Affiliated Organizations

In addition to parish ministries and programs, St. Michael also supports the work of several strong external organizations and ministries. We support four organizations with regular financial contributions and other support. 
 

Options for Women | Cornerstone

Cornerstone is our local, nonprofit women’s clinic and pregnancy center, providing compassionate, confidential care to women and families, free of charge.  Visit online at cornerstoneoptions.com.
 

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Volunteers from our local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul go out in pairs to meet with those in need, primarily in eastern Wright County. Donations, grants, and the local SVdP Thrift Store provides money to support this mission, as well as low-cost clothing, home goods, and other non-food items. Visit online at svdpstore.net.
 

Hanover Food Shelf

Based at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover, the Hanover Food Shelf redistributes fresh, frozen, and nonperishable food items and more to local people and families without enough to eat. Visit online at hanoverareafoodshelf.org.

Mustard Seed Communities

The needs of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world matter. That is why we give to Mustard Seed Communities, a nonprofit caring for more than 600 children and adults with development and physical disabilities globally. We plan to take a mission trip to Mustard Seed in the Dominican Republic every year. Visit online at mustardseed.com.

Our parishioners also support, volunteer with, and often lead community organizations and ministries with local chapters, councils, or conferences in our area.
 

Catholic United Financial

This is a fraternal organization that holds fundraisers with the proceeds benefiting our Catholic parish and school. Catholic United sponsors the Living Rosary, May Crowning, America Needs Fatima Rosary Rally, and a "join hands" project that unites the community and church together socially. We also visit the sick, go to retirement homes, and sponsor youth activities.  All parishioners are welcome and invited to participate. Contact Andrea Zachman at  azachman@stmcatholicchurch.org.

---

Community Education Endowment Fund

A 501(c)(3) organization established in 1991, accepting tax-deductible donations and investing monies to create a perpetual fund to support our Catholic School. Currently we are looking for interested persons who are savvy in marketing and finance. Quarterly meetings are open to all those interested, and are held at the St. Michael Catholic Church. Contact Brian Bruner at  brian.m.bruner@excelenergy.com.

---

Council of Catholic Women (CCW)

CCW provides many charitable services to the parish throughout the year, such as reciting the rosary at members' wakes, hosting a spring luncheon and an annual bake sale, making and distributing quilts for the homeless, distributing Christmas baskets to the parish homebound, donating to those locally in need, sponsoring educational opportunities, holding the CCW annual retreat, sponsoring the graduates' breakfast, and various other events. Each year they support the Appalachian Christmas project by gathering donations, such as clothing, school, baby, kitchen, and bath supplies, as well as many toys and sending them to Kentucky. CCW meetings are generally held after the evening Mass on the third Tuesday of the month from September through May. CCW offers a monthly prayer for our members, families, spouses and children. At the 8:30 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of each month, CCW members attend Mass together by sitting in designated pews to represent their group. After Mass, they stay briefly to say some prayers. Contact Judy Beaudry at 763-497-4344 or ljbeaudry@charter.net.

---

Knights of Columbus

A men’s Catholic fraternal organization, Knights of Columbus Council 4174 serves the St. Michael and St. Albert parishes through our principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. We provide volunteer and financial support for numerous family, pro-life, youth and community activities. Meetings are the first Thursday of the month at St. Albert Parish Hall. All practicing Catholic men are welcome and encouraged to join.  Contract Grand Knight Erich Kunzman at e.kunzman@gmail.com.

---

Respect Life

Members inform the parishioners of pro-life issues, work with the Archdiocesan Respect Life Office.  We work to promote respect for human life from conception to natural death, to bring about a conversion of heart and mind to be open to God's special gift of life.  Our out reach opportunities include:  Mother's and Father's Day Events, Pro-life newsletter, County Fair Booth Staffing, Parish Festival Booth, Respect Life Breakfast and Dinner, Life Chain, Day of the Unborn, 40 days for life, and working with Options for Women Cornerstone Center. Contact Jim Shovelain at 763-497-3909 or shovelain@juno.com.

---

Serra Club

Serra is an organization of Catholic men and women.  For over 70 years, their mission has been to foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States. Contact Marian Meyer at 763-497-2371.

---

Sharing & Caring Hands

Parishioners are invited, on the second Thursday morning of the month, to help prepare a meal and take it to Sharing & Caring Hands in Minneapolis. Volunteers help prepare and distribute the food on site along with cakes, cookies and bars.  Vans are needed to transport the food and volunteers to Minneapolis. Contact Jodi Gendron at 612-701-8504 or jodilgendron@gmail.com.