I love the diversity that Cottage Grove brings to St. Rita’s and when they share their stories, their culture, and their lived faith experiences with St. Rita’s Catholic Church we are all enriched.”

Fr. Mark Joppa

For more information on the services and events at the Church of St. Rita call 651-459-4596 or visit their website at www.saintritas.org. You can also follow them on Facebook at St. Rita’s Church.

Church of St. Rita
8694 80th Street South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
View larger map

The Church of St. Rita in Cottage Grove, Minnesota has been a long-standing fixture in the local community. As a Catholic parish of approximately 1,450 families, the Church of St. Rita is known for their hospitality and the warm welcome they extend to all individuals, regardless of where they are in their faith journey. They have a mission to “Connect Faith and Life” in their community and live their faith not only on weekends but every day of the week.

As the parish has grown in number, the Church building has had two new additions, one in 1980 and one completed in 2016. Through donations from the parish community, the Church has added in recent years, a new tabernacle, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a new Cross/Corpus, new kneelers, and enhanced Stations of the Cross. The Church of St. Rita also boasts a 36-foot bell tower that holds a 2,100-pound bell.

The Church of St. Rita was named for Rita of Cascia, the patron saint of impossible causes. Rita, an Italian wife and mother, later became an Augustinian nun in Cascia after the death of her husband and two sons. She is remembered for her austerity, prayerfulness, and charity as well as her forgiveness for those who killed her husband. In 1998, a statue of Saint Rita with an outstretched arm was installed at the entrance to the Church building to welcome all who enter.

The Church of St. Rita has been blessed with ten wonderful priests who have caused the parish to thrive under their leadership, including current Pastor Father Mark Joppa. Father Mark Joppa has served at the Church of St. Rita parish for 3 ½ years of his sixteen years as a priest. The second of six children, Joppa grew up in Crystal, Minnesota and graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper High School before continuing his education at St. Scholastica and attending St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Describing what he enjoys about his parish, he shares, “I love the diversity that Cottage Grove brings to St. Rita’s and when they share their stories, their culture, and their lived faith experiences with St. Rita’s Catholic Church we are all enriched.”
He mentions the care and generosity of his parishioners especially within the parish. “Cooking and baking are a couple of their “love languages” and I love it when they share their talents with me and with their fellow parishioners.”
Fr. Joppa feels that the biggest challenge he faces is complacency in the church. “People today like to “stay safe;” there are fewer risk takers and more referees (people who sit safely on the sidelines and critique, criticize, and seek to cancel those who are out front taking risks). I see the need in our community for people to be to be pushed a bit as generally people are risk averse,” he explains. He urges, “I see the need for people to take a risk, go on adventure with God and not be afraid to be intimate and vulnerable (I know those are charged words) with God. Give God a fighting chance in their lives.”

The Church of St. Rita parish is devoted to sharing the Love of Christ and connecting with the community around them in numerous ways. Every third Friday of the month at 6pm they host a delicious community meal where all are welcome. A fall festival is held on the 3rd weekend of September which includes a pig roast, bingo, silent auction, and raffles. The Outreach Committee has a craft sale/bake sale on the first weekend of November where handmade items from parishioners are sold including quilts, baked goods, and Christmas decorations etc.

The music ministry at the Church of St. Rita is thriving and always welcomes new members. With up to ten different music groups for all ages from general to classical directed by Music Director Adam Baus, parishioners are likely to find a place where they fit in and can worship God freely. They cultivate a range of musical styles from traditional chant through classical, Vatican II to contemporary. Singing not your style? St. Rita’s also encourages instrumental volunteers, audio volunteers and music office volunteers who can assist with weekly office tasks and musical projects.

During the week the Church of St. Rita has Mass at 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 8:30 am on Wednesdays and Fridays. Weekend Mass times are 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Confession is held on Saturdays at 4pm with Adoration from 8:30 am to 5 pm on Thursdays.

The Church of St. Rita understands the importance of guiding and directing the next generation in the ways of Christ. Faith Formation classes are held on Wednesdays from 4:30 pm to 6 pm for kindergarten through fifth grade and from 7 pm to 8:30 pm for sixth grade through tenth grade.

For more information on the services and events at the Church of St. Rita call 651-459-4596 or visit their website at www.saintritas.org. You can also follow them on Facebook at St. Rita’s Church.