Archbishop Flynn  appointed me as pastor of Saint Ambrose effective October 1, 2002. I'm excited about the possibilities that the Holy Spirit has in store for us in the years ahead.

I grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota. My parents, Neal and Mary Grace, had 12 children, and I have 15 nieces and nephews. Family is very important to me. About the time I entered high school, I had a strong sense of a calling to the priesthood, but I also knew I needed some more time before I was ready to answer that call. God was patient with me as that took a number of years. I graduated from St. John's in Collegeville with a B.A. in mathematics, and then I moved on to the University of Michigan Law School and received my J.D. in 1981. I practiced law for five years and most of that time was spent at a small firm in Blaine.

In 1986 I finally responded fully to that call to the priesthood and entered the St. Paul Seminary. After ordination in 1990, I served for two years with Bishop Pates helping the parishes of St. Kevin and Resurrection become one community of faith, Our Lady of Peace. I then served for a little over two years at St. Tim's in Blaine. For 7 1/2 years I served as pastor of St. Joe's in Red Wing. One of my greatest joys is celebrating the Eucharist with children. I'm eager to have the chance to hear your stories. Let us pray together for hearts open to all the good things God has in store for us in the years ahead.