About St. Joseph · Good Thunder, Minnesota
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a small rural parish located in the town of Good Thunder, in Blue Earth County, southern Minnesota. It is part of the Tri-Parish Cluster Community along with St. Matthew in Vernon Center and St. Teresa in Mapleton, all served by one priest and sharing a common parish office, faith-formation staff, and bulletin. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and traces its origins to 1856, when Irish Catholic settlers first gathered for Mass in a farmhouse west of town; today it continues a 150+ year-old tradition of worship in a simple New England Gothic–style church built in 1879.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Father Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
St. Joseph's offers the small-town warmth of a rural southern Minnesota parish with a 150+ year heritage of faith, while drawing on the shared resources of a tri-parish community. Active faith formation for First Communion, Confirmation, and family sacramental prep is well organized, weekday Mass is offered at sister parish St. Teresa's in Mapleton, and Sunday Mass at Good Thunder is celebrated every other week — making it easy to be a fully participating, registered Catholic with a real sense of belonging in Blue Earth County.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:30–7:50 AM — St. Teresa, Mapleton
- Thursday 7:30–8:00 AM — St. Teresa, Mapleton
- Saturday 4:30–4:50 PM — St. Joseph, Waldorf
- Thursday 7:30–8:30 AM — St. Teresa, Mapleton
Parish Identity & Tri-Parish Cluster
St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Good Thunder, Minnesota, is one of three parishes that together form a Tri-Parish Cluster Community of the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Its sister parishes are St. Matthew in Vernon Center and St. Teresa in Mapleton, and all three share a common pastor (currently Father Swaminatha 'Swamy' Pothireddy), a single parish office phone number (507-524-3127), one bulletin, and joint faith-formation staff. The parish office mailing address is 104 Silver St W, Mapleton, MN 56065.
- Cluster includes St. Joseph (Good Thunder), St. Matthew (Vernon Center), and St. Teresa (Mapleton)
- Shared pastor: Father Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy
- Single Tri-Parish office: 507-524-3127 / [email protected]
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
History of St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph's roots run to 1856, when Irish Catholic settlers from 'Erin's Isle' arrived in the Good Thunder area via Wisconsin by covered wagon. The parish community was formally established in 1868 with a Mass offered by Father Valentine Sommereisen in the Henry Weir home west of town. For more than a decade the mission was served by visiting priests from Mankato several times a year, with Mass and sacramental preparation held in private homes. In 1879 the present wood-frame, New England Gothic–style church was built under Father G. Graffweg. Stained glass windows followed in 1907, major basement and entrance work came in the mid-20th century, and a full interior restoration was completed in spring 2007. The parish celebrated the sesquicentennial of its church building on August 26, 2018.
- 1856 — Irish Catholic settlers arrive in Good Thunder area
- 1868 — first Mass offered at the Henry Weir home by Fr. Valentine Sommereisen
- 1879 — present church built under Fr. G. Graffweg (New England Gothic, ~$2,500)
- 1907 — stained glass windows added
- 1955–1967 — basement work and major refurbishing
- 1975 — entrance added, basement enlarged
- 1989 — joins Tri-Parish configuration with St. Matthew and St. Teresa
- 2007 — interior restoration completed
- August 26, 2018 — sesquicentennial celebration of the 1868 founding/1879 church
Pastoral Leadership & Staff
The tri-parish community is currently led by Father Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy, who serves as pastor for St. Joseph, St. Matthew, and St. Teresa. Faith formation and sacramental preparation are coordinated by parish staff including Becca Kuehn (First Penance and First Eucharist preparation, 507-524-4606) and Merissa Roth (youth and adult Confirmation, 507-524-4606). Vocations inquiries are referred to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester's Director of Vocations, Fr. Jason Kern.
- Father Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy — Pastor, 507-524-4628, [email protected]
- Becca Kuehn — First Communion / First Penance prep, 507-524-4606
- Merissa Roth — Confirmation prep (youth and adults), 507-524-4606
- Fr. Jason Kern — Diocesan Director of Vocations, 507-454-4643 ext. 253
Sacraments Offered
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism is encouraged for infants within their first weeks of life and is arranged through the Tri-Parish office. Children preparing for First Penance and First Eucharist work with Becca Kuehn; youth Confirmation preparation runs grades 9 through 11, with Confirmation typically received in November of 11th grade, coordinated by Merissa Roth. Adult Confirmation is available for baptized Catholics who have received First Eucharist. Couples must contact the pastor at least six months in advance of a wedding. The Anointing of the Sick is available any time by calling the parish office, and Holy Orders inquiries are referred to the diocesan Vocations Director.
- Baptism — contact Tri-Parish office, 507-524-3127 or [email protected]
- First Penance / First Eucharist — Becca Kuehn, 507-524-4606
- Confirmation (youth grades 9–11, November of 11th grade) — Merissa Roth, 507-524-4606
- Adult Confirmation — Merissa Roth, 507-524-4606
- Marriage — six-month notice to pastor required
- Anointing of the Sick — call parish office, 507-524-3127
- Holy Orders — Fr. Jason Kern, Diocesan Vocations Director, 507-454-4643 ext. 253
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for the tri-parish cluster is coordinated through the parish office and prepares children and teens for the Sacraments of Initiation. First Penance and First Eucharist preparation is led by Becca Kuehn, while youth Confirmation preparation spans grades 9 through 11 and culminates in Confirmation in November of the eleventh year, with catechists meeting with candidates from September onward. Adult Catholics seeking Confirmation who have already received Baptism and Eucharist may also contact Merissa Roth for information.
- First Penance / First Eucharist preparation — Becca Kuehn, 507-524-4606
- Youth Confirmation, grades 9–11 — Merissa Roth, 507-524-4606
- Adult Confirmation — Merissa Roth, 507-524-4606
Becoming a Registered Parishioner
St. Joseph's encourages newcomers and longtime residents alike to formally register as members. Registration provides a sense of belonging and identity, allows the pastor and staff to minister during times of crisis, keeps the parish in contact with parishioners via mail and email, enables year-end giving statements for tax purposes, makes one eligible to serve as a sacramental sponsor or godparent, and helps diocesan census numbers that determine priest assignments and programs. Children remain on their parents' registration until age 18, after which they are encouraged to register independently.
- Online registration available for St. Joseph, St. Matthew, or St. Teresa
- Active registered members are eligible for sponsor/godparent validation
- Notify the parish office of any address or phone changes
- Parish office: 507-524-3127
Visiting & Contact Information
St. Joseph Catholic Church stands at 130 N Ewing Street in Good Thunder, Minnesota 56037. The Tri-Parish office can be reached at (507) 524-3127 or by email at [email protected]. The pastor, Father Swaminatha Pothireddy, can also be reached directly at 507-524-4628 ([email protected]). The parish is part of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, whose directory lists St. Joseph as a parish under the pastoral care of Father Swamy Pothireddy.
- Address: 130 N Ewing St, Good Thunder, MN 56037
- Tri-Parish phone: 507-524-3127
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor's direct line: 507-524-4628
- Website: www.sjsmst.org
- Diocese: Diocese of Winona-Rochester