community at St. Gerard Majella
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 763-424-8770 or [email protected], or visit in person at 9600 Regent Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
- Address: 9600 Regent Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
- Phone: 763-424-8770
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: M–Th 9am–4pm; F 9am–1pm
- Website: st-gerard.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Robert Oelerich1970 – founding pastor
Came from St. Alphonsus to be the first pastor; envisioned a Christ-centered parish of smaller faith communities. Known as Fr. 'O'.
- Fr. Earnest Larsen1970 – associate
First associate pastor.
- The Redemptorist Fathers (C.Ss.R.)1970 – 1990
First religious order to staff the parish.
- The Franciscan Friars, T.O.R.1990 – c. 2017
Built and dedicated the current Worship Space on October 3, 1998.
- The Redemptorists (returned)2017 – 2019
Brief second tenure.
- Rev. Charles V. Lachowitzer2021 – present
First diocesan-archdiocesan pastor era after religious-order era; also serves as Vicar General in the field for the Archdiocese. Fr. Paul Phong Tan Le was assigned by him as Parochial Vicar in July 2021 to serve the Vietnamese community.