Above the main entrance to the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul are the words, “Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing.” This historic building, built in 1939, served for decades as the global headquarters for 3M. Unused for years, the building eventually became the temporary and now permanent home for the offices of the archbishop and his staff.
The archbishop graciously accepted my resignation as a vicar general, effective Dec. 31, 2024. I have been asked to write this column on the past 11 years of my ministry in this office, which included vicar general (2013-2024) and moderator of the curia (2013-2021). Oh, and in 700 words or less!
As my final reflection in this privileged column, it is for me a fitting metaphor that “mining the ore” is to discover in the past a deeper understanding of events that teach new lessons for the present and for the future. I could write a book, but I do not need to since The Catholic Spirit has maintained, throughout my diocesan service, the archdiocese’s commitment to transparency on the clergy sex abuse crisis, disclosures, open processes for resolution, options for restitution and reform. The coverage by The Catholic Spirit was extensive on pre-bankruptcy filings, the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy itself and the way forward to rebuild with grace. We are part of a healing Church which still works to restore trust among the parishioners, pastors and clergy, and the broader community.
But there are ways to sort through my memories with a singular intent — to discover the marvelous ways that God’s providential grace along with the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the communion of saints, gave this archdiocese every gift to meet every need. God called and sent the right people with the right gifts at the right time to do the right thing. I have a hill of memories that when cut away, shows the strata of stories that were the heartfelt deposits of painful experiences. Stories that brought to the light that which was buried in darkness. No matter how tragic the troubles, faith is actually strengthened by perseverance.
A pile of ordinary-looking rocks, when heated by fire, produces molten metal. This is the value of an intentional reflection on the past. It is not simple nostalgia or a revisiting of upsetting events. Rather it is a way of looking again, not just looking back. This is the origin of the word, respect — to look again with the eyes of faith. The Church calls us to make saints, not demons. A retrospective view is to see God anew, not a new enemy. There is an inviolable goodness in everyone. As a path for spiritual growth, the goal of looking at the past is for the good of the soul. This can be the forge from which the metals come for rebuilding. By this introspective work, even the slag of scandal has value. For it can be used as concrete to fortify safe environments for our children and youth. Slag can even be used to produce beautifully colored glass as a renewed vision.
In the pile of memories are also the valuable gems not made merely by the forge of human efforts. These are God’s gifts reflecting the treasures of heaven that are already here. These too must be mined before they are fully discovered. Rubies of self-sacrifice, sapphires of professional brilliance, emeralds of service reflecting the many ways ordinary people, by the grace of God, accomplish extraordinary things. Under the most extreme pressure, diamonds are made, even if they prefer to remain in the rough and would be mortified by my polishing words.
Most of all, I take to heart with humble gratitude the many prayers offered for me by people known and unknown. I have grown in my relationship with Jesus Christ, grown in my priesthood and grown in my profound belief in the goodness of people. I will always remember those with whom I worked: the courageous bishops, the dedicated staff and an array of lay leaders and clergy who gave their best for the good of the Church during the most difficult of times.
Whenever I look back over the last 11 years to mine the ore with that graced second look, the prayers of others have been, for me, veins of gold.
