About St. Rita · Cottage Grove, Minnesota
The Church of St. Rita is a Catholic parish in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, belonging to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Founded in 1966, the parish serves approximately 350 founding families and today offers weekend and daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a robust Faith Formation program for children and youth, RCIA for adults, and a wide network of outreach ministries that extend locally (Listening House, monthly community meals) and internationally (a sister parish in Peru, an orphanage in Tanzania, and a school in Ghana). The parish describes its mission as 'Connecting Faith and Life' and is known for its warm welcome to all who come through its doors.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Fr. Michael Reinhardt
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Rita's is a mid-sized parish that prides itself on hospitality and a warm welcome to all, wherever they are on their faith journey. With daily and weekend Mass, weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, a thriving Faith Formation program from kindergarten through Confirmation, RCIA for adults, Bible study groups, and a Mission Outreach Commission that supports a sister parish in Peru, an orphanage in Tanzania, a school in Ghana, and the local Listening House, there's a genuine place for every family to plug in. The parish describes itself as a community 'Connecting Faith and Life' — and its 50+ year history of growth, expansions, and the ordination of its first homegrown priest in 2012 show a community that has continued to deepen in faith together.
Mass times at St. Rita
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (some sources list 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
History of St. Rita's
Incorporated as a parish of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on September 1, 1966, St. Rita's began with Fr. John Brandes recruiting families from St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul Park and celebrating Mass at Park High School for 350 families. The original 1970 church was a stark modern white-concrete-block structure; the 1986 addition wrapped the building in white stucco with curved corners symbolizing Christ's encircling love and added the current worship space, chapel, reconciliation rooms, and a 36-foot bell tower holding a 2,100-pound bell from St. Joseph's in Emmett, South Dakota. A 1998 Seton Hall kitchen addition supports a monthly community meal, and the statue of St. Rita — arm outstretched in welcome — was placed at the entrance that same year. In 2012, parishioner Fr. Evan Koop became the first priest ordained from St. Rita's, and on April 17, 2016, Archbishop Bernard Hebda dedicated a new addition as part of the parish's 50th Anniversary celebration, providing classrooms for Faith Formation and space for parish organizations.
- Founded September 1, 1966; first pastor Fr. John Brandes
- Original 1970 white-concrete-block church on 80th Street
- 1986 stucco addition with curved corners and 36-foot bell tower (2,100-lb bell from Emmett, SD)
- 1998 Seton Hall kitchen and statue of St. Rita
- 2004 death of Fr. Jim Grogan; memorial cross installed 2006
- 2012: Fr. Evan Koop ordained — first priest from St. Rita's
- April 17, 2016: Archbishop Hebda dedicates 50th Anniversary addition
Parish Mission & Welcome
St. Rita's describes its mission as 'Connecting Faith and Life' and is known for its hospitality and the warm welcome it extends to all individuals, wherever they are on their faith journey. Whether visitors are passing through, looking for a new parish home, returning to Catholic practice, or simply curious, the parish invites them to join in worship, formation, and outreach.
- Parish mission: 'Connecting Faith and Life'
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on the website
- Open to returning Catholics and inquirers
Worship & Liturgy
St. Rita's offers Saturday anticipatory Mass, two Sunday Masses, and daily Mass Tuesday through Friday. Weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration runs from morning through early evening. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons or by appointment.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
- Weekday Masses: Tue 5 PM, Wed 8:30 AM, Thu 5 PM, Fri 8:30 AM
- Confession: Saturday 4:00 PM or by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Worship Space & Art
In recent years the worship space has been enriched with a new tabernacle, a new cross/corpus, enhanced Stations of the Cross, a statue of the Virgin Mary, and kneelers — all funded by generous donations from parishioners. The tabernacle and altar have been moved to the center of the sanctuary, and the chapel has been enlarged to accommodate growing numbers at daily Mass and Adoration.
- New tabernacle built by parishioner woodworker
- New cross/corpus
- Enhanced Stations of the Cross
- Statue of the Virgin Mary
- Centrally placed altar and tabernacle
- Enlarged chapel for daily Mass and Adoration
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Michael Reinhardt with the assistance of Deacon Jack Nicklay (Pastoral Care and RCIA coordinator). The staff also includes a Director of Religious Education, Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator, Music Director, Business Administrator/Safe Environment Coordinator, and Communications Director.
- Fr. Michael Reinhardt — Pastor
- Deacon Jack Nicklay — Pastoral Care; RCIA coordinator ([email protected])
- Elizabeth Trksak — Director of Religious Education (Middle/High School) — ext. 1121
- Kathy Raible — Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator & Safe Environment Coordinator — ext. 1124
- Adam Baus — Music Director — ext. 1120
- Rory Gilbert — Business Administrator — ext. 1118
- LeAnn Dalbec — staff
- Stephanie Villanueva-Montoya — Communications Director — ext. 1126
Faith Formation
St. Rita's offers a full Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults. Elementary classes meet Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:45 PM and prepare children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (typically in Grade 2). Middle and High School faith formation meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM with a mix of small-group discussion and monthly Large Group sessions featuring music, prayer, and faith experience led by the CORE Team, Elizabeth Trksak, and Fr. Mike. Tuition is $110 per student with a $20 early-bird discount, an $85 sacrament fee, a $350 family cap, and a $50 credit for adult volunteers.
- Elementary Faith Formation — Wednesdays 4:30–5:45 PM (K through Grade 5)
- Kindergarten: 'Allelu!' early-childhood curriculum
- Grades 1, 3, 4, 5: 'Alive in Christ' (Our Sunday Visitor)
- Grade 2: Reconciliation (December) and First Holy Communion (May)
- Middle/High School Faith Formation — Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- Grades 6–7: video curriculum on Catholic identity and the Bible
- Grades 8–10: small-group community, Catechism, real-life application
- Monthly Large Group sessions with music and prayer
Confirmation
Young people in 9th grade may enroll in the Confirmation program; preparation spans two years and the sacrament is conferred in 10th grade. The Confirmation Mass takes place at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
- Two-year preparation beginning in 9th grade
- Confirmation celebrated in 10th grade
- Confirmation Mass held at the Cathedral
Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
Adult Faith Formation at St. Rita's includes ongoing Bible study groups and RCIA — the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. RCIA welcomes non-baptized adults inquiring about becoming Catholic, as well as baptized Catholic adults who have never received all the sacraments of initiation (Eucharist, Reconciliation, or Confirmation). Bible study small groups meet Monday evenings or Tuesday mornings, discussing a different book of Scripture each year followed by a video presentation; new participants may join at any time.
- RCIA — contact Deacon Jack Nicklay at 651-459-4596 or [email protected]
- Bible Study — Monday evenings or Tuesday mornings
- Open enrollment for new parishioners mid-session
Music Ministry
Music at St. Rita's is led by Music Director Adam Baus (ext. 1120), supporting the parish's liturgies and Large Group faith formation sessions. The CORE Team also leads music for youth gatherings.
- Music Director: Adam Baus — 651-459-4596 ext. 1120
Mission Outreach
The Mission Outreach Commission coordinates both local and international service. Locally, the parish supports Listening House in St. Paul — a daytime sanctuary offering practical assistance and counsel to people who are homeless, disadvantaged, or lonely. Parishioners serve there, wash the feet of the homeless, and pack weekend meal kits (protein bars, beef sticks, fruit cups, granola bars, crackers, and Ensure are collected monthly and packed on the second Friday of the month after daily Mass). Internationally, the Commission supports the parish's sister parish Los Santos Martires in Chimbote, Peru; Fr. Mbiche's orphanage in Tanzania; and Fr. Albert's school in Ghana. Fundraisers include the Spring Plant Sale.
- Sister Parish: Los Santos Martires, Chimbote, Peru
- Fr. Mbiche's orphanage — Tanzania
- Fr. Albert's school — Ghana
- Listening House of St. Paul (meals, foot washing, weekend meal kits)
- Spring Plant Sale fundraiser
Safe Environment
All adult volunteers and staff who work with minors or vulnerable adults are required by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to complete a background check, Protecting God's Children (VIRTUS) training, and sign a Code of Conduct, with re-credentialing every three years. Catechists, program volunteers, youth ministry volunteers, nursery workers, Hope for the Journey shelter volunteers, and Liturgy of the Word volunteers all fall under these requirements.
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Kathy Raible — [email protected]
- Background check, VIRTUS training, signed Code of Conduct
- Re-credentialing every 3 years
- Victim Assistance Hotline: 651-291-4497
Contact & Office
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to noon; the office is closed on weekends. The parish can be reached by phone, fax, or email, and a New Parishioner Registration Form is available online.
- Address: 8694 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016-2096
- Phone: 651-459-4596
- Fax: 651-459-5364
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–Noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Brandes1966 (founding pastor)
First pastor; recruited families from St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul Park; celebrated Mass at Park High School until the church was built.
- Fr. Jim Grogan
Pastor at time of his death from an inoperable brain aneurysm in 2004; honored by an outdoor cross installed at the driveway entrance in 2006.
- Fr. Bill Deziel
Formed a committee in 2010 to begin planning an addition to the church building.
- Fr. Rick Banker
Former pastor who continued the building project to its successful conclusion; addition dedicated April 17, 2016 as part of the 50th Anniversary.
- Fr. Michael Reinhardt
Current pastor.