I thought it would be helpful to reveal a bit about my past priestly history annd how I found my way now, to Cannon Falls.

ORDINATION DATE: Feb. 22, 1959

Pastoral Associate: St. Anne’s, No. Mpls, June 1959 – June 1964

Pastoral Associate: St. Mary of the Lake , White Bear Lake: June 1964 – June 1968

Pastoral Associate: (back to) St. Anne’s, No. Mpls, June 1968 – Feb 1971

Pastor: St. Paul’s, Zumbrota and St. Mary’s, Bellechester, Feb 1971-June 1974

Pastor: St. Columba, St. Paul, MN June 1974 – June 1981

Pastor: Most Holy Trinity, St. Louis Park, June 1981 – October 1993

Pastor: St. Michael , St. Michael, MN, October 1993 - July1992

Retired Pastor: St. Michael, St. Michael, MN, July 2002 – June 2005

My opportunity to move on back to “my roots” basically the New Trier area, came about in this fashion. St. Michael’s, increasing in number of families from 850 to over 1,700 over the past twelve years, became a good candidate for the receiving of an associate pastor. One of the fifteen recently ordained priests was chosen, Fr. Michael Rudolph. He also is a member of the various groups called the “Companions of Christ,” as is Fr. Jay Kythe, our new pastor here at St. Pius V.

Why did I choose Cannon Falls? Well, my two brothers, Fr. Martin and Fr. John now dwell in Hastings. I thought it wise to “spread out” a bit. I noted that Cannon Falls is actually closer to my home parish than Hastings. Likewise, I was aware that Fr. Kythe would also be the pastoral shepherd of St. Joseph’s in Miesville. That area brings back memories to me as well. I spent two of my vacation months, while in Seminary training, to help on a farm south of Miesville, the Eugene Schaffer farm.

After moving here to Cannon Falls, I was amazed to find so many of my relatives living here and it is and will be exciting to me to “re-connect” with so many of these first and second cousins.

I knew Fr. Roger Hessian quite well over the years. He actually was ordained with my brother, Fr. John, in 1961. So, during the years of our seminary life and on into the priesthood, he was very much a respected and loved friend. I was so grateful to see how the people of St. Pius offered him such kindness and gratitude at his farewell Mass and picnic party.

As I begin my time here, I pray that I can be of some help to Fr. Kythe and to the parishioners of St. Pius. As we priests who know some Latin, are accustomed to say to each other: “ Oremus pro invicem,” or, in English: “Let us pray for one another.”