About St. Peter · Forest Lake, Minnesota
The Church of St. Peter is a Catholic parish in Forest Lake, Minnesota, about 25 miles north of St. Paul. Serving more than 1,800 families in Forest Lake and the surrounding area, it offers daily Mass, the Sacraments, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school, and over 70 ministries and outreach programs. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and its mission statement reads: 'We, the Church of St. Peter, in union with Rome and serving the Forest Lake area, are called to make Jesus Christ known and loved.'
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- Saint Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Bodin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Peter offers an unusually full Catholic life for a parish of its size: four Sunday Masses plus a Saturday vigil, daily Mass, and one of the most distinctive features in the area — perpetual Eucharistic Adoration running from Sunday at 12:30 pm through Saturday at 4:45 pm, with a livestream for the homebound. More than 1,800 families are served across Forest Lake and surrounding communities, and the parish lists over 70 programs, ministries, and outreach efforts — from a thriving K-8 Catholic school and OCIA/OCIC initiation programs to youth ministry, Totus Tuus, Extreme Faith Camp, the Knights of Columbus, the Crafters Club, and an annual Women's Retreat. Whether you are new to the area, returning to the faith, or looking for a parish to put down roots, St. Peter combines long-standing tradition (rooted in a parish founded in 1905) with a wide range of ways to grow in holiness, serve neighbors, and raise children in the Catholic faith.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 10:00 am (ends with last confession)
- Saturday: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- By appointment (call Parish Office at 651-982-2200)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration: Sunday 12:30 pm – Saturday 4:45 pm, in the Divine Mercy Chapel (also livestreamed)
Mission & Identity
The Church of St. Peter, located 25 miles north of St. Paul in Forest Lake, Minnesota, is a Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis serving more than 1,800 families in Forest Lake and the surrounding communities. The parish mission statement, published on the parish history page, reads: 'We, the Church of St. Peter, in union with Rome and serving the Forest Lake area, are called to make Jesus Christ known and loved. We do this through our families, neighbors, school and places of work, recognizing Christ in all people.' The parish offers daily Mass, the Sacraments, and more than 70 programs and outreach ministries.
- Helping Forest Lake come to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ
- Located 25 miles north of St. Paul, MN
- Over 1,800 registered families
- More than 70 programs and outreach ministries
- Member parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Parish History
Catholic life in the Forest Lake area dates back to about 1860, when settlers attended Mass at a small white frame church in Wyoming, Minnesota. By the early 1900s the local Catholic community had grown enough that roughly 25 families decided to build their own church. J. W. Houle donated two lots at West Broadway Avenue and 5th Street, and while construction was underway, Father R. V. Kennedy of Rush City would arrive by train to celebrate Mass in Woodman Hall, the second floor of Young Hardware Store on Lake Street. Archbishop John Ireland dedicated the new church on November 13, 1905; the mortgage was paid off — and burned — by 1911. Father Thomas Gibbons became pastor in 1912 and served 44 years, overseeing a parish house (still standing on Broadway) and two side-branch additions in 1923, and starting a building fund for a future church and school.
- Catholic life in the area: c. 1860
- First Forest Lake church dedicated Nov 13, 1905 by Archbishop John Ireland
- Mortgage paid off and burned 1911
- Fr. Thomas Gibbons served 1912–1956 (44 years)
- Two side branches added to the church in 1923
Building the Present Campus (1961)
By the 1950s the downtown church was again too small, and a new campus was built on 22 acres purchased from the Beltz family on South Shore Drive. Father Edmund Barry, who followed Fr. Gibbons, bought the Bayview property as a potential site before it was sold. Father Joseph Streff then led the move and oversaw construction of the new church and school. Auxiliary Bishop Leonard Cowley dedicated the present church on October 25, 1961, the same year St. Peter School opened with eight grades. The School Sisters of Notre Dame originally staffed the school and lived on-site in a convent that has since been converted into the parish Annex for Faith Formation, Bible studies, and youth/family programs.
- 22-acre site purchased from the Beltz family
- New church dedicated October 25, 1961 by Bishop Leonard Cowley
- St. Peter School opened 1961 (originally grades 2–6)
- School Sisters of Notre Dame originally taught at the school
- Old convent now serves as the parish Annex
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Daniel Bodin, with Associate Pastor Rev. Gregory Abbott assisting him. They are supported by two deacons, Dcn. Matthew Damiani and Dcn. Gary Houle. The lay staff includes a Business Administrator (Christine Erickson), an Accounting Specialist, an Executive Administrative Assistant, a Marketing & Communications Coordinator (Pa Zong Lee), a Director of Pastoral Care (Kathy Rubio), a People & Safe Environment Coordinator, a Director of Religious Education (Patty Rosno), a Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator (Katie Hall), a Director of Music & Liturgy (Bonnie Wurscher) and Assistant Music Director (Daniel Heck), as well as maintenance and school staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel Bodin ([email protected] / 651-982-2203)
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Gregory Abbott ([email protected])
- Deacon Matthew Damiani
- Deacon Gary Houle
- Parish Council: Anne Tragiai (Chair) and members
- Finance Council (Trustees): Ed Hamil, Margee Haider and members
Becoming Catholic — OCIA & OCIC
The parish runs both the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) for those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. OCIA gathers weekly on Monday evenings at 6:45 pm from late September through early April, and is open to unbaptized adults, Christians from other denominations, and even non-Catholics who simply want to learn more about the faith. OCIC classes meet Sunday mornings at 9:30 am for children ages 7–13 who have not yet been fully initiated. Tuition for each program is $40 per candidate, with financial assistance available. Candidates typically receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil. Contact: Associate Pastor Fr. Gregory Abbott at 651-982-2204.
- OCIA for adults: Monday evenings, 6:45 pm, Sep 29, 2025 – Apr 6, 2026
- OCIC for children ages 7–13: Sunday mornings, 9:30 am
- Sacrament of Initiation conferred at the Easter Vigil
- $40 per candidate; financial assistance available
- Contact: Fr. Gregory Abbott, 651-982-2204, [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Director of Religious Education (Patty Rosno) oversees faith formation for parish children and families. Classes for baptized children who have not yet received First Reconciliation and First Communion, as well as OCIC and OCIA preparation, are offered alongside ongoing catechetical programs. Formation gatherings, Bible studies, and family programs take place in the parish Annex, the repurposed former convent.
- Director of Religious Education: Patty Rosno ([email protected] / 651-982-2238)
- Children's First Reconciliation / First Communion preparation
- Bible studies (seasonal) for adults
- Faith Formation held in the Annex
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
Wednesday nights are the heart of youth ministry at St. Peter. The Open Youth Room (grades 5–8) runs from 5:00–5:45 pm, followed by Youth Group for grades 9–12 (and 8th graders who have been confirmed) from 7:15–9:00 pm, beginning in the church with prayer and continuing in the Annex. Confirmation preparation is typically offered in 8th grade, though older youth are also welcome. The parish hosts Totus Tuus each summer for students entering grades 7–12, and Extreme Faith Camp each summer at Trinity Woods Camp in Trego, WI, for grades 6–8. A Core Team of 10th–12th graders serves as peer leaders for younger youth.
- Open Youth Room (grades 5–8): Wed 5:00–5:45 pm
- Youth Group (grades 9–12): Wed 7:15–9:00 pm
- Confirmation: typically 8th grade
- Totus Tuus: Sun Jul 19 – Thu Jul 23, 2026 (grades 7–12)
- Extreme Faith Camp: Jun 22–26, 2026 at Trinity Woods Camp, Trego, WI
- Core Team for 10th–12th graders
- Contact: Katie Hall, [email protected] / 651-982-2223
St. Peter Catholic School
St. Peter Catholic School serves Preschool through Grade 8 on the same campus as the church, in partnership with parish and family. The school offers a preschool program, child-care, and K–8 academics rooted in the Catholic faith. Its mission is to provide a solid foundation in the Catholic faith, promote academic excellence, and prepare students for a lifetime of service to God and neighbor. The school secretary, Jessica Stimson, can be reached at 651-982-2216 for tours and enrollment information; the principal is Jim Morehead.
- Preschool, child-care, and K–8 academics
- Principal: Jim Morehead ([email protected] / 651-982-2214)
- School Secretary: Jessica Stimson ([email protected] / 651-982-2216)
- Fax: 651-982-2230
- Website: https://www.school.stpeterfl.org/
- Major expansion groundbreaking in June 2016 with Bishop Andrew Cozzens
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music is led by Director of Music & Liturgy Coordinator Bonnie Wurscher and Assistant Music Director Daniel Heck, working alongside parish choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists. The music program supports the parish's schedule of weekend and daily Masses as well as the Divine Mercy Chapel's perpetual Adoration livestream.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Bonnie Wurscher ([email protected] / 651-982-2224)
- Assistant Music Director: Daniel Heck
- Choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists for Sunday and daily Masses
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. Peter describes itself as offering more than 70 programs and outreach ministries. Beyond OCIA, OCIC, youth ministry, and the school, the parish hosts seasonal Bible studies, a Bereavement Ministry, the Knights of Columbus (Fr. Thomas F. Gibbons Council #3657), The Crafters Club (quilting, knitting, and crafts), and an annual Women's Retreat held jointly with St. Bridget's at the Dunrovin Retreat Center. The parish also celebrates the annual Corpus Christi Procession following the 11:00 am Mass.
- Knights of Columbus — Fr. Thomas F. Gibbons Council #3657
- Bereavement Ministry
- The Crafters Club
- Annual Women's Retreat (22nd annual: Jan 30 – Feb 1, 2026, Dunrovin Retreat Center)
- Annual Corpus Christi Procession
Visit, Contact & Building Hours
The church is open for visiting and private prayer on a seasonal Winter/Summer building schedule, with extended hours around weekend Masses and earlier-morning and later-evening hours on weekdays. The Parish Office is open Monday–Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed on Holy Days of Obligation and major holidays). The main address is 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025; the parish office number is 651-982-2200, and the pastor can be reached at [email protected]. Archdiocesan Victim Assistance is available at 651-291-4475.
- Address: 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025
- Parish Office: (651) 982-2200
- Pastor's email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
- School Office: (651) 982-2216
- Archdiocese Victim Assistance: (651) 291-4475
- Seasonal Winter/Summer Building Hours posted on the parish site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. R. V. Kennedy (of Rush City)before 1905
Traveled by train to celebrate Mass in Woodman Hall while the first Forest Lake church was being built.
- Fr. Thomas Gibbons1912–1956 (44 years)
Built the parish house (still standing on Broadway) in 1912; oversaw two branch additions in 1923; began a building fund for a future church and school. His Knights of Columbus council is named for him (Council #3657).
- Fr. Edmund Barryafter Fr. Gibbons, before 1961
Felt too old to begin the building project, but purchased the Bayview property as a future site, which was later sold.
- Fr. Joseph Streffled construction in early 1960s
Oversaw relocation and construction of the present church and school on 22 acres bought from the Beltz family; Bishop Leonard Cowley dedicated the new church on October 25, 1961.
- Rev. Daniel Bodincurrent pastor
Current pastor; joined by Associate Pastor Fr. Gregory Abbott.