About St. Michael · Pine Island, Minnesota
Church of St. Michael is a Roman Catholic parish located at 451 5th Street SW in Pine Island, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1878, the parish shares its pastor and mission with the neighboring Church of St. Paul in Zumbrota, together forming the 'Churches of St. Paul and St. Michael' Catholic faith community. St. Michael currently serves approximately 300 families with a traditional schedule that includes a Latin (Tridentine) Mass on Sunday mornings, a Saturday Vigil Mass, daily Mass on Wednesdays and Fridays, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Confession. The parish emphasizes faith formation for children and youth, sacramental preparation, and stewardship rooted in the community's agricultural heritage.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Fr. Randal Kasel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Michael offers a traditional Catholic life centered on the sacraments, including a Latin (Tridentine) Mass on Sunday mornings, daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, and frequent Confession opportunities. The parish actively forms children and youth in the faith through its Faith Formation program and welcomes returning Catholics and those inquiring about becoming Catholic. With roughly 300 families, it is a tight-knit rural community grounded in its agricultural heritage, faithful stewardship, and pastoral care for the sick, homebound, and grieving.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM (before daily Mass)
- Friday 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM (before daily Mass)
- Saturday 4:00 PM - 4:50 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History and Heritage
Saint Michael's Parish was founded in 1878, when the cornerstone of the first church was laid on July 4 of that year in the center of Pine Island. The community originally considered building near the present cemetery, but after consultation the founders chose a town location to serve more people. The first church served for nearly 90 years before a new church was built at 451 5th Street SW; that building was dedicated on September 27, 1970, and the old church was demolished in November 1970. The parish has since marked its 100th anniversary in 1978 and its 125th on June 29, 2003.
- Founded 1878; original cornerstone laid July 4, 1878
- New church groundbreaking August 1969 at 451 5th St SW
- New church dedicated September 27, 1970
- 100th Anniversary celebrated 1978
- 125th Anniversary celebrated June 29, 2003
Mission and Identity
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in unity with the parishes of the Archdiocese, St. Michael's mission is to express and grow toward life in Christ through worship, education, service, and action for social justice. The parish remembers its agricultural roots and, nourished by the sacraments, strives to develop a living faith, minister to the needs of others, foster love and care throughout the community, provide educational experiences for all, and continue faithful stewardship of land and other resources.
- Develop a living faith
- Minister to the needs of others
- Foster love and care throughout the community
- Provide educational experiences for all
- Continue faithful stewardship of land and resources
Parish Staff and Clergy
The Churches of St. Paul (Zumbrota) and St. Michael (Pine Island) are served by a single pastor, with parish staff supporting the office and ministries. St. Michael's contact page lists the pastor and parish staff for the Pine Island location.
- Fr. Randal Kasel — Pastor (serves both St. Paul, Zumbrota and St. Michael, Pine Island)
- Sara McNamara — Staff
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Michael is built on the principle that parents are the first and foremost catechists of their children. The program partners with the Church of St. Paul in Zumbrota and is offered for children from age 4 through 8th grade, including sacramental preparation for First Penance and First Eucharist (2nd grade) and Confirmation (7th and 8th grade). Sessions include a shared meal, classroom instruction, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction, with Stations of the Cross during Lent.
- Programs for ages 4 through 8th grade
- First Penance and First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation (7th and 8th grade)
- Weekly Adoration and Benediction for students and parents
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments. Parents register children for 2nd grade Faith Formation to receive First Penance and First Eucharist, and for 7th and 8th grade Faith Formation to prepare for Confirmation. Baptisms are scheduled after a class; weddings require at least six months' notice; and Anointing of the Sick is available on request, especially for serious or near-death situations.
- Baptism — contact the office for a class and to set a date
- First Penance and Eucharist — via 2nd grade Faith Formation
- Confirmation — via 7th and 8th grade Faith Formation
- Marriage — at least six months' notice to the office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the office
- Pastoral Care of the Sick / homebound Communion visits
- Funerals — contact the office
Becoming Catholic and Returning Catholics
The parish welcomes those interested in becoming Catholic as well as Catholics who have been away and wish to return. Those baptized but missing Confirmation or First Communion are encouraged to call the office to make an appointment with Fr. Kasel. People who have married outside the Church are invited to speak with the pastor about how to return to the sacraments.
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic — contact the office
- Returning Catholics — appointment with Fr. Kasel
- Those in irregular marriages — speak with the pastor
Stewardship, Volunteers, and Parish Life
Parishioners are encouraged to share their time, talent, and treasure. Volunteers who interact with minors complete the Essential 3 (background check, Code of Conduct, and online VIRTUS training) and renew every three years. The parish office handles facility-use requests, reimbursements for pre-approved purchases (via the Money Request Form), and bulletin submissions.
- Volunteer opportunities — contact the parish office
- Essential 3 training for those working with minors
- Parishioner registration through the office
- Facility-use requests through the office
- Bulletin deadline: Thursdays ([email protected])
Visiting and Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors are welcome to attend any Mass or stop by to learn more about the parish community.
- Address: 451 5th Street SW, Pine Island, MN 55963
- Phone: (507) 356-4280
- Fax: (507) 356-2080
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stpaulstmichael.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMichaelPineIsland/