By now you will have heard the news that Fr. Trevor and I are going to be transferred to new assignments this upcoming summer. As I had stated this weekend, I was neither expecting, nor asking for, a transfer. On July 1 we will begin our new positions at Our Lady of the Lakes parish in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes and Pine River. This happens to be currently a parish of three sites but one canonical parish. The plan for a long time has been to combine these parishes into one, but with two Churches. The Pine River site will remain. However, land had been purchased for a new Church to be built between the towns of Nisswa and Pequot Lakes. But no Church has yet been built, and they are out of room at their current locations. Since this is a growing area, it is critical that they get their building project under way.
Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Pine River are on Highway 371 just north of Brainerd. These parishes have provided three young priests to our diocese, with the most recent being ordained last year: Fr. Scott Padrnos. There is great potential there, with more people moving into the area as well. So, getting their house in order, so to speak, has become a critical issue for the bishop. I am one of very few priests in our diocese who has experience in building, from my first assignment at Holy Family where Fr. Andy and I built their whole new complex in our fair city, to St. Francis Church addition and School projects, to my last one that I was completing when called here: building a new church at All Saints in Baxter, MN. Building is one of those skills that you hope you never have to do again, but then end up doing because of your experience!
Bishop Felton has also asked me to keep my Diocesan position as Director of Ministry to Priests, which will mean a lot of travel back here to Duluth. So, Fr. Trevor will be coming with me to provide a great deal of needed help while I concentrate on raising funds, doing the building project, and continuing my Diocesan work. This will be the first time in living memory that they will have both a pastor and associate. Unfortunately, the housing situation is poor, so the bishop has announced the move very early to give the parish time to obtain a place for us to live. Finally, as I said on Sunday, the new rector here will be Fr. Seth Gogolin. I know him very well, and have great confidence in him and his abilities. Please pray for all of us as we head in to this transition period.
In Christ & Mary Immaculate,
Fr. Tony