MEET THE MAGNUSON FAMILY: Finding a Faith Home at St. Joseph’s

Although Jo and Austin Magnuson didn’t grow up in Montevideo, through their years of living here and raising their five children here, it’s become home.

“I like that it’s small enough that you can get to know everyone,” Jo says. “It feels like a family. I also love that there are a lot of kids. At any Mass, it’s just crawling with kids.”

Austin and Jo have five children — Jillian, 13; Russell, 11; Edwin, 7; Leah, 5; and Henry, 2. Transporting the kids to their sports and other activities keeps Jo and Austin very busy. Jillian and Russell are also devoted altar servers.

“Those two do a lot of serving, and Edwin can’t wait until he is old enough to serve,” Jo says. “I enjoy seeing them serve. I loved serving when I was a kid. It’s good to see them involved.”

It gives Jo and Austin so much pride to see their children involved in the sacrifice of the Mass. They appreciate that Jillian and Russell are setting an example for their younger siblings. Jo and Austin also love to hear everything the kids are learning at Faith Formation.

“They get a lot out of it,” Jo says. “They have a lot to talk about when they are done. We can have more adult conversations with them.”

Austin was raised Lutheran in Murdock, and Jo was raised Catholic in Columbia Heights. Jo spent her childhood surrounded by many Catholics, so she admits it was a bit of a shock coming to Montevideo, where there are so many more Lutherans. A health teacher at Montevideo schools, Jo loves living here and raising her kids in this community. In 2005, she first moved to Montevideo, where Austin lived and worked as a crop consultant. The two were set up by a friend — recognizing they were maybe some of the only young single people in town. Austin also farms in rural Murdock, along with working for Centrol Crop Consulting.

At St. Joseph’s, Jo teaches Faith Formation for second-graders, which she enjoys as she is preparing them for the sacraments. She is also a member of the Moms’ Group, and the family also serves as gift bearers.

As part of St. Joseph’s and the Holy Family Area Catholic Community, Jo is thankful for the opportunity to get to know people from the other parishes. It’s like an extended family. As she reflects on her years as a mother, she can list countless blessings that have come her way.

“I love seeing my kids grow and develop in every aspect of their lives,” she says. “I love seeing them excited to go to Mass, discussing religious things with them, seeing them learn, and seeing them do things that they love. There is a lot to love about being a mom.”

The Magnuson family