651-738-0677 ext. 11

Father Biju Mathew was born on April 10, 1970, in Kerala, India, the second child of Mr. Mathew and Mrs. Annamma Mathew. He has two brothers and one sister. His younger brother is also a religious priest, currently serving in Papua New Guinea.

After completing high school, Father Biju joined the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception in 1985. He completed his minor seminary formation, followed by philosophical studies in Bangalore, India, and then theological studies at the Urban University in Rome. He also earned a Master’s degree from the University of Teresianum in Rome.

Father Biju was ordained to the priesthood on September 5, 1998.

Upon returning from Rome, he served his religious congregation in various leadership roles across multiple communities. In 2008, he was missioned to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, where he served as Pastor of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Saint Paul for nine years. During this time, he also ministered as a chaplain at several hospitals, including HealthPartners, HealthEast, and Fairview, and served as Administrator of Saint Matthew’s Church, also in Saint Paul.

In 2017, Father Biju formally joined the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. He now serves as Pastor of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, and as Chaplain at Saint John’s Hospital in Maplewood and Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury.

On September 5, 2023, Father Biju joyfully celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his priestly ordination, marking 25 years of faithful service to God and His people.

Fluent in English, Italian, and several Indian languages, Father Biju brings a wealth of spiritual depth, pastoral experience, and cultural richness to our parish.

We thank God for the gift of his priesthood and pray that the Almighty blesses him with continued health, strength, and grace as he shepherds our parish community.

651-738-0677 ext. 10

I grew up in the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle, where my family worshipped during my childhood. After getting married, my husband and I settled near the original Blessed Sacrament site and raised our family while attending church there for many years. This parish community has been a constant in my life, and I truly feel blessed to be so deeply connected to it. For over twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of working in the parish. I began my ministry as the Faith Formation Director, where I was honored to walk alongside families and children on their journey of faith. Over the past ten years, I’ve transitioned into the administrative side of parish life and now serve as the Business Administrator—a role that allows me to support the daily operations of our parish while continuing to build meaningful relationships with our wonderful parishioners. Outside of work, my greatest joy is spending time with my husband, our ten children, and twenty-six grandchildren. Faith and family are everything to us, and we cherish every moment together. It is truly a blessing to serve this community that has taught me much about my faith and warmly embraced my family for generations.

For over 40 years, I have had the joy and privilege of serving in music ministry at Blessed Sacrament. My work includes coordinating liturgies, playing for Masses, and leading rehearsals with our cantors and choirs. Music has always been a meaningful part of my faith, and it’s a blessing to share that gift with our parish community.

In addition to my ministry work, I am an Avon Consultant and operate a home-based medical billing business. I grew up on a rural farm in Wisconsin and later moved to St. Paul, where I’ve made my home.

My husband, who passed away in 2001, and I have been blessed with a large and loving family—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren totaling over thirty. Family is a central part of my life, and I cherish every opportunity to spend time with them.

In my free time, I enjoy shopping at the Mall of America, playing piano, and flower gardening—each activity brings me joy and peace in its own way.

It has been a true blessing to be part of this parish community for so many years, and I look forward to continuing to serve through the gift of music.

Mark has served as our Facility Manager since 2022, helping to ensure that our parish buildings and grounds are safe, functional, and well-maintained. While Mark does not have set office hours or a direct phone line, any facilities-related concerns can be directed to the parish office, and staff will coordinate with him as needed.

Mark and his wife have been faithful and active members of Blessed Sacrament for over 37 years, and we are truly grateful for their dedication and service to our parish community.

651-738-0677 ext. 12

My family has been part of Blessed Sacrament Church for over 60 years, faithfully attending Mass at both worship sites. Over the decades, this parish has truly become our spiritual home, and the time I spend with my parish family is deeply meaningful to me.

I currently serve as the volunteer Office Support Manager, a role I’m honored to fulfill. After working at the University of St. Thomas for over 41 years, I bring a broad range of technical skills and professional experience that I now use in service to our parish community.

My responsibilities include computer system support, managing Flocknotes, assisting with website updates, funeral coordination, homebound Communion, and general office support. I’m also blessed to serve as the parish photographer, capturing moments from parish events to share on the bulletin boards in the Gathering Space.

I look forward to continuing this journey of faith and service—and to seeing you at church!

651-738-0677 ext. 18

Since joining our parish in 2021, Martha Gonzalez has been a vibrant and integral part of our faith community. A devoted mother of five—two of whom live nearby—Martha brings not only her deep faith but also her joyful energy and leadership to all she does.

Currently serving as our Faith Formation Director, Martha has been instrumental in inspiring parents and children alike to reclaim Sunday mornings for God. Under her guidance, our Faith Formation program has flourished, nurturing the spiritual growth of children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She and her dedicated team of volunteers prepare students for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, while also leading our Blessed Youth group with passion and purpose.

In addition to her role in youth formation, Martha also leads our adult faith formation, including the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), helping adults come into full communion with the Church.

As the parish’s Safe Environment Coordinator, she ensures that we meet all Archdiocesan standards to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all members of our community.

Her commitment doesn’t stop there—Martha also coordinates our weekly Friday Prayer Group, our monthly Spanish Mass, including organizing the choir and musicians, and co-leads our Parish Evangelization Cells System (PECS), which fosters spiritual growth through small-group faith sharing.

Martha’s dedication, faith, and servant leadership continue to inspire our parish family. We are deeply grateful for her presence and ministry among us.