OFFICIAL NAME
The official name of our parish is The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but we are most commonly known by our “nickname” St. Mary’s - Big River.
The feast date for our parish is September 8th.

DEMOGRAPHICS
St. Mary's - Big River is a small rural parish with approximately 140 families. We are in a farming community very close to the Twin Cities of St. Paul/Minneapolis and are a growing area with new single family homes being built in the surrounding countryside. Our parishioners span the generations, from young families with lots of children, young adults, newly marrieds, middle agers and seniors. Some families have three and four generations belonging to St. Mary's. In fact, our former pastor, Fr. Bill Matzek, was born and raised in the area and much of his family is still living, working and farming here and attending St. Mary's. A lot of our families are related or are neighbors and friends, as most small parishes seem to be, and most of the parishioners know each other. This makes for happy, lively social gatherings and fellowships. We also have a large homeschooling population at St. Mary's and who are very active in the life of the parish. 

DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE
St. Mary's is part of the Diocese of La Crosse. Located in West Central WI. The Diocese of La Crosse is home to more than 200,000 Catholics. The Diocese consists of 19 counties in West Central Wisconsin, and is about 15,000 square miles.  The diocese is divided into 14 territories known as deaneries.
 
DURAND DEANERY
St. Mary's belongs to the Durand Deanery consisting of 14 Parishes situated in the Diocese of La Crosse.