Parish Profile – Sts. Peter and Paul, Gilman

Sts. Peter and Paul in Gilman.
Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Gilman.

The parish was founded in 1864 and now has 384 households. These questions were answered by parishioner Elissa Brenny, who was assisted by other parishioners.

Q: What is the most interesting facet of your church building?

A: We call our church “a cathedral in the country” — it is a rather large building. The present church, built in 1930, features two tall steeples. This is the third church building in our history. When it was still a log church, before the parish had a permanent pastor, there were three bells, each one to be rung for a particular event. The bell that let people know that a missionary had arrived was the most welcome sound. In 1960, three new bronze bells were cast in Holland. All three bells are now rung together, five minutes prior to Mass.

Interior of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Gilman.
Interior of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Gilman.

Q: What is the most popular event or tradition at your parish?

A: Our Christmas Eve Mass is the most popular event. The church is packed to overflowing, with extra chairs placed in front, in back and alongside the pews. Attending the Christmas Eve Mass is a part of many family traditions because so many people come back home for the holidays.
And people look forward to the singing at that Mass — Sts. Peter and Paul is known for having a very good choir.

Q: What is an interesting historical fact of anecdote about your parish?

A: In about 1909, Gilman, which is a small town, built a three-story Catholic school. The building also housed four or five Benedictine sisters who taught there; a tunnel connects the school to the church. Funded by the parish, the school operated until 1969. Then the Foley school district leased the building as a public school until 1975 and bused students in. Now, it is used on Wednesdays for religious education classes.

Meet the Pastor

Father Leo Moenkedick
Father Leo Moenkedick

Father Leo Moenkedick grew up in Perham. He entered seminary in 1979 and was ordained in 1986. He served as pastor, he has served at St. Mary in Melrose, St. Thomas in Kent and St. Mary in Breckenridge. For two years he was on active duty before returning to parish life at St. Stanislaus in Sobieski, Sacred Heart in Flensburg and St. James in Randall. He has served at the cluster of Sts. Peter and Paul in Gilman, St. Elizabeth in Brennyville and St. Joseph in Morrill since 2011.

Before becoming a priest, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1975; his service included being on active duty for four years with two additional years in the reserves. Father Moenkedick had been a priest for 14 years before he became a military chaplain.

Q: What inspired you to become a priest?

A: I grew up wanting to be a priest. It was the only thing I ever wanted to be as long as I can remember.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your daily life as a priest?

A: Saying Mass is the highlight of my day. I also enjoy serving as a military chaplain, which I have done since the year 2000. (Read more about this.)

Q: What was the theme of a favorite homily that you preached?

A: I enjoy preaching on the Great Commandment — “Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.” I return to this frequently.

Author: The Visitor

The Visitor is the official newpaper for the Diocese of Saint Cloud.

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