About St. Joseph of the Lakes · Lino Lakes, Minnesota
St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church is a vibrant suburban parish in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, serving more than 2,000 registered households across Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Lexington, Blaine and Centerville in the northern Twin Cities metro. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and traces its roots to a 19th-century mission of St. Genevieve's in Centerville. Today's parish community worships in a 1,400-seat worship space built in 1997 alongside the original 1897 brick church, which still stands on the Elm Street campus as the parish's 'Historic Church.' The parish mission is to proclaim the Gospel through Word, Worship, Community, Service, and Justice, and it is known throughout the area for its strong music ministry, faith formation programs for every age, and its annual Summer Festival.
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Bill Deziel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Joseph of the Lakes offers a full Catholic life for every age and stage: weekday and weekend Mass in both the modern Worship Space and the intimate 1897 Historic Church, daily Eucharistic Adoration from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and a strong music program including the Liturgical Choir and the contemporary Spirit Alive! group. Parishioners grow through OCIA (the adult initiation process), Confirmation preparation, Small Groups, men's and women's groups, and faith formation for children from preschool through high school. The parish lives its mission through Charity & Justice work (including Feed My Starving Children service trips), a robust Pastoral Care ministry (Anointing of the Sick, homebound visits, grief support, prison ministry), and community-wide events like the annual Summer Festival — all in service of being 'the heart, hands and feet of Jesus Christ.'
Mass times at St. Joseph of the Lakes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00–6:20 PM
- Wednesday 8:00–8:20 AM
- Friday 8:00–8:20 AM
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Sunday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Monday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Our Parish History
The community that became St. Joseph of the Lakes began in the 1850s when Rice Lake farm families traveled to St. Genevieve in Centerville for Mass. The first wood-frame church opened in 1889, was destroyed by a tornado in 1895, and was replaced by a brick church that still stands. The parish was renamed when the area became Lino Lakes in 1955, and the current 1,400-seat worship space was dedicated on the Feast of St. Joseph in 1997. Today's parish serves over 2,000 families.
- 1850s — Catholics travel to St. Genevieve's in Centerville
- 1888 — Pat Golden donates two acres; 12 residents donate $40 each to begin a wood church
- 1889 — First church opens; mission of St. Genevieve's, Father Joseph Goiffon as pastor
- 1891 — Church of St. Joseph of Rice Lake incorporated
- 1893 — First parish house built
- 1895 — Wood church destroyed by a severe storm
- 1897 — Brick church completed on the same site; Father Francis Combettes succeeds Father Goiffon
- 1955 — Rice Lake area officially renamed Lino Lakes
- 1961 — Father Edward Greskowiak named pastor; 15-acre campus plan launched
- 1963 — New church blessed by Archbishop Leo Binz on June 16; school opens in September
- 1996 — Groundbreaking for new church building on April 28
- 1997 — New 1,400-seat Worship Space completed; first Mass on March 23 (Feast of St. Joseph, March 19)
About Our Parish
St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church serves the Minnesota cities of Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Lexington, Blaine, and Centerville, with more than 2,000 registered households. Its mission is to proclaim the Gospel by Word, Worship, Community, Service, and Justice — to be 'the heart, hands and feet of Jesus Christ.' The parish campus at 171 Elm Street includes the 1897 Historic Church, the 1963 church (now an activity/gym space), the 1997 Worship Space, and the parish cemetery.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Pastor: Fr. Bill Deziel
- Deacon: Tom Konkel
- Families served: 2,000+
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Joseph of the Lakes is committed to lifelong faith formation 'womb to tomb,' supporting parents as the primary faith formers of their children. Programs run from preschool through high school, with dedicated staff coordinating each stage.
- Sara Knoll — Elementary and Middle School Faith Formation, including 2nd Grade Sacraments
- Amy Ward — Early Childhood Sunday Program (Pre-K/Kindergarten) and Time Travelers; coordinates Baptism preparation
- Sarah Ray — Director of Faith Formation; coordinates the 2-year High School Confirmation program
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
- Family Playtime for parents/caregivers and children birth through kindergarten
- Middle and High School Feed My Starving Children service nights
Adult Enrichment & OCIA
Adult formation is led by Jacob Wilson, Director of Evangelization & Adult Formation. The parish offers opportunities to grow in faith through small-group study, discernment, and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) — the process by which adults become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.
- Small Groups for study and reading (including 'The Perfect Prayer' Small Group)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Centering Prayer and Women's Reflection Retreats
- Continuing formation for parishioners at every stage of adult faith life
Pastoral Care & Support
Pastoral Care has at its source Jesus Christ and seeks to love and care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the community. The ministry is led by Meisha Johnson, Director of Pastoral Care, and offers a wide range of compassionate supports for parishioners in joy and in difficulty.
- Homebound & Hospital Ministry — visitors bring a listening ear and open heart
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Meisha Johnson to arrange
- Senior Ministry — social, physical, emotional, and spiritual activities for seniors
- Grief Ministry — support for those who have lost a loved one
- Prayer & Spirituality — prayer requests, prayer shawls, Centering Prayer, Women's reflection retreats
- Prison Ministry — prayers and support for the incarcerated
- Charity & Justice resource referral (Denise Walsh, Director) — mental health, food and housing assistance, spiritual care
Charity & Justice
The Charity & Justice Commission lives out the parish mission through both direct service (charity) and work to address the root causes of need (justice). The commission partners with Feed My Starving Children and other local and global outreach efforts.
- Feed My Starving Children service nights for middle and high schoolers and their parents (chartered bus from St. Joe's to Coon Rapids)
- Resource referral for mental health care, food and housing assistance
- Director: Denise Walsh (651-784-3015 x110, [email protected])
Liturgy & Music
Music is alive and a vibrant part of liturgy at St. Joseph of the Lakes. The Liturgical Choir joyfully praises God with a wide variety of musical styles that reflect the Catholic heritage — from traditional hymns to exuberant spirituals and contemporary songs of faith. The 10:00 AM Sunday Mass features the Spirit Alive! Group on the 2nd and 4th Sundays with an even more contemporary sound.
- Director of Music: Andrea Grasse (651-784-3015 x105)
- Liturgical Choir — wide-ranging Catholic repertoire
- Spirit Alive! contemporary ensemble — 2nd & 4th Sundays at 10:00 AM Mass
- Altar Servers, Soundboard and Video Board operators
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish staff is led by Pastor Fr. Bill Deziel and includes a Deacon, Parish Administrator, directors of Music, Charity & Justice, Evangelization & Adult Formation, Faith Formation, and Pastoral Care, plus coordinators for early childhood, communications/IT, facilities, cemetery, and administrative support. The Parish Pastoral Council meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:15 PM.
- Fr. Bill Deziel — Pastor
- Deacon Tom Konkel
- Amy Moore — Parish Administrator
- Andrea Grasse — Director of Music
- Denise Walsh — Director of Charity & Justice
- Jacob Wilson — Director of Evangelization & Adult Formation
- Sarah Ray — Director of Faith Formation & High School Faith Formation
- Sara Knoll — Elementary, Middle School, and 2nd Grade Sacraments Director
- Amy Ward — Early Childhood Sunday Program Coordinator
- Meisha Johnson — Director of Pastoral Care
- Anne Serwe — Communications & Information Technology
- Chuck Karth — Facilities Supervisor
- Bill Kusterman — Cemetery
- Jenni Hughes — Administrative Assistant
- Parish Pastoral Council commissions: Faith Formation, Charity & Justice, Liturgy/Worship, Communications/IT, Community Life, Facilities, Pastoral Care, Finance, Trustees
I'm New Here
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed. A map and directions are provided on the 'I'm New Here' page, and hearing assist packs are available at the sound booth. Visitors are not expected to put money in the offering; parishioners can give online or by check/cash during services.
- Address: 171 Elm St., Lino Lakes, MN 55014
- Office phone: 651-784-3015
- Hearing assist packs available
- Online giving available
- Volunteer opportunities across ministries
Getting Involved & Annual Events
Beyond regular liturgical and formation ministries, the parish comes together for community-wide events and welcomes new volunteers at every level — from Soundboard and Video Board operators to Altar Servers, Funeral Ministers, and Charity & Justice volunteers. All parish and school volunteers are required to complete VIRTUS Safe Environment training.
- Annual Summer Festival — August 8 & 9, 2026
- Knights of Columbus Council 9905 (chaplain: Fr. Bill Deziel)
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
- Baptism Preparation Classes
- VIRTUS Safe Environment training required for all volunteers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Goiffon1850s–c. 1897
First pastor; served both St. Genevieve in Centerville and the new mission at Rice Lake from the 1850s; oversaw construction of the first wood church (1888–1889) and the brick replacement church (dedicated 1897); retired after the brick church was completed.
- Father Francis Combettesc. 1897–
Succeeded Father Goiffon upon his retirement after the 1897 brick church was dedicated.
- Father Ceckapre-1961
Set aside parish funds for future needs, accumulating $100,000 for new construction before Father Greskowiak's arrival.
- Father Edward Greskowiak1961–
Named pastor in 1961; directed long-range plans for church, school, convent, permanent rectory and parking on 15 acres; oversaw the 1963 church blessing by Archbishop Binz and the opening of the parish school.
- Father Michael Anderson
Referenced in The Catholic Spirit as a former pastor who described the parish's early naming history.
- Fr. Bill Dezielcurrent
Current pastor; also serves as chaplain for Knights of Columbus Council 9905.