Jim and Lori Wagner attended Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in St. Rosa on May 31. There’s nothing unique about that … except that they are long-time members of St. Anthony Parish in St. Cloud.
Over the past two years, the couple has made it their mission to attend Mass at all 47 Catholic churches in Stearns County. Their recent visit to St. Rose of Lima puts them close to completing that journey. And what began as a fun weekend activity now has grown into a deeply meaningful learning experience.
Right around the time Lori retired in 2024, their daughter Lisa, who is a librarian, came across a book she thought her parents would find entertaining — a book featuring churches in Stearns County. And they did enjoy looking at the photos of churches, enough so that they decided they would like to see them in person.
Jim had retired in 2020 and they had more time to travel, so they made a list and checked off the churches they had already visited.
Jim’s brother, Father Don Wagner, is a priest of the diocese currently serving as pastor of Assumption in Eden Valley, St. Anne in Kimball and St. Nicholas in St. Nicholas. The couple had visited those and a number of other parishes he was assigned to over the years.
They also attended weddings or funerals in some of the other area parishes so that left about 36 parishes on the list yet to visit.
“We thought we’d get to them all in a year,” Lori said, laughing.
To them, it feels like the right time to take on this adventure. Over the next few years, 36 church buildings in the diocese, including 16 in Stearns County, are proposed for infrequent use, closing or be repurposed as part of the All Things New planning initiative.
“Driving into St. Rosa and seeing their beautiful church elevated on a hill, our first thought was how the Catholic Church is central to our Catholic faith and to our rural communities,” the couple said.
Lori, who serves on the ACC committee for the All Called to Christ Area Catholic Community, believes that getting out to visit the rural areas of the diocese has given her a new perspective and understanding of why people are so passionate about keeping their churches open.
“It really gives me, especially being on the ACC [committee], a real empathy for what they’re going through with closing churches and how that church is their life and [the focus of] the town,” she said.
Even when the reasons are understood, it’s still painful to imagine some of these beautiful buildings no longer being used to celebrate Mass, Jim said.
“To see the beauty of these churches — the artwork, the paintings on the ceilings — and then think about it being torn down … I just can’t fully comprehend that.”
Jim stressed the importance of people getting to know the other churches in their area, especially now.
“I would just say that people should go because there’s the possibility of closing churches now,” he said. “Go out and experience other churches. Maybe there’s one that you would like to go to, so you feel comfortable there.”
At the time of this interview, the couple has only six parishes left on their list, and they say their experiences at churches across Stearns County have been overwhelmingly positive. The pastors and parishioners have been especially welcoming.
They remember one parish in particular. When they attended a Wednesday morning Mass at St. Donatus in Brooten — one of the buildings slated to be repurposed — they were struck by the warmth of the hospitality and the welcoming atmosphere.
“They even invited us over for homemade rhubarb dessert,” Lori said. “It was beautiful.”
Before visiting a parish, they read about the history in the book their daughter gave them. It is specifically about Stearns County, so they started there, but now they are considering expanding their mission to the entire diocese.
“It just strengthens our faith to be around other people, and I just love that,” Lori explained. “No matter where we go, the Church is the same. It strengthens our faith to be around others of all ages. And it’s good to see the young families.”
There were indeed many young families at the Mass they attended in St. Rosa. The church was packed and extra seating was set up in the gathering area.
“This parish feels so alive,” Lori exclaimed as they waded through the crowd to greet the pastor, Father Dan Walz.
“Being so warmly welcomed at the churches we visited was heartwarming and it encourages us to continue on our mission,” they said. “Sharing Mass with other Catholics is a reminder to us of how universal the Catholic Church is and how the church will always be home to us, no matter where we worship.”
As the diocese goes through the restructuring process, the couple hopes people can focus on what it means to be part of the Universal Church.
“I think we would encourage others to get beyond their home parish, to get out there and meet new people and see what the other churches are like,” Lori said. “I just think [when] you get out and you get a chance to be with people, it just broadens you and it introduces you to more of the whole Church, the bigger Church.”