About The Church of the Epiphany · Coon Rapids, Minnesota
The Church of the Epiphany is a large Roman Catholic parish in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parish's name comes from the Greek epiphania ("to show" or "to make known"), and its stated mission is "to make Jesus known" through faith formation, the sacraments, service, and community life. Today Epiphany operates from a 72-acre campus that includes its current sanctuary (built 1984), a Catholic school, convent, rectory, perpetual adoration chapel, meeting rooms, gift shop, cemetery, the Epiphany Pines senior apartments, and ball fields. The parish grew from 200 founding families in 1964 to more than 5,000 families (over 20,000 members) by 2000.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Father Thomas Dufner
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Epiphany welcomes people at every phase of their faith journey and nourishes them through lifelong faith formation, the sacraments, and a strong community of service. A vibrant Catholic school, an extensive faith formation program (including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3–grade 4, youth ministry, and Confirmation preparation), and dozens of liturgical and service ministries give parishioners of all ages a place to serve. The 72-acre campus — church, school, cemetery, and Epiphany Pines senior apartments — allows members to literally grow up, grow old, and be buried within the parish family.
Mass times at The Church of the Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 7:15–7:50 a.m.
- Tuesday: 5:30–5:50 p.m.
- Saturday: 3:00–4:15 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel on campus (Archdiocese listing confirms perpetual adoration as a service)
Parish History
The Church of the Epiphany was established in 1964 when Archbishop Leo Binz appointed Fr. Bernard Reiser as founding pastor; it formally began on June 16, 1964. The first parish buildings (which included what is now the school gym) were dedicated in 1967, and the present sanctuary was built in 1984. Fr. Reiser served as pastor for 37 years and shaped the parish's vision of a campus that would serve people from birth to death. The parish community celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2014.
- Founded June 16, 1964; founding pastor Fr. Bernard Reiser appointed by Archbishop Leo Binz
- First buildings (now the school gym, classrooms, convent, offices) dedicated 1967
- Current sanctuary completed 1984
- 1994: Epiphany Pines Senior Apartments completed and attached to church
- 50th anniversary celebrated June 12–15, 2014
- Founded with 200 families; over 5,000 families (20,000+ members) by 2000
Mission, Vision & Identity
The parish name comes from the Greek epiphania ("to show" or "to make known"), and the parish's stated mission is to make Jesus known. The Epiphany community describes itself as a vibrant Roman Catholic parish lighting the way to Christ for all people through life-long faith formation, education, sacraments, service, and community life.
- Mission: "to make Jesus known" through faith formation, sacraments, service, and community
- Vision: a community where every person is welcomed, nourished by the sacraments, joined in service, and traveling together toward Christ
Faith Formation
Epiphany's faith formation office accompanies adults, teens, and children as they grow in knowledge and love of God and become disciples of Christ. Programs run from preschool through Grade 12, and at least one year of formation is required before any youth year of sacraments. RCIA is offered for adults who are not yet Catholic or who have not received all the sacraments.
- Ages 3–Grade 5: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — contact Cathy Kleba
- Grade 2: First Eucharist preparation — contact Dana Butler
- Grades 5–8 and 9–12: Youth Ministry & Faith Formation — contact Lauren Kassulker
- Grades 8–12: Confirmation preparation — contact Lauren Kassulker
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact Elizabeth
- Online registration open for 2026–2027; tuition $130/child with discounts for multiple children
- Family volunteer participation required for each registered family
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
CGS is a Montessori-based approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in the Bible, Catholic liturgy, and Maria Montessori's educational principles. At Epiphany, CGS is offered for children ages 3 through Grade 4 on Wednesday evenings, Tuesday morning, and Tuesday afternoon, and is also embedded in Epiphany Preschool and Epiphany School. Children gather in an "atrium" — a prepared environment of simple, beautiful materials that draw them into the essentials of the Catholic faith and into full, conscious, active participation in the liturgical life of the Church. CGS Level 1 Part B training is offered on Saturdays at Epiphany for new catechists.
- Atrium-based, Montessori-inspired catechesis for ages 3–Grade 4
- Sessions: Wednesday evenings, Tuesday morning, Tuesday afternoon
- Embedded in Epiphany Preschool and Epiphany School
- CGS Level 1 Part B training offered Saturdays with Mary Minor, Level 1 Formation Leader
Epiphany Catholic School
Epiphany Catholic School is the parish's preschool through Grade 8 school. Its mission statement describes a "Partnership of Faith" with families: forming students in knowledge and virtue to become "saints and citizens who love Christ and His Church." The school's staff directory shows classroom teachers led by Father Thomas Dufner (pastor and chaplain) and Deacon Eric Gunderson. The school's main phone number is 763.754.1750.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Motto: "Forming Saints and Citizens"
- Pastor Father Thomas Dufner and Deacon Eric Gunderson serve alongside lay faculty
- Phone: 763.754.1750
Liturgical Ministries
The parish's Liturgical Commission works to manifest a liturgical environment that invites full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass. Under it sit a wide range of volunteer liturgical ministries. There is also a separate Music Ministry and a strong perpetual adoration and prayer presence on campus.
- Altar Servers
- Environment Committee
- Vigil Light Cleaners
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Lector Ministry
- Office of Sacristan
- Ushers
- Music Ministries
- Epiphany Prayer Chain
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
- Rosary Groups
Parish Governance — Councils & Commissions
Parish decisions and vision are carried out through four governance bodies, each with a defined role. The Pastoral Council and the parish commissions meet monthly, with Council members attending Commission meetings and Commission chairs presenting to Council annually. All commissions and ministries meet together four times a year to share updates and set parish goals.
- Pastoral Council (Pastor + 5 parishioners; meets monthly)
- School Advisory Council (visioning body for parish education ministries; meets 2nd Tuesday)
- Finance Commission (advises pastor on parish finances)
- Liturgical Commission (oversees liturgical environment and ministries)
Outreach & Service
Epiphany operates a parish-based outreach ministry called Epiphany Caring For Life, which is open by appointment for residents of Anoka County and offers help with Pack N Play and car seat applications. The Knights of Columbus Fr. Bernard Reiser Council #10138, named for the founding pastor, continues his legacy of charitable giving on the parish campus.
- Epiphany Caring For Life — appointment-based help; Pack N Play and car-seat applications; 612-803-2225
- Outreach line: 763.862.4351
- Knights of Columbus Fr. Bernard Reiser Council #10138 (chartered August 15, 1989)
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Parish staff and clergy accompany parishioners through every sacrament from initiation through to funeral rites. Youth preparing for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation must complete at least one year of faith formation immediately before the sacrament year.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grade 2 with required prior faith formation)
- Confirmation (Grades 8–12 with required prior faith formation)
- Marriage / Weddings — contact parish office
- RCIA — for adults; contact Elizabeth
- Anointing of the Sick — call 763.862.4363
- Funeral planning — 763.755.1020
Campus, Facilities & Hours
Epiphany operates on a 72-acre campus south of Highway 10 on Hanson Boulevard. The complex includes the church (connected by foyer to school, offices, convent, and rectory), the original 1967 building now used as the school gym, Epiphany Pines Senior Apartments (1994), a chapel for perpetual adoration, a gift shop, meeting rooms, ball fields, and the parish cemetery. Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (July: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.); an Information Desk staffed in the church foyer on Sundays from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (closed in July). To reach a priest directly, call 763.862.4363.
- Church, school, convent, rectory, and gift shop connected by foyer
- Epiphany Pines Senior Apartments attached to church
- Perpetual adoration chapel, meeting rooms, cemetery, ball fields
- Parish offices open Mon–Thu 9–3, Fri 9–1 (July: Mon–Fri 9–1)
- Sunday Information Desk in the church foyer 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (off in July)
- Direct priest line: 763.862.4363
- Room/event bookings: 763.862.4363
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernard Reiser1964–2001
Founding pastor appointed by Archbishop Leo Binz; led the parish for 37 years, built the original campus and the 1984 sanctuary; remembered for preaching and charitable giving.