St. Mary's Mission Fire Relief

My name is Troy Bauer, from Anoka, MN, and St. Mary's Mission Church has played a great role in my life, as well as the lives of others. I ama  former employee and frequent volunteer, visitor, and friend of St. Mary's Mission and Pastor Fr. Jerry. The Church is connected to a school of nearly 100 students and is a focal point for education, culture, and community. Unfortunately, from a yet unknown cause, the Church building burned to the ground this past weekend. The Church itself has existed for nearly 160 years and contained great art, architecture, culture, and most importantly, memories; a place of worship and safety. I am raising money to help with the rebuilding of the church and other financial needs of St. Mary's Mission  during this difficult time. Here is an article with more information about the incident: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/4368464-out-ashes-will-rise-new-church-fire-destroys-historic-st-marys-mission-church I worked at St. Mary's for an entire summer and I have spent time there each summer for the past 6 years. St. Mary's Mission helped me become the person I am today, gave me the desire to pursue a career in ministry, and most importantly, showed me a place that is a beacon of hope, compassion, and generosity for all. I thank you for your own generosity in turn. If you are unable to help support this cause financially, please keep the Mission in your prayers and please share this page by any means that you can. I will close with a message of hope from Fr. Jerry, a long-time mentor and friend, as well as the Pastor of St. Mary’s Mission: “We’re still going to have church, because we’re still church...We look upon the church as our skin. It gives us the place where we can gather, and now we’ll find a new place to gather. And out of the ashes will rise a new church.” Funds will be withdrawn in my name and given as a check directly to St. Mary's Mission via Fr. Jerry.
Thank you and God Bless, Troy Bauer