St. Francis de Sales Church

CROOKSTON, Minnesota, October 18, 2021 – Today, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis has appointed the Most Rev. Andrew Cozzens of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Crookston. His installation Mass has been set for Monday, December 6. Vespers will take place on Sunday, December 5.

Bishop Cozzens, who has served as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis since 2013, was born August 3, 1968. He is the son of Jack and Judy Cozzens and the youngest of three children. Bishop Cozzens graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he experienced a deepening of the faith through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. During a period of discernment after college, Bishop Cozzens served as a traveling missionary to young people around the country with Twin Cities-based NET Ministries. During his first month as a missionary, his NET team served in the Diocese of Crookston putting on retreats in the parishes and schools throughout the diocese. After serving with NET Ministries, he joined the Companions of Christ, a fraternity of diocesan priests in Saint Paul, and worked for Saint Paul’s Outreach leading college Bible study groups.

After his year of discernment, he was accepted into the Saint Paul Seminary. Four years later, in 1997, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Bishop Cozzens served as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Paul and then Faribault Catholic Community (now Divine Mercy) before being sent to Rome for doctoral studies. Upon his return to Minnesota, Bishop Cozzens served as a Professor of Sacramental Theology and a Formator at the Saint Paul Seminary from 2006 until 2013.

In the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Bishop Cozzens has served as Vicar for Catholic Education and supervised the Archdiocesan Synod Process while overseeing the offices of Latino Ministry, Evangelization, and Marriage, Family and Life.  He currently serves as the chair of the board for NET Ministries, St. Paul’s Outreach, The Institute for Priestly Formation and The Seminary Formation Council. Additionally, Bishop Cozzens is the chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis where on behalf of the bishops he is leading a three-year National Eucharistic Revival that will begin in June of 2022.

Commenting on his appointment Bishop Cozzens said, “I am humbled and honored to be asked by the Holy Father to be the next Shepherd of the Diocese of Crookston. I look forward to getting to know the priests, deacons, consecrated religious and many faithful laity of the diocese. I pray that together we can grow to be Christ’s faithful disciples who make present his love in Northwestern Minnesota.”
“The Diocese of Crookston extends a heartfelt welcome to our new shepherd, Bishop Andrew Cozzens,” said the Most Rev. Richard Pates, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Crookston. “He brings an engaging pastoral spirit, extensive experience, positive energy and will soon have the smell of the sheep of Northwest Minnesota on his person. May his days among us be especially blessed.”

Bishop Cozzens succeeds Bishop Michael Hoeppner, whose resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on April 13.

The Diocese of Crookston serves the 14 northwest counties of Minnesota with more than 32,000 Catholics and 66 parishes.

It's COVID season again and Father would like to remind us all that if you are feeling ill, please stay home from Mass. Also, the Precious Blood will not be offered and Communion is permitted only in the hand. The pandemic has been trying for everyone and we appreciate your understanding. You can read the letter from Bishop Pates on the subject here.

Do you need help buying food, paying rent, or paying other bills? There is a website that can connect you with resources. Click on findhelp.org to learn more.

Because All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) falls on a Monday this year, it is not a Holy Day of obligation. However St. Francis will offer the usual holy day Mass schedule at 7 am and 7 pm, with a Mass in Georgetown at 5 pm.

On All Souls' Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, we will offer Mass at 7 pm. As is traditional at St. Francis, this will be a special Mass during which we remember all parishioners who have passed away during the previous year. Family members especially are invited to come and receive a wooden cross with the name of the departed as we pray for your loved ones.

Our Parish Mission Statement

“To inspire all people to know, love, and serve God, by cultivating our faith family,
embracing our cultural diversity,
and serving the greater community.”

Misión de nuestra Parroquia

“Inspirar a todas las personas a
conocer, amar y servir a Dios,
cultivando nuestra familia de fe,
abrazando nuestra diversidad cultural y
sirviendo a la comunidad en general.”

https://www.crookston.org/perfectfit

We always need help with light maintenance inside and outside the church building. Our all-volunteer maintenance crew works on Wednesday mornings from 8 am to noon, and keeps our parish from having to pay full or part-time staff. If you can help only one Wednesday a month, or even just a couple hours a month, it would be greatly appreciated. Free coffee, water, and treats, along with the eternal thanks of your parish community.

The Father Raul text/email scam has once again reared its head. Father will never text you to ask you to do him a "favor" or to buy gift cards or anything else. If you receive one of these messages, please delete it.