About Us
- We are called through baptism to be a community centered around the celebration of the Eucharist.
- We respond to that call through our active participation and responsibility for the life of the parish and broader community.
- We strive to see God in one another and create an environment characterized by mutual support, concern, and respect.
Our History
It all began in 1970, when a Redemptorist priest had a vision for a new parish, a parish that was truly Christ-centered, and made up of smaller Christ-centered communities, believers who nurture and support each other. The first pastor of our parish, Fr. Robert Oelerich, came from St. Alphonsus. He challenged the first parishioners to reach out to one another with love and acceptance, extending an invitation for involvement and participation, creating a sense of belonging. In reading about the history of St. Gerard, and the dream Fr. “O” had for this faith community, one is hard pressed to not feel the enthusiasm and dedication he had for a new kind of parish.
On January 23, 1970, the Church of St. Gerard was decreed by official document at the Archdiocesan Chancery Office. More importantly, on February 14, 1970, the first Mass was celebrated at Riverview United Methodist Church, Brooklyn Park, where space was rented for two years, until we could build our own church. Fr. Robert Oelerich served as the pastor, and Fr. Earnest Larsen was associate pastor. In these early years of our Parish, there was a strong sense of community and togetherness. The people of St. Gerard shared a common vision of a faith-filled, Christ-centered parish, in which all were valued and treasured as a man or woman of God.
On February 6, 1972 the Methodist Congregation shared in our last prayer service in their facility. Together we formed a caravan and together we moved our belongings to our new church building in the final stages of construction. The Church of St. Gerard had a new permanent home in Brooklyn Park.
From 1970-1990, the Redemptorists served the parish of St. Gerard, tirelessly giving their time and devotion to the people of the parish. In June of 1990, the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R., began to staff the parish. During Franciscan leadership, we celebrated our first Mass in the current, beautiful Worship Space (built October 3, 1998.) From 2017-2019, the Redemptorists returned to serve the parish community of St. Gerard. And currently, we are blessed to have Archdiocesan Priests, Fr. John Klockeman and Fr. Joseph-Quốc Thiện Vương.
Some “Firsts” for St. Gerard’s:
1970 - Women’s Group (Altar Rosary Society) – First Parish Organization
1970 – February – Community Baptisms
1970 – May - First Communion
1970 – First Religious Education Program
1971 – August – Corn Fest Parish Picnic
1971 – Summer – Parish Campout
1972 – February - First Mass in our own Church Building
1973 – May - Confirmation
1979 – Spirituality Week
1982 – March – Loaves and Fishes
1993 – Participation in Habitat for Humanity
1998 – October – Mass in the new Worship Space
2004 – Pumpkin Fest
2018 - Crawfish and Shrimp Boil
2020 – 50th Anniversary Celebration!
On January 23, 1970, the Church of St. Gerard was decreed by official document at the Archdiocesan Chancery Office. More importantly, on February 14, 1970, the first Mass was celebrated at Riverview United Methodist Church, Brooklyn Park, where space was rented for two years, until we could build our own church. Fr. Robert Oelerich served as the pastor, and Fr. Earnest Larsen was associate pastor. In these early years of our Parish, there was a strong sense of community and togetherness. The people of St. Gerard shared a common vision of a faith-filled, Christ-centered parish, in which all were valued and treasured as a man or woman of God.
On February 6, 1972 the Methodist Congregation shared in our last prayer service in their facility. Together we formed a caravan and together we moved our belongings to our new church building in the final stages of construction. The Church of St. Gerard had a new permanent home in Brooklyn Park.
From 1970-1990, the Redemptorists served the parish of St. Gerard, tirelessly giving their time and devotion to the people of the parish. In June of 1990, the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R., began to staff the parish. During Franciscan leadership, we celebrated our first Mass in the current, beautiful Worship Space (built October 3, 1998.) From 2017-2019, the Redemptorists returned to serve the parish community of St. Gerard. And currently, we are blessed to have Archdiocesan Priests, Fr. John Klockeman and Fr. Joseph-Quốc Thiện Vương.
Some “Firsts” for St. Gerard’s:
1970 - Women’s Group (Altar Rosary Society) – First Parish Organization
1970 – February – Community Baptisms
1970 – May - First Communion
1970 – First Religious Education Program
1971 – August – Corn Fest Parish Picnic
1971 – Summer – Parish Campout
1972 – February - First Mass in our own Church Building
1973 – May - Confirmation
1979 – Spirituality Week
1982 – March – Loaves and Fishes
1993 – Participation in Habitat for Humanity
1998 – October – Mass in the new Worship Space
2004 – Pumpkin Fest
2018 - Crawfish and Shrimp Boil
2020 – 50th Anniversary Celebration!
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The Church of St. Gerard Majella
9600 Regent Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 763-424-8770 Weekend Service Times Saturday 5:00PM (English) Sunday: 8:00am (Vietnamese) Sunday 9:30AM (English) Sunday 11:00AM (English) |
