17 July 2007

Where's Sr. Joan when you need her?


Not too long ago, three nearby parishes were combined into one: St. Gregory's, St. Therese's and St. Leo's. They combined to make Lumen Christi Catholic Community in what was St. Leo's. Millions of dollars were spent to expand the church. It is really nice inside, although the "worship spaces" leave much to be desired.

Now they are sans priest. Father Bauer, the former pastor, was assigned to the Bascilica. The parish now has no pastor, but a nun has been assigned in the interim. According to the Catholic Spirit:

Six priests have been given new or additional assignments by Archbishop Harry Flynn. He also appointed St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Frieda Kalenze as interim parish life administrator of Lumen Christi Catholic Community in St. Paul, beginning Monday, June 25. Sister Frieda most recently served as parish administrator at St. Peter in Mendota and St. Olaf in Minneapolis. She also has served her community in several positions on its administrative team.

I know there is another priest working at the parish, but how long can this parish function without a pastor?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Until September when the new pastor arrives.

swissmiss said...

Anon:
Thanks for the info. I asked several parishioners when they were getting a new priest and none of them knew...which I thought was odd. I guess September isn't too far away.

Anonymous said...

If she starts hearing confessions...run as fast as you can

swissmiss said...

I again talked to a parishioner of Lumen Christi and they heard this morning that they will be getting a priest in three weeks...at least that's the rumor they heard.

Anon:
I don't attend Lumen Christi, but know several folks that do. I drive a bit across town to St. Agnes where it's still safe to go to confession. LOL!

Anonymous said...

the new pastor announced to his current parish that he will be leaving for Lumen Christi in September. He's got vacation time coming and needs to get things in order at his current place (which will then be without a pastor). So, five weeks...

swissmiss said...

I guess the priest shortage is finally starting to affect everyone. Moving priests around sounds like a shell game.

Anonymous said...

well, look at the numbers:
18 priests from this arch retired this year
2 left for health/personal reasons
1 was made a bishop =
21 gone
7 ordained =
14 less priests than we had last year.

Currently there are 20 priests scheduled to retire next year. I don't know how many are in the "graduating class," but I'm betting it's not 34!

swissmiss said...

I don't envy Archbishops Flynn or Nienstedt. The seminary is doing a good job, but like you mentioned, it doesn't have the numbers to keep up. The Diocese of Superior owes us a priest now that they are getting Bishop-elect Christensen ;} May Our Lady provide us with more religious vocations.