St. Pius X

About St. Pius X Parish

St. Pius X is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester serving the northwest side of Rochester, Minnesota. Its sanctuary, offices, and St. Pius X School share one campus at 1315 12th Avenue NW. The parish worships in English, celebrates Mass seven days a week, broadcasts a virtual Mass on weekdays and Sundays, and is supported by an unusually broad network of liturgical, educational, and outreach ministries.

History

Created on July 1, 1954 by Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald, St. Pius X was one of the new parishes built to handle Rochester's postwar and IBM-driven growth. Beginning with 350 parishioners and first celebrated at the Miracle Mile Shopping Center, the parish very quickly outgrew its first building: by 1963 it had 1,100 registered households, and the larger current church was completed in 1964. By the mid-1970s the parish had become the largest congregation in the 22-county diocese. A school (founded 1956) and a convent (1960) were added in the first decade, and the parish has continued to renovate — most notably with a new organ in 2010 — while celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2004 (50th) and 2014 (60th).

• Established July 1, 1954 — Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald, Diocese of Winona
• First pastor: Msgr. Warren J. Ryan (1954–1963)
• St. Pius X School opened fall 1956; convent added 1960
• Present church dedicated March 1965 with 40+ priests concelebrating
• 1,568 households by 1976 — largest parish in the diocese
• New organ installed 2010; 50th anniversary 2004; 60th anniversary 2014

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is led by Father Charlie Collins as pastor. The Diocese of Winona–Rochester parish directory also lists Father Joachim Anumba in connection with St. Pius X, and Father Jim Starasinich is referenced by Rochester Catholic Schools as serving St. Pius X and supporting the school community. Music and liturgy is coordinated by the Director of Liturgy and Music, Matt Maus.

• Father Charlie Collins — Pastor
• Father Jim Starasinich — Pastor (per Rochester Catholic Schools listing)
• Father Joachim Anumba — listed in Diocese of Winona–Rochester parish directory
• Matt Maus — Director of Liturgy and Music

St. Pius X School

St. Pius X School opened in 1956 and today serves preschool through Grade 5 as part of Rochester Catholic Schools. The school is an educational ministry of the Catholic Church and works closely with St. Pius X parish; the parish pastors are members of the RCS Board of Trustees, teach in the schools, and celebrate weekly Mass with the students. The school was renamed St. John the Evangelist / St. Pius X School after a 2006 merger with St. John the Evangelist School and returned to its own 'St. Pius X School' name in 2019 when the St. John campus became a middle school.

• Opened fall 1956, original grades K–8 with 325 students
• Currently Preschool–Grade 5 on the St. Pius X campus
• Part of Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS)
• Address: 1315 12th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Faith Formation

St. Pius X has a full faith-formation program for children, youth, and adults, with registration offered online. Programs include Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Children's Liturgy of the Word, grade-level classes for 1–6 and 7–12, Confirmation preparation, First Sacraments preparation, Vacation Bible School, and ongoing adult faith formation.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
• Children's Liturgy of the Word
• Grades 1–6 and Grades 7–12 faith formation
• Confirmation program
• First Sacraments (First Communion) preparation
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) — registration on parish site
• Adult formation / OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Liturgical Ministries

The parish recruits and schedules laypeople for every major liturgical role. A Director of Liturgy and Music oversees choirs, cantors, instrumentalists, and liturgical lay leadership across all Masses.

• Eucharistic Ministers
• Hospitality Ministers (Ushers / Greeters)
• Lectors
• Altar Servers
• Choirs and Music Ministers
• Eucharistic Ministers to Nursing Homes

Parish Life and Outreach

Beyond the sanctuary and school, St. Pius X has a tradition of parish-wide fellowship and charitable activity. The Pius X Rummage Sale is a long-running parish fundraiser, and the parish maintains connections to the wider Catholic community in Rochester, including Calvary Cemetery, Catholic United Financial, the Diocese of Winona–Rochester, and UNITE Ministries for young adults. The parish office can be contacted at (507) 288-8238 for questions about outreach, registrations, and room rentals.

• Pius X Rummage Sale (annual parish fundraiser)
• Parish Registration form available online
• Online Giving available
• Room Rental inquiries via parish office
• Listed resources: Calvary Cemetery, Catholic United Financial, Rochester Catholic Young Adults Group, UNITE Ministries, VIRTUS

Sacraments

St. Pius X prepares parishioners for all seven Catholic sacraments. The parish site links directly to First Sacraments, Confirmation, Baptism preparation, and Marriage as online forms, and the parish office coordinates funeral and anointing arrangements.

• Baptism (with preparation)
• Confirmation
• First Holy Communion / First Sacraments
• Marriage
• Anointing of the Sick
• Reconciliation (see confession schedule)
• Funeral / Bereavement support

Visit and Contact

All are welcome at daily and weekend Mass. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–2:00 PM.

• Address: 1315 12th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN 55901
• Phone: (507) 288-8238
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
• Website: http://www.piusx.org/
• Online Giving, Parish Registration, and Sacramental forms available on the website