The Catholic Communities of Immaculate Conception, St. Louis and St. Mary's

Weekend Mass - Saturday at 5:00 PM
Confessions - 4:30 PM or by appointment.
Weekday Mass - Thursday at 8:30 AM                                                                                                Note: Thursday Masses at Villa Vista from January through Lent

Physical Address: 5944 Highway 210, Cromwell, MN. 55726

Mailing Address: P.O Box 378, Floodwood, MN.  55736

Driving Instructions here.

Sunday Mass - 10:30 AM
Confessions -  10:00 AM or by appointment
                          Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Weekday Masses - Tuesday & Wednesday at 8:30 AM

Physical Address: 105 4th Avenue East, Floodwood, MN 55736

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 378 Floodwood, MN 55736

Driving instructions here.

Sunday Mass:  8:00 AM
Confessions:  7:30 AM or by appointment
Weekday Mass:  Friday at 8:30 AM followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

First Saturdays in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 8:30 AM

Physical Address: 9999 Highway 133, Meadowlands, MN 55765

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 378 Floodwood, MN 55736

Driving instructions here.

As we enter this most holy of times in the Church calendar and in the life of a Christian, it is beneficial for us to understand what it stands for and what we are celebrating during this week. 

We begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday, the triumphant entrance of Jesus into the holy city for the one last time before his arrest that will lead up to his condemnation and crucifixion. He, sinless as he is, would die on the cross together with two outlaws. All this would happen to fulfill the mission of restoring life to the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". (John 3:16) "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John10:10)

Jesus enters into Jerusalem to the chants and shouts of the people acknowledging him as the 'Messiah', the 'Son of David', the one who 'Comes in the name of the Lord'. Yet they will all change that acclamation to a shout of rejection a few days later: "Away with him! Crucify him!" (John 19:14)

Good Friday is that crucial day when Jesus breathes his last and gives up his spirit to the Father, but not until he pronounced mercy for his executioners and for the whole world. "Forgive them Father for they do not know what they are doing". (Luke 23:34) It was for the sins of Adam and Eve, the sins of all their children who lived before the coming of Christ and for ours who live now and in generations to come that caused him to suffer and ended up with such a horrible death. And every time we fall into sin we renew the pain of those wounds that he bore for us.

Jesus showed us and continues to show us through the sacraments the immense heart of God and the depth of his love for us. No matter how many times we fall and wander away from him he always welcomes us back with open arms. He is always ready to embrace us and give us the ring, the symbol of our belonging to the kingdom as his children and heirs of the kingdom. He is always prepared to give us back the tunic, a fresh and new beginning within his embrace to feel loved once again within his household.

Let us not waste this opportunity that the Father offers us once again during this Holy Week to reconcile ourselves once again with each other and with God. God to confession. Confession is an act of humility that we make to confess our sins to God through another human person like ourselves and receive His forgiveness through the his hands. A gift that he left with the Church after his resurrection when he told his apostles: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whoever you forgive their sins they will be forgiven. Whoever sins you retain they will be retained." (John 20:22) 

I wish you all a blessed holy week filled with God's grace and a glorious Easter.

As the world goes through these difficult times with the widespread of the Coronavirus, it is most helpful to remember that God lives. God, good as he is to us, only desires the best for us. That doesn't mean that he will not allow evil like the coronavirus to happen. Let us remember that the coronavirus is man-made and not made by God. It is when we use our freedom and our talents in a way that is sinful and against the plans of God for us that disaster and epidemics happen.

God also provides protection and refuge for us in times like these. Apart from the prayers and intercessions of our Blessed Mother, the "Help of Christians" and "Refuge of sinners", there are numerous saints who have set great examples for us and have obtained healing for many believers over the centuries who have asked for their intercessions. Read about two of such saints here.

I pray that you stay safe and healthy until all calms down and we can get together again around the altar to celebrate God's love in the Holy Eucharist.

Because of the very unusual times we are going through with the widespread of the coronavirus, we are all forced to stay at home, especially during this holy week. Here are some of the things that will be happening in our parishes.

Confessions: I will be hearing confessions at St. Mary's on Monday, April 6 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at Immaculate Conception on Thursday morning, April 9 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and at St. Louis on Saturday, April 11 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM or longer if needed. It is recommended that everyone uses the screen section for confession and to make sure not too many people are in the church at the same time in order to maintain social distancing.

Palms: Blessed palms will be made available at the entrance of each church throughout the week for pick-up. They will be put in appropriate containers and place in front of the church entrance so you can stop by any time and pick them up for your families. For St. Mary's church, they will be placed at the entrance where the ramp is.

Good Friday: The churches will remain open for a few hours during Good Friday for people to visit and pray before the crucifix. The hours are as follows: Immaculate Conception 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, St. Mary's 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, St. Louis for the whole day. Because of the location of the Immaculate Conception church, being isolated, I will be there the whole time in the morning to keep the church open and available for anyone who wishes to go to confession.

I assure you of my daily prayers for you and your families. I hold personal adorations daily for you and on your behalf and celebrate Mass daily for your intentions until we are able to come together again to praise and worship God in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.