Staff

Bishop Michael Izen, Pastor

651-436-7817  #1

bishopizen@archspm.org

The Most Reverend Michael Izen serves as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

A native of Fairmont, Minnesota, Bishop Izen was born in 1967, the youngest of six children, to John and Joanna Izen. He graduated from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. After graduation, he worked for nine years at 3M as a systems analyst. During this time, it became clear that God was calling him to discern a possible vocation to the priesthood, so he enrolled at The Saint Paul Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2005.

Following ordination, Bishop Izen served as Parochial Vicar at Divine Mercy in Faribault. In 2007, he was named Pastor at Saint Timothy in Maple Lake, where he served until 2012. He then served as Pastor at Saint Raphael in Crystal until 2015, when he was named Pastor of the Churches of Saint Michael and Saint Mary in Stillwater. In addition, he served as Parochial Administrator of the Church of Saint Charles in Bayport. In each of the four parish assignments leading up to his Episcopal ordination Bishop Izen was blessed to have both a eucharistic adoration chapel and a Catholic school, which fostered and strengthened in him his continuing love for the Eucharist and young people.

On January 5, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Bishop Izen’s ordination to the Episcopacy took place April 11, 2023, during the Octave of Easter, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. As Bishop, he also serves as Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Lake Saint Croix Beach.

Cindy Buckland, Parish Life Director
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cindyb@stfrancislscbmn.org
Hello, I am Cindy Buckland. I’ve been the Director of Faith Formation here at St. Francis of Assisi since 2014 and worked as Faith Formation coordinator since 2008. I’ve been a member of the parish for over 20 years and been involved in faith formation since my kids where in preschool. My first love is the Sunday Children’s Liturgy of the Word and still is today. I answered the call to teach preschool back in 1999 and now look at me today! God has provided me with the opportunity to serve the children of our parish on a full-time basis when I retired from my career as a Dental Assistant, (when one door closes, another opens). I also have retired from my job at County Market  as a Customer Service Manager and in my spare time now I can be seen out with the dog on St Croix Trail or up north in Staples, MN  with my 3 grandsons. Jackson, Caleb & Hudson.

Danika Dorame, Business Administrator
651-436-7817 #3

danikad@stfrancislscbmn.org

651-436-7817 
lynnd@stfrancislscbmn.org
Lynn grew up as Lynn Lutterman on a farm in Dodge Center, MN, a small town close to Kasson Mantorville, MN. As the youngest of 8 children, she grew up in a large family experience with everyone singing, playing piano and band instruments. Another factor of being number 8 in the family order was that her nieces were closer in age to her than her siblings. So, from an early age she began playing, "Choir Director," with her young nieces and thus, the story began. She attended high school at Rochester Lourdes where she participated in every music ensemble possible in both choir and band. She went on to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in both Choral and Instrumental Certification. From there she worked with several twin cities performing groups as performer, arranger, and director of productions. She also helped open the Mall of America Entertainment Park, Knotts Camp Snoopy Musical Productions, where she worked in all of the performing shows and theatrical productions. At the same time, she was the pianist/vocalist at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church with renown singer/songwriter/folk artist Peter Mayer, who now resides in Stillwater, MN, and tours nationally. In 1992, she accepted a position at Hastings High School where she was Director of Choirs. There, she directed three choirs, founded a vocal jazz ensemble, wrote arrangements for the swing choir, directed musicals and special productions, and worked with instrumental ensembles as well. After her son was born, she wanted to have more flexibility and be at home more, so she shifted back into church music. She was the choir director at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings from 2000-2007. She has been at Memorial Lutheran Church in Afton for the last 12 years as music minister/choir/principal accompanist. She is married to John Dewall of Stillwater and lives close by in Lakeland. John is a veteran teacher in Hastings and has taught horticulture, plant science, greenhouse and coached three sports for 43 years. They have a son Lars, whom they adore, who is a senior at St. Scholastica. Lars is a three-sport elite athlete (Cross Country Running, XC Skiing and Track) and it is their pride and joy to attend his races and national competitions year-round. Lars didn’t fall to far from the tree, as he is a secondary education major with an emphasis on sports and exercise physiology. Lynn enjoys long walks, cross country skiing, biking, reading and the beautiful outdoors. She appreciates all God’s creatures as she watches birds, deer, raccoons and all the creatures that adorn the St. Croix Valley. Lynn is thrilled to be at St. Francis and describes it as a homecoming. She is passionate about music and making the music come to life and hopes to touch the people of St. Francis with the gift of music.

Steve Allen, Building & Grounds
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