As announcements are being made across the Green Bay Diocese of priestly appointments made by Bishop David Ricken, I join Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. in announcing a change in Norbertine assignment for our dear friend, and my Confrere, Father Seamus Neilson, O. Praem. After twenty-nine years of incredibly dedicated service to Saint Norbert College, Father Seamus will leave SNC to join the staff at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality, where he will be engaged in directing retreats and will offer a variety of programs for parishes and area educational 

apostolates, serving as a trusted and creative resource to assist the Faithful with any number of topics pertinent to life in the Church from historical, temporary, artistic and sacramental perspectives.  Father Seamus will also serve as a most-trusted aid in Sacramental Assistance to us here at Our Lady of Lourdes.  

Let me explain what this does not mean:  Father Seamus has not been appointed “associate pastor” of Our Lady of Lourdes!  While serving in full-time ministry elsewhere, Father Seamus will be the available “front man” to assist us here at Lourdes when I need to get away for Board of Trustee engagements here in De Pere and in Chicago.  He will fill in for me when I feel a need to get away for an annual retreat or days off; and, perhaps most importantly, he will serve here when I think you might need a little break from me!  I am acutely aware that many of you have very positive memories of Father Seamus’ ministry to us in the past—in fact, many of our young parishioners have been baptized by him!  But for those unfamiliar with him, I can guarantee you, all will receive him incredibly well.  I am overjoyed that the Order would send a man of his intellect, of his goodness, of his integrity, of his zealous priestly spirit, of his joyfulness, to complement the ministry already taking place here at Lourdes.  I could not be happier to welcome Father Seamus to the apostolate which was so life-giving for us for so many years!

 

Father Seamus and I have always had a similar work ethic; neither of us are ones to go away on vacations or sit back idly by.  While we admire those who do so to recharge batteries in such healthy ways, the two of us are simply wound a bit differently.  We love the work entrusted to our care, we love priestly ministry, we are energized by the People of God, and we’ve also been a great resource to each other in ecclesial pursuits of common interest.  In fact, when I served as Prior, no one was more supportive of my work than Father Seamus; and for that, I am most grateful and blessed! 

Being engaged in priestly ministry at a parish of our size can be a very demanding and daunting task!  Father Seamus’ occasional presence here at Lourdes will hopefully allow me to take a day or two away without the worry of being “called back” to attend to so many unexpected issues that inevitably arise in parish life.  Knowing that our parish will soon begin the diocesan “one by One” fundraising campaign that has been required of all parishes in the diocese, his presence will allow me to give an appropriate amount of time to any number of administrative issues that need to be addressed here at the parish .  Such issues are often put on hold as I have made ministry to the sick, dying and bereaved an absolute priority. So often I am trying my best to simply “catch up” with the pastoral and sacramental needs here.  As such, I am glad that Father Seamus will assist me in sacramental ministry; albeit, in a very limited way, given the other demands of his other formal full-time appointment elsewhere. 

 Please join me in welcoming Father Seamus Neilson, O. Praem. to Our Lady of Lourdes!  His presence among us is just one more of the many blessings that makes Life at Lourdes such an incredible joy -- experienced by so many at our vibrant and quickly growing parish!

Yours in Our Lady and in Saint Norbert,

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

Pastor