Priests, brothers receive new assignments
Several priests, deacons and brothers have received new appointments.
Father Albert Backmann was named director of retired clergy on Sept. 1. Father Backmann, who was ordained in 1999 and retired in July, had served on the faculty at St. John Vianney College Seminary since 2009. Previously, he served at St. Bridget of Sweden in Lindstrom, Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights and St. John Neumann in Eagan.
Father Peter Laird will continue to serve as vicar general and moderator of the curia while serving as temporary administrator of St. Jude of the Lake in Mahtomedi (Town of Lincoln), to which he was appointed Sept. 9. After his ordination in 1997, Father Laird served at St. Olaf in Minneapolis and on the faculty at the St. Paul Seminary. He replaces Father Kevin Magner, who resigned as pastor of St. Jude. After his ordination in 2003, Father Magner served at Our Lady of Grace in Edina, St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony, St. John the Evangelist in Hopkins, St. Anne in Hamel and as canonical administrator of Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster.
Father Stephan Kappler, from the Diocese of Oakland, Calif., was appointed Sept. 15 as assistant priest at Risen Savior in Burnsville. He is offering the Spanish Mass at the parish on three weekends each month.
Franciscan Father Thomas Merrill was named assistant priest for St. Mark and St. Mary, both of Shakopee, and St. Mary of the Purification in Marystown, effective Oct. 1. He previously has served as pastor at Assumption in Richfield and at Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul. He will reside at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Prior Lake.
Deacon Timothy Harrer, who was ordained a permanent deacon in 2000, was named to serve as deacon at St. Mary of the Lake in Plymouth (Medicine Lake), beginning Oct. 1. He most recently served at St. Joseph in Waconia.
On Oct. 1, Father Mark Joseph Niehaus, ISP, was given the authority to minister in the archdiocese. He was assigned to the Schoenstatt Young Men’s Ministry in Waukesha, Wis., by the Schoenstatt Institute of Secular Priests.
Dominican Father Brian Walker, who has been residing at St. Albert the Great Priory, was reassigned to Chicago.
Dominican Brother Raymond Bryce will serve a pastoral year with Dominican Father James Spahn, pastor of Holy Rosary in Minneapolis.
Immaculate Conception Brother Pascal Atanga is in residence at St. Mary in St. Paul while he completes his medical licensing examinations.
OFFICIAL
Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Effective September 1, 2011
Appointed Rev. Albert Backmann as Director of Retired Clergy.
Effective September 9, 2011
Accepted the resignation of Rev. Kevin Magner from the pastoral care of the Church of Saint Jude of the Lake in the Town of Lincoln.
Appointed Father Peter A. Laird, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, as temporary parochial administrator of the Church of Saint Jude of the Lake.
Effective September 15, 2011
Appointed Father Stephan Kappler (Diocese of Oakland), as assistant priest of the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville. Father Kappler will be offering the Spanish Mass at the parish on three weekends each month.
Effective October 1, 2011
Appointed Rev. Thomas Merrill, OFM Conv., as associate priest of the Church of Saint Mark of Shakopee, the Church of Saint Mary of Shakopee, and the Church of Saint Mary of the Purification of Marystown. Father Merrill will be in residence at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Prior Lake.
Appointed Deacon Timothy Harrer to exercise the ministry of a permanent deacon at the Church of Saint Mary of the Lake of Medicine Lake, Minnesota. This is a transfer from his assignment at the Church of Saint Joseph of Waconia.
Granted the faculties of the Archdiocese to Rev. Mark Joseph Niehaus, ISP, who has been assigned to the Schoenstatt Young Men’s Ministry in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Departures
Rev. Brian Guadalupe Walker, OP, formerly of Saint Albert the Great Priory, reassigned to Chicago.
Arrivals
Brother Raymond (Steven) Bryce, OP, serving a pastoral year under the tutelage of Rev. James Spahn, OP, Pastor of Holy Rosary in Minneapolis.
Brother Pascal Atanga, CFIC, in residence at the Church of Saint Mary in Saint Paul while completing his medical licensing examinations.
