Parish north of Baxter in works

Another Catholic parish will be established north of Baxter.

In a letter to members of the six parishes of the Southern Brainerd Deanery, Bishop Dennis Schnurr announced plans for the creation of the new parish. The plans were presented formally to parishioners throughout the deanery at a meeting held Wednesday night at The Lodge in Baxter.

The announcement was the culmination of a 2 1/2-year study conducted by a representative committee from area parishes that was established by Schnurr. Their task was to examine the growth and changing demographics in the area and make recommendations on how to best meet the needs of the Catholic communities over the next 30 years.

Two years ago, there was talk of consolidating Brainerd's St. Andrew's Catholic Church and Nisswa's St. Christopher's Catholic Church to make up the new parish.

"To my knowledge, there's been no decision to do that," said the Rev. Tony Wroblewski, pastor of Brainerd Area Catholic Churches.

The future of St. Thomas of the Pines, the seasonal Catholic church located near Madden's Pine Beach West Golf Course, however, is uncertain, according to Wroblewski.

About two years ago, the Diocese of Duluth purchased 57 acres of land near Barbeau Road and Carlson Lake Road in Unorganized Territory in Brainerd. Wroblewski said nothing officially has been announced, but that would most likely be the location of the new church.

A new parish was one of 10 recommendations from the steering committee, all of which were accepted by Schnurr. Other areas of focus included the addition of more priests to serve the growing population and the engagement of more lay leadership in support of the priests and parishes.

With particular anticipation of the substantial growth in the senior population, additional studies will be made to review the feasibility of a Catholic Community Center that provides senior living space for laity as well as a wing for retired priests and space for collaborative programs within the deanery and diocese, including education and retreats.

Deacon Mike Knuth and Lori Knuth, Schnurr's representatives on the committee, see the recommendations as a positive statement about the church's response to the growing area.

"We live in a very exciting time. As more and more people move into our lakes area and call it home, there are going to be many challenges that face us as well as many golden opportunities for the church to be present and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them," the Knuths stated in a news release.

The Rev. George Zeck, St. Christopher's pastor, expressed enthusiasm for the new parish and the opportunities presented by the other recommendations.

"It is exciting to be a part of the growth in our faith communities," Zeck said in a news release. "There is much more than a new parish within the recommendations. It is a larger vision to share in spreading the Gospel."

The timeline for implementing the accepted recommendations will span three years. According to Schnurr's letter, by September, an advisory council with representation from all of the deanery parishes will be established. At the same time, the deanery will begin the formation of leadership for the new parish.

By July 2008, the new parish is expected to be incorporated and the surrounding parishes will prepare to set the new leadership model into effect.

No later than July 2009, the balance of the recommendations would begin to be implemented. It also is expected that, well before then, a new pastor will be assigned. The recommendations are expected to be fully implemented by July 2010.

- Staff Writer Heidi Lake contributed this story