About St. Gregory the Great · North Branch, Minnesota
St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church is a small, mission-minded parish in North Branch, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Its roots stretch back to 1874, when rural Polish and interfaith settlers began gathering for prayer in their homes, long before there was a church building. Today the parish celebrates weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, offers weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and runs a robust faith formation program for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- St. Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I)
- Rector
- Fr. Matt Shireman (Parochial Administrator since July 1, 2022)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Gregory the Great offers the warmth of a small-town parish rooted in 150 years of faith. Worship is centered on a reverent celebration of the Eucharist, with daily and weekend Masses, multiple opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration (including a full Thursday day of Adoration from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm), and frequent confession times. Families are formed through the Kids in Christ (KIC) program for grades 1–8, the Disciples of Christ (DOC) Confirmation prep for grades 9–10, Vacation Bible School, a High School Youth Group, Friday Fun Nights, and adult Small Groups. A devoted staff and many volunteers — lectors, altar servers, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, choir, prayer shawl ministry, Saturday Hospitality, Coffee Sundays, and the Booya — make it easy to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Gregory the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 8:20 am
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 8:20 am
- Friday: 8:00 am – 8:20 am
- Saturday: 4:00 pm – 4:50 pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 7:30 am – 8:30 am
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (full day of Adoration)
- Friday: 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Our Story & Mission
The mission of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church of North Branch, Minnesota is to make Jesus known and loved, and to serve as an active sign of Christ's living presence in the community. The parish lives this out by celebrating and sharing its faith through Eucharistic liturgies, the sacramental life of the Church, prayer opportunities, and ongoing Catholic formation; by providing an atmosphere of hospitality, warmth, love, mercy, dignity, respect, and concern to all people; and by implementing the Catholic Church's social justice teachings, caring for those in need, and opening its hearts to all individuals.
- Rooted in rural Polish and interfaith families who settled in the North Branch area.
- Formally established as a mission parish in 1874.
- St. Joseph Cemetery established 1900; frame church built 1903 near 10th & Maple.
- Church damaged by fire in 1942; present church built 1962; parish hall added 1981.
- Clustered with Sacred Heart, Rush City in 2012; sanctuary expanded and renovated in 2016.
Meet Father Matt Shireman
Father Matt Shireman has been appointed by Archbishop Hebda as the Parochial Administrator for the parishes of St. Gregory the Great in North Branch and Sacred Heart church in Rush City. This is his first time being in charge of a parish; he started his new position on July 1, 2022. He can be reached at 651-674-4056 ext. 111 or [email protected].
- Role: Pastor / Parochial Administrator
- Phone: 651-674-4056 ext. 111
- Email: [email protected]
- Also serves Sacred Heart, Rush City (clustered parish)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments instituted by Jesus: the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist), the sacraments of healing (Penance, Anointing of the Sick), and the sacraments of service (Holy Orders and Matrimony). Preparation programs are available for each, including First Communion preparation and Confirmation preparation through DOC.
- Baptism — registration form available on the parish website
- Confirmation — through DOC program for Grades 9–10
- First Communion — annual preparation for 2nd graders and parents
- Penance / Reconciliation — see weekly confession schedule
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the parish office
- Matrimony — couples contact the parish office to begin preparation
- Holy Orders — discernment support through the parish
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Gregory the Great serves children, youth, and adults, with the goal of forming joyful missionary disciples of Christ. The parish office for Faith Formation is reached at 651-674-7382.
- Pre-K & K Sunday School (ages 3–Kindergarten, Sunday mornings after 10:30 am Mass)
Kids in Christ (KIC) — Grades 1–8
The K.I.C. (Kids In Christ) program empowers children and their families to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, to develop the habits of discipleship, and to decide each day to live as followers of Christ. Grades 1–5 use the 'Be My Disciples' curriculum; Grades 6–8 use 'Chosen, This is Your Catholic Faith.' The parish celebrates together with special liturgies and prayer services throughout the year and implements the Archdiocese's Children and Youth Safety Instruction lessons.
- Curriculum Grades 1–5: 'Be My Disciples'
- Curriculum Grades 6–8: 'Chosen, This is Your Catholic Faith'
- Coordinator: Barb Karel ([email protected], 651-674-7382 ext. 114)
- Admin Assistant: Patty Miller ([email protected], 651-674-7382 ext. 115)
Disciples of Christ (DOC) — Confirmation Grades 9–10
The DOC program coordinates Confirmation preparation for students in Grades 9–10.
- Coordinator: Danielle Miller ([email protected], 651-674-7382)
High School Youth Ministry
St. Gregory's runs a vibrant High School Youth Group that gathers at the Romero House, with friends from outside the church welcome (new attendees need a signed permission slip). Middle-school youth (Grades 6–8) gather for Friday Fun Nights in the Parish Hall.
- High School Youth Group (meets at the Romero House)
- Friday Fun Nights for Grades 6–8 (Parish Hall)
- Vacation Bible School
- Family Activities
- Youth Events Leader: Liz Long ([email protected], 651-674-7382)
- Director of Youth Music: Vince Hendren ([email protected])
Adult Faith Formation & Small Groups
Adults of every stage of questioning are welcomed at St. Gregory's — from those 'just wondering about Catholicism' to seasoned disciples. The parish has launched Small Groups rooted in Archbishop Hebda's pastoral letter 'You Will Be My Witnesses,' with the goal of fostering personal relationships, building community, and providing formation so parishioners may grow as joyful missionary disciples of Christ. Each Small Group focuses on a topic (Prayer during Lent, then Eucharist, Gospels, and Saints).
- Small Groups (ongoing)
- Mary and Martha Group
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (monthly meetings, off-site)
- Video Series: Stations of the Resurrection (in-season)
- Adult Bible Study resources
- Contact: 651-674-4056 or [email protected] to join a Small Group
Liturgical Ministries & Music
Parishioners of all ages are invited to serve at Mass through liturgical ministries. Volunteers assist with the celebration of the Eucharist at weekend and weekday Masses.
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (including kids/youth)
- Ushers
- Eucharistic Ministers (Communion to the Homebound included)
- Choir / Music — Music Director Cathie Hendren ([email protected], ext. 116)
- Director of Youth Music: Vince Hendren
Volunteering & Parish Life
Sharing in service is a hallmark of St. Gregory's. The parish offers many ways for adults and kids to give of their time, both inside the church and in the wider community. Safe-environment and background-check requirements apply.
- Adult Opportunities: Communion to the Homebound, Liturgical Roles, Ecumen, Faith Formation, Church Cleaning, Booya, Coffee Sunday
- Kids Opportunities: Altar Servers, Leaf Raking, Tree Sales, Church Cleaning
- Safe-environment coordinator: Donna Groschen (651-674-4056, [email protected])
St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Established in 1900, St. Joseph Cemetery remains an active ministry of St. Gregory the Great, serving the spiritual and burial needs of Catholic families in the North Branch area.
- Address: 14th Avenue & Elm Street, North Branch, MN 55056
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the cemetery: Wednesday 9:30 am – noon
- Sacrament of Reconciliation at the cemetery: First Sunday of each month, 8:00 – 8:20 am (or by appointment)
Sacred Heart, Rush City (Clustered Parish)
Since 2012, St. Gregory the Great has been clustered with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City, sharing one Parochial Administrator (Fr. Matt Shireman). Sacred Heart provides additional Mass and Reconciliation opportunities for parishioners in the surrounding area.
- Sunday Liturgy of the Eucharist: 8:30 am
- Weekday Mass: Wednesday 9:00 am
- First Saturday Mass: 9:00 am (Sacred Heart)
Parish Staff & Office
The parish staff is described as an extension of your Faith Family — here to listen, pray for, and accompany parishioners. The office is open five days a week, and the Faith Formation office has both summer and regular schedules.
- Parish Office Hours: Mon & Fri 8:00 am – 1:00 pm; Tue, Wed, Thu 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
- Faith Formation Office (Regular Hours): Tue & Thu 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Wed 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Faith Formation Office (Summer Hours): Tue & Wed 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Fr. Matt Shireman — Pastor (ext. 111, [email protected])
- Barb Karel — Elementary & Middle School Faith Formation Coordinator, KIC Grades 1–8 (ext. 114, [email protected])
- Danielle Miller — Confirmation Coordinator, DOC Grades 9–10 ([email protected])
- Liz Long — Youth Events Leader ([email protected])
- Patty Miller — Faith Formation Secretary (ext. 115, [email protected])
- Cathie Hendren — Music Director (ext. 116, [email protected])
- Vince Hendren — Director of Youth Music & Maintenance ([email protected])
Stay Connected
Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for the parish's bi-weekly newsletter via Flocknote, which carries more detail about events than the printed bulletin. The website (stgregorynb.org) hosts the latest news, Mass times, the bulletin, and registration forms for sacraments and faith formation programs.
- Flocknote: text GREGORY to 84576 or visit https://stgregorythegreat12.flocknote.com
- Website: https://www.stgregorynb.org/
- Parish Phone: 651-674-4056
- Faith Formation Phone: 651-674-7382
- Email: [email protected]
- Bulletin & News pages updated regularly