St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church

06/18/2026

The Pope has just released his first (solo) encyclical Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.

Pope Leo XIV addresses human dignity and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and invites all of us to consider the profound impacts that rapid technological advancement has on human work, social relations, and the common good of all people.

You can read the full document and a summary at https://sjtw.net/what-is-catholic-social-teaching.

This encyclical and the topic of artificial intelligence will be discussed at our upcoming Sow Seeds of Justice session this fall on November 12, 2026.

06/17/2026

Parking lot maintenance is high on our summer maintenance priority list. Just as we resurfaced both entryway driveways last summer, this summer’s work will include patching, chip sealing, and seal coating. All of this is being done in an effort to extend the life of our lots before a total replacement is needed.

Work on the lot will be done in three phases this summer. Please excuse the mess (and dust) especially during the chip sealing process. The cost of this project is just over $60,000. Your Commitment to Parish Life (CPL and CPL Plus) allows us to take on important projects like this.

In the coming weeks, we ask for your extra generous financial gifts to CPL Plus so that we can completely fund this project without dipping into other funds. As always, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

06/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past weekend in celebrating our 150 years as a parish and the past 50 here in Maple Grove! It was a day full of joy, history, and hope for the next 150 years to come. We give a special thank you to Archbishop Hebda who was able to share in our celebration.

06/16/2026

06/14/2026

Join us in person or by live stream for Mass this weekend to celebrate The Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time on Saturday, June 13 at 5:00 pm and Sunday, June 14 at 8:30 and 10:30 am. Recordings of Saturday's live-stream will be available online at www.sjtw.net.

06/13/2026

With grateful hearts and joyful spirits, we invite all parishioners, former members, friends, and guests to celebrate the anniversary of our parish community.

Special anniversary Masses will be celebrated the weekend of June 13-14, giving thanks to God for these years of faith, fellowship, and service. Following each Mass, you are invited to attend a festive celebration in St. Joe’s Hall featuring an expanded social hour, fellowship, and memories. As a special treat, Archbishop Hebda will be with us to celebrate the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, June 14.

Come celebrate this milestone as we honor our past, rejoice in the present, and look forward with hope to the future God has planned for our parish family.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” — Psalm 107:1

06/12/2026

Fr. Mike's Reflections

A family of 4 came in and they wanted to do a “family confession.” They all wanted to go to confession at the same time. We don’t do that for good reasons. But mom insisted. So when we were all in the room I said that what is said here can never be talked about or brought up again. They all agreed. The kids started with small things that the parents already aware of. Each time I would say that this is now over and done with. It can never be brought up again. Eventually the kids began saying things that the parents did not know about. Mom and dad were shocked to hear everything. After they left, mom came back a month later and said: “We are never going to do that again!” I smiled and agreed. That is why Reconciliation only happens one to one and the priest can never talk about it again.

- Fr. Mike

06/11/2026

Register now for Faith Formation classes for children age 3 through high school! Classes meet mid-September through April and offer engaging opportunities for children and teens to grow in their faith.

Our programs include Sunday School for age 3–Kindergarten, Elementary Faith Formation for grades 1–6, Junior High for grades 7–8, and OneWith for grades 9–11.
Register by Monday, June 15 to receive the early discount tuition rate of $120 per student. After June 15, tuition increases to $140 per student. There are additional fees for sacraments and retreats.

For more information, visit our website or contact the Faith Formation office at 763-425-9801.

06/10/2026

Here in Maple Grove, parish Masses began in a house in late 1975. Mass was held in the basement of that split level home. It wasn’t long before the parish outgrew that building and moved to Cedar Island School. In 1977 the cornerstone of the first church in this location was laid. You can still see it out the far doors of the gathering space (door 2). Since then, our church has become home to a growing number of families with many recent immigrants from all over the world. Our worship space was in what is currently St. Joseph Hall until a new worship space was completed in 2003.

As we conclude this anniversary year, we give thanks for God's faithfulness through every generation. We honor those who came before us, celebrate what God has done among us, and dedicate ourselves anew to the mission entrusted to this church. With gratitude for the past and faith for the future, we move forward together.