About Us

A parish is like a family...a really big family! We currently have over 1,500 households at St. Joseph’s. That many people can be overwhelming, but to help everyone get acquainted, here are a few tips:

• Stick around after Sunday morning Masses to enjoy coffee, rolls and fellowship.
• Give of your time and talent to our parish ministries and in social outreach to the poor in our community.
• Participate in small group studies or faith sharing opportunities or join a committee. These are great ways to deepen your faith and meet people.
• Come to any number of social events at the parish throughout the year to meet others and share some laughs.

If you have any questions about our parish community, please call the parish office at (218) 236-5066.

The crucifix you see above the altar is very unique. It was created by Richard Szeitz in 2005. Steitz also created our smaller processional crucifix in 1999. Both are unusual, as they do not protray Chrsit in agony. His head is looking straight ahead and his eyes are open. He is portrayed as alive, looking out to the congregation, with his arms outstretched in welcome. Szeitz wanted the crucifixes to speak of welcome, and being part of the Benedictine tradition, Cistercians share this emphasis on hospitality.

Szeitz was born in 1930 in Budapest and became a Cistercian novice. While he was still in monastic formation, he escaped Soviet-controlled Hungary in 1950. He came to the United States in 1953, to a monastery near Milwaukee, which was fortunate as he could continue his art education at the Layton School of Art there. He received his MFA at the University of Wisconsin. The Cistercians sent him and a number of other monks to Dallas, as an order of sisters were trying to create a new university, The University of Dallas. Szeitz was asked to create the art department there, which he did. He came to Moorhead in 1966 to create the MSUM art department.

Szeitz created the crucifix and a statue of Mary and Jesus near the baptismal at Nativity Catholic Church, a Marian statue outside of Assumption Church in Barnsville, a fountain at TNI, and the "Fountain of Abundance" at West Acres.

Thank you to Arland Jacobson for interviewing Mr. Szeitz.

Come back later for more details!