Now is a good time to celebrate priests’ ordination anniversaries
Three priests will celebrate their ordination anniversaries this weekend, June 25-26.
Franciscan Father Conran Schneider will note 60 years as a priest with a Mass at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Guardian Angels in Chaska, where he previously served.
He was raised on a farm in Victoria and entered high school seminary when he was 13. He entered the Franciscan Province Novitiate in 1943 and was ordained a priest in 1951. As a Franciscan priest, he served across the country in parish ministry, taught in universities and worked as a hospital chaplain.
When he returned to the Twin Cities area, he moved to Chaska and began celebrating Mass and visiting the sick at Auburn Manor.
Father Paul Jarvis, pastor of Guardian Angels, said, “For me, Father Conran embodies the Franciscan order that served Christians in this area for over a century.”
Father Roger Hessian will celebrate his 50th anniversary as a priest with a thanksgiving Mass at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague. A reception will follow at the Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S., New Prague, from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Father Hessian, who was ordained in 1961, has served at St. Peter in North St. Paul, St. Rita in Cottage Grove, St. Leo the Great in St. Paul, Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Paul, St. Rose of Lima in Roseville, St. Joseph in Red Wing and St. Pius V in Cannon Falls.
Katie Sullivan, a great-niece of Father Hessian’s, said, “He has listened, consoled, inspired and brought the Body and Blood of Christ to thousands over the years.”
But, she added, he’s also a great athlete, sports fan and avid world traveler, who has served at a parish in Naples, Fla., the past several winters.
Author, counselor, missionary and fundraiser Father Bill Whittier was ordained for this archdiocese in 1961. He will celebrate his 50th jubilee with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 26, at St. Michael in Farmington, where he was raised.
He recently self-published “The Journey of a Priest,” about his inner journey and his healing ministry in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ireland, Philippines and India. After he retired from full-time ministry in 1999, he began to minister to the poor in India through an organization that provides recovery opportunities for alcoholics, addicts and those who are HIV-positive.
“India is the next AIDS time bomb waiting to explode,” Father Whittier told The Catholic Spirit in 2003.
For more information about Father Whittier, his books and his anniversary celebration, visit www.frbillwhittier.com.
Donald’s goes west
Donald’s uniform store in St. Paul will have a grand opening July 15 at its temporary store in Eden Prairie to better serve the western suburbs.
Donald’s West will be open from July 15 through Sept. 26 at 6407 City West Pkwy., Suite 104, in the Shady Oak Center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays in August and September.
Holy Angels president
Tom Shipley was named the new president of the Academy of Holy Angels High School in Richfield. He replaces Jill Reilly, who was to retire at the end of June. A longtime educator, Shipley most recently was director and senior executive vice president of Greenwoods State Bank in Wisconsin. However, Shipley said, his “true love is education,” so he is excited to begin serving at Holy Angels.
53 years at St. Rose
Patrick Maroney and Bernie Settem retired from teaching at St. Rose of Lima in Roseville, this year. Maroney has taught in archdiocesan schools for 40 years, the last 31 at St. Rose. Settem taught for 33 years in Catholic schools in Iowa and Minnesota, with the last 22 years at St. Rose.
New ‘archspm’ look
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has updated its website, www.archspm.org. Find out where to attend Mass on Rural Life Sunday, learn what you need to know about the new Roman Missal, read about strategic planning and more on the
easier-to-use site.
