St. Michael

Parish Identity and Mission

St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kenyon, Minnesota, describes itself as a 'vibrant Roman Catholic Church Community operating under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul.' The parish greets visitors with the words 'Welcome to our Catholic Faith Community' and 'United in Christ,' emphasizing fellowship and sacramental worship as the heart of parish life. The parish is led by a small core staff supported by visiting priests from Divine Mercy in Faribault.

History of St. Michael Parish

Catholic life in Kenyon began informally in 1905 with the celebration of Mass in the town's old opera house, in what was then a predominantly Norwegian Protestant settlement. For nearly four decades, the area was mission territory served by visiting priests. In 1943, St. Michael was officially established as a parish, and the present church building was completed in 1955. Beginning in 1973, the parish began sharing a priest with the Church of St. Michael in Pine Island, a relationship that has evolved into today's shared pastoral arrangement with Divine Mercy in Faribault.

• 1905 – First Mass celebrated in the old Kenyon opera house
• 1905–1943 – Mission territory with occasional visits from area priests
• 1943 – St. Michael officially established as a parish
• 1955 – Present church building completed
• 1973 – Began sharing a priest with St. Michael, Pine Island
• Present – Served by priests of Divine Mercy, Faribault

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is staffed by a combination of clergy from Divine Mercy in Faribault and dedicated lay staff in the Kenyon parish office. Father Cory Rohlfing serves as pastor, with a parochial vicar (Father Marquette) assisting. Deacon Newell McGee supports sacramental preparation, particularly marriage, and is available to parishioners for Anointing of the Sick and other needs.

• Father Cory Rohlfing – Pastor (507-334-7706 ext. 1014, [email protected])
• Father Marquette – Parochial Vicar (507-334-7706 ext. 1016, [email protected])
• Deacon Newell McGee – (507-259-4830)
• Karla Neisen – Parish Office / Safe Environment Coordinator ([email protected])
• JoAnn Erie – Faith Formation ([email protected])
• Jan Ellingsberg – Bookkeeper ([email protected])
• Emergency line: (507) 345-9212

Worship Schedule

St. Michael's offers a straightforward weekly Mass schedule supplemented by monthly adoration and regular confession opportunities. Schedules are published in the weekly parish bulletin, which is posted online as a PDF for parishioners.

• Sunday Mass – 8:00 AM
• Wednesday Daily Mass – 5:00 PM
• Confession – Most Wednesdays after 5 PM Mass; by appointment; some scheduled before/after Mass
• Adoration – First Wednesday of the month, 5:30 PM–6:30 PM

Sacraments

The parish website provides clear, practical guidance for the seven sacraments and encourages parishioners to contact the parish office well in advance of any scheduled celebration. Couples preparing for marriage are asked to meet with Deacon Newell McGee at least once in addition to attending a Pre-Cana retreat.

• Baptism – call the parish office at least two months prior
• Matrimony – contact parish office at least six months in advance; Pre-Cana retreat required; meet with Deacon Newell
• Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites – emergency line (507) 345-9212
• Confession – see bulletin or contact a priest in advance; priests are also available after Mass
• Funerals – planning resources available on the parish website

Faith Formation and Education

Faith Formation at St. Michael's is coordinated by JoAnn Erie, who can be reached at [email protected]. The parish offers religious education for parishioners as part of its core ministry, complementing the Sunday and Wednesday liturgical schedule.

• Faith Formation Coordinator: JoAnn Erie ([email protected])

Safe Environment

Following Archdiocesan policy, St. Michael's requires all clergy, employees, and volunteers who have regular or unsupervised interaction with minors or vulnerable adults to complete the Essential 3 requirements: VIRTUS safe environment training, a criminal background check, and adherence to a code of conduct. Children and youth in faith formation and youth ministry receive age-appropriate personal safety lessons as part of the broader Archdiocesan safe environment program.

• Safe Environment Coordinator: Karla Neisen ([email protected], 507-789-6120)
• Training and resources: safe-environment.archspm.org

Bulletin and Communications

St. Michael's publishes a weekly parish bulletin that includes the most current Mass and confession schedule, ministry announcements, and pastoral information. Bulletins are posted on the parish website as PDFs, with recent editions available to read online.

• Latest bulletin available on the parish website's Weekly Bulletin page
• Recent archived bulletins listed (e.g., February 15, 2026; December 21, 2025)

Visiting and Joining the Parish

The parish welcomes visitors and newcomers and invites them to use the contact form on the website to inquire about joining or to ask questions. New parishioners are welcomed to worship with the community at Sunday Mass or to call the parish office during weekday hours for information about registration, sacraments, and parish life.

• Parish Office: 108 Bullis Street, Kenyon, MN 55946
• Office Phone: (507) 789-6120
• Office Email: [email protected]