North Cluster

Staff Directory

Priests

  • Fr. Michael Garry, Pastor

    fr.michael.garry@duluthcatholic.org

    I was born in the Twin Cities, but my family moved north to Nisswa after my parents bought Agate Lake Resort, which they still own and operate today. I grew up on the resort, attended St. Christopher’s church in Nisswa, and graduated from Brainerd High School. I attended St. John Vianney College Seminary on the campus of St. Thomas University for my undergraduate studies. After that I was sent to the North American College in Rome for theological studies. I was ordained in 2013, a year behind Fr. Daniel. My first assignment as a priest was in Virginia, MN. I was there only one year when I was transferred to west Duluth to help merge a new cluster of parishes and to close one of them. The church that happened to close was St. Margaret Mary, from which All Saints parish acquired the stained glass windows and few other items for their new church. After west Duluth I was made pastor of Resurrection and St. Joseph in Eveleth and Gilbert respectively. I have been pastor there for 4.5 years and very much enjoyed my time there. I have invariably found that there are good people in every assignment I have been given.

  • Fr. Scott Padrnos, Parochial Vicar

    fr.scott.padrnos@duluthcatholic.org

    I grew up on the edge of Brainerd and Nisswa, down St. Colombo Rd. My parents, Dan and Sue, own and operate a small resort on Gull Lake, and I grew up working there with the family. I am the middle of five kids, with two older brothers (Tony and Christopher) and a younger sister (Gina) and a younger brother (Aaron). After graduating from Brainerd High School in 2008, I went to St. John’s in Collegeville for undergrad. I graduated with a bachelors degree in mathematics, and returned to the resort in 2012. After a brief stint at Aerotek as a recruiter for businesses in the St. Cloud area, I came back home with plans on remaining at the resort. However, the Lord had other plans. After an encounter with the living God, the desire to become His priest continued to grow. A few months later I started the application process for seminary. As they say, the rest is history. I was ordained this past June 24 at the Cathedral in Duluth, and this is my first assignment as a priest. I have a deep love for the Brainerd area, and I am so grateful to be in a place with so many hearts burning with love for Christ.

Parish Staff

  • Deacon Ralph Bakeberg

  • Deacon Joe Des Marais

    I married Lisa Essington in January 1984 and we have two children. Jennifer, and her husband Andrew Ranweiler, live in Brainerd, along with our four grandchildren! Our son Matthew lives in St. Paul, MN. We moved from Staples to Baxter in 1994. In 1998 we moved to South Long lake.

  • Deacon Keith Grow

  • Deacon Mike Knuth

    I was ordained in 1991. I am married to Lori and we have five children. Three of our children are married and two are in religious life. I am a certified spiritual director and conduct a number of retreats, seminars, and in-services, as well as offering spiritual direction.

  • Deacon Jerry Lachiewicz

    My wife, Kim, and I retired here after living in Colorado Springs for 37 years. Kim and I have 5 adult children and numerous grandchildren. I was ordained a deacon in 2011 and love serving the family of God through bereavement ministry, adult education and sacramental prep.

  • Aana Freihammer, Liturgy & Music Director

    Aana.Freihammer@duluthcatholic.org

    My husband, Brandon, my two children and I moved from the Bemidji area, where I served as Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Philip’s. I grew up in the Brainerd area and attended St. Francis School. After college I became the Director of Liturgy and Music at All Saints in Lakeville.

  • Maureen Pickar, Business Manager

    Maureen.Pickar@duluthcatholic.org

    I was raised in Maplewood, MN and attended Presentation Catholic School, graduating from St. Catherine’s College with a business administration degree with concentration of economics and finance. I relocated to Brainerd with my husband, Curt, and sons, Ron, Adam and Todd, in 2005.

  • Melissa Poster, Administrative Assistant

    Melissa.Poster@duluthcatholic.org

    As a parishioner of St. Francis, Melissa has been a volunteer with FUSE, Prayer Warrior Team and choir. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and has completed three years of business school, well-versed in customer service, technology, volunteer management and outreach.

  • Julie Rhoda, Bookkeeper

    Julie.Rhoda@duluthcatholic.org

    My husband Dave and I moved to the Brainerd area in 1998 and have been members of St. Francis ever since. We have 2 children, Hannah and Daniel. My favorite hobbies are cooking, canning, gardening, painting, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends at the cabin.

  • Kathy Binsfeld, St. Francis Music Director

    Kathy.Binsfeld@duluthcatholic.org

    I have been a Church music director in the Duluth Diocese for a number of years. We have 5 children and 2 grandchildren whom we think are amazing. We live in Baxter, Gary is retired and I am obviously semi-retired. I graduated from St Ben’s with an emphasis on Music Liturgy.

  • Mark Euteneuer, Church & School Lead Campus Maintenance Engineer

    Mark.Euteneuer@sf-school.org

  • Ken Yaunick, St. Francis School & Church Custodian

    Ken.Yaunick@duluthcatholic.org

  • Dan Johnson, High School Faith Formation & RCIA

    djohnson@lakescatholic.org

    I grew up on a farm just outside of Dickinson, ND, and spent 14 years as a partner in a computer company after graduating high school. I graduated from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with degrees in philosophy and theology. I also spent two years in seminary. I moved to Brainerd in 2011.

  • Britt Johnson, Middle School Faith Formation

    bjohnson@lakescatholic.org

    My husband Dan and I attend St. Francis Church. Payton is my compassionate, kind, intelligent, and thoughtful son, and Fallon is my caring, generous, funny, and joyful daughter. I have lived in the Brainerd area my entire life mostly because I can’t bear to be away from the water and the woods.

  • Celeste Badger, Elementary Faith Formation

    cbadger@lakescatholic.org

    I began working for St Francis Parish in 1997 and I currently am blessed to work with the youngest children in all four parishes. My husband Rob and I have four daughters who all attended St Francis School and we are very grateful for the Christ-centered education they received there.