St. Agnes, St. Margaret to Merge with St. Louis Under Diocese Restructuring Plan

(KNSI) – Two local Catholic parishes are moving closer to a significant transition as the Diocese of St. Cloud advances its pastoral restructuring plan.

St. Agnes in Roscoe and St. Margaret in Lake Henry are set to merge with St. Louis Church in Paynesville, which will serve as the primary worship site under the newly consolidated parish corporation. Assumption Church in Eden Valley will remain its own separate corporation and is not part of the merger.

While acknowledging the emotional weight of the changes ahead, Bishop Neary framed the merger within a message of faith and resilience. “As a diocese, we will pass through moments of grieving together,” he said, “and grief often involves intense sadness, feelings of shock and numbness, as well as feelings of denial and anger.”

He encouraged parishioners to hold onto a broader sense of what it means to be the Church, “When St Teresa of Calcutta was asked how she would define the church, she said, ‘But who is the church? You and I? The church are those who follow him.'” Neary went on to say that “we may have to say goodbye to a building or a place we have grown to love. But we’ll do this together. We’ll do this in love.”

With the future of both the St. Agnes and St. Margaret buildings still undetermined, the diocese is forming separate task force committees made up of parishioners to decide what will happen to each property and its contents. Those interested in joining either task force are encouraged to contact the parish office at 243-4413 or speak with Fr. Glenn directly.

The plan, known as the “All Things New” initiative, has received approval from the Diocesan Committee for the Affirmation of Plans (CAP), which reviewed the proposal to confirm it is realistic and aligns with diocesan guidelines. It will next be forwarded to the Presbyteral Council, a consulting body of priests who advise the bishop, before Bishop Patrick Neary issues a formal decree in the coming months.

The restructuring comes amid a broader set of challenges facing the Diocese of St. Cloud. In a video address to parishioners, Bishop Neary laid out the difficult data driving the decision. Since 2010, Mass attendance has declined by 33%, weddings have declined by 45%, baptisms by 45%, and confirmations by 35%. He went on to say the average occupancy of our churches for Sunday Mass is at 39% and four out of five parishes in our diocese are unable to meet ministry and operation budgets through Sunday offerings alone.

The bishop expressed particular concern for the diocese’s priests, noting they are shepherding an average 2.4 parishes, more than double the national average.

Once Bishop Neary issues his final decree, a transition committee will be formed to guide the parishes through the consolidation process.

___