St. William

History of St. William Parish

St. William was established in 1963 in Fridley, Minnesota, with the name chosen by Archbishop Binz as a tribute to his predecessor, Archbishop William Brady, who had died unexpectedly in 1961. The first Masses were celebrated in the gymnasium of Fridley High School. A tornado on May 6, 1965, damaged the high school and forced the parish to move early into its still-unfinished church building. More than sixty years later, the parish remains a fixture of Catholic life in northern Fridley, known for welcoming hospitality, social-justice commitment, and lively congregational singing.

Devotions and Prayer

Beyond Mass and Reconciliation, St. William sustains a rich devotional life. The parish lists Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration among its services, alongside a weekly online Rosary on Mondays at 3:00 PM, the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Fridays at 3:00 PM, and a Prayer and Praise gathering on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Choir Room (enter door 4). A parish Prayer Line is also available for parishioners in need of intercessory prayer.

• Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
• Rosary via Zoom – Monday 3:00 PM
• Divine Mercy Chaplet via Zoom – Friday 3:00 PM
• Prayer and Praise – 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 7:00 PM, Choir Room (door 4)
• Parish Prayer Line

Faith Formation for Children and Youth

St. William offers faith formation for every stage from preschool through high school. Children ages 3 through Kindergarten meet on Sunday mornings for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, while students in grades 1 through high school meet on Wednesday evenings for age-appropriate classes. Sunday Preschool is offered during Mass, and Vacation Bible School is typically held at the end of July for children ages 3 through 4th grade. Middle-schoolers are invited to Extreme Faith Camp at Camp Courage near Maple Lake, and high school youth take part in mission trips through Catholic Heart Workcamps in cities such as Billings, MT; Oklahoma City, OK; Springfield, IL; and Marshalltown, IA.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–Kindergarten, Sunday mornings)
• Family Faith Formation (grades 1–high school, Wednesday evenings)
• Sunday Preschool during Mass
• Vacation Bible School (end of July, ages 3–grade 4)
• Extreme Faith Camp for grades 6–8 at Camp Courage
• High School Mission Trips via Catholic Heart Workcamps
• Director of Faith Formation: Gina Archambault

Adult Faith Formation

Adults can grow in their faith through OCIA (Order of Catholic Initiation of Adults) for those exploring Catholicism, weekly small faith-sharing groups, periodic guest speakers, and a parish subscription to FORMED for on-demand Catholic content. The parish also points adults toward archdiocesan opportunities such as the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute and the School of Discipleship.

• OCIA (Order of Catholic Initiation of Adults) — contact parish office
• Small Faith-Sharing Groups (Thursday 9–11 AM at the Parish Office, and 2nd/4th Tuesdays 7–9 PM in the Choir Room)
• FORMED parish subscription for Catholic content on demand
• Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute and School of Discipleship referrals
• Marriage Encounter Worldwide

Liturgical and Music Ministries

The parish is well known for robust congregational singing. Liturgical and music ministries are led by a Director of Music and an Associate Music Director, supported by the parish choir and accompanists, and open to volunteers who wish to lend their voices or instrumental gifts to weekend and holy day liturgies.

• Director of Music / Organist: Patrick Henning
• Associate Music Director: Jay Hunstiger
• Parish Choir and congregational singing

Social Justice and Outreach

St. William has a long-standing commitment to social justice, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. The Social Justice and Outreach Ministry group meets on the third Thursday of the month from 7:00–8:30 PM in the parish Ad Center, coordinating collections for local nonprofits, educating parishioners about justice issues, and inviting direct advocacy with legislators. The parish also points parishioners toward volunteering with Twin Cities Catholic Charities, Hands On Twin Cities, and other advocacy groups such as Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Bread for the World, the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, and the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing.

• Social Justice Committee (education, outreach collections, advocacy)
• Food shelf donations to SACA (Southern Anoka County Assistance), Columbia Heights
• Meals on Wheels drivers for Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus
• Families Moving Forward volunteer opportunities
• Partner organizations: Catholic Charities, Loaves and Fishes, Sharing and Caring Hands, Hands On Twin Cities
• Advocacy connections: Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Bread for the World, JRLC, MICAH
• Social Justice Ministry Coordinator: Ellen Raeker

Parish Staff

St. William is served by a pastor and a team of lay staff and volunteers who keep parish operations, liturgy, formation, and outreach running day to day.

• Pastor: Rev. David Ostrowski
• Seminarian: Kyle Etzell
• Director of Faith Formation: Gina Archambault
• Director of Music / Organist: Patrick Henning
• Associate Music Director: Jay Hunstiger
• Sunday Preschool Coordinator: Colette Kruc
• Operations Director: Steven Price
• Maintenance Director: Collin Price
• Activities Set-up: David Archambault
• Parish Bookkeeper: Michelle Kozitza
• Administrative Assistant: Mary Walus (ext. 101)
• Volunteer Ministry & Safe Environment Coordinator: Linda Pugsley (ext. 105)
• Social Justice Ministry Coordinator: Ellen Raeker
• Prayer Line: Mary A (763-571-1677)

Francophone Community

St. William hosts a Francophone Community that celebrates a French-language Mass every Sunday at 11:00 AM, welcoming French-speaking Catholics in the northern Twin Cities area into worship, fellowship, and parish life at St. William.

• Sunday French Mass: 11:00 AM

Getting Involved

The parish invites parishioners to share their time and talent through Faith Formation Catechists and Aides, Youth Ministers, OCIA Sponsors, Marriage Preparation Mentor couples, Small Faith Group Leaders and Members, Children's Liturgy of the Word Leaders, and Atrium Assistants. All volunteers who interact with minors are required to complete Archdiocesan Safe Environment credentials (background check, Code of Conduct, and training) coordinated through parish Safe Environment Coordinator Linda Pugsley.

• Faith Formation Catechist and Aide
• Youth Minister (middle and high school)
• OCIA Sponsor
• Marriage Preparation Mentor Couple
• Small Faith Group Leader and Member
• Children's Liturgy of the Word Leader
• Atrium Assistant
• Safe Environment requirements: background check, Code of Conduct, training
• Contact: Linda Pugsley, 763-571-5600 ext. 105

Visiting and Contact

Parishioners and visitors can reach St. William at 6120 5th St NE, Fridley, MN 55432, by phone at 763-571-5600, or through the parish website at chofstwilliams.com. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and weekend and weekday Mass schedules, as well as Reconciliation and devotion times, are published online and in the parish bulletin.

• Address: 6120 5th St NE, Fridley, MN 55432
• Phone: 763-571-5600
• Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Website: http://www.chofstwilliams.com