Transition Page for the Churches of St. Patrick and St. Thomas More

In April, all parishioners of the Churches of St. Patrick in Kandiiyohi and St. Thomas More in Lake Lillian were invited to meetings at each parish to determine their future. When Bishop LeVoir attended a joint meeting for the parishes in March, he announced the decision made to cease Sunday Masses at the two churches after June 30, 2016. The parishioners needed to determine whether to "merge" with a larger parish (keeping the building open for funerals, private devotionals, festivals, etc.. but depleting the parish's assets to continue to maintain the facility), or to "close" the parish (the assets are sold and then put into the parish's cemetery fund).

After much discussion and many questions posed to Father Steve, each parish made the decision to close.

The purpose of this web page is to provide information regarding the closing process and address parishioners' concerns. Please check back often for updates. If you have a question about the closing of the two parishes that isn't addressed here, you may use the form below to submit a question.

​We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the transition. 

Last updated 5/22/2016, 12:58 pm

Timeline

March 29, 2016 - Bishop LeVoir led meeting to explain options available for small parishes as we face the future with fewer priests and a decline in the number of Catholics in the Diocese of New Ulm.

April 25 - Parish meeting at the Church of St. Patrick in Kandiyohi. Parishioners decide to close the parish, which means the assets will be sold. After the sale of all assets, the remaining funds will go to the parish cemetery. Parishioners also decide that sacramental records will be transferred to the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. The Church of St. Mary Cemetery committee will oversee St. Patrick's cemetery.

April 28 - Parish meeting at the Church of St. Thomas More in Lake Lillian. Parishioners decide to close the parish, which means the assets will be sold. Parishioners also decide that sacramental records will be transferred to the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. After the sale of all assets, the remaining funds will go to the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. 

June 19 - Final regular Sunday Mass at St. Thomas More.​

June 26 - Final regular Sunday Mass at St. Patrick.

June 27 - Last regular office hours in Kandiyohi.

August 26 - Bishop LeVoir will preside at a closing Mass at the Church of St. Patrick in Kandiyohi.

August 27 - Bishop LeVoir will preside at a closing Mass at the Church of St. Thomas More in Lake LIllian.