In a rare occurrence, Father John Ubel, the rector at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul for the past 12 years, is returning to St. Agnes in St. Paul as Father Joseph Johnson has been reassigned back to Cathedral of St. Paul for a second time as the rector.
“Father Ubel and I were both joking about it, and I’m going to quote him and throw him under the bus,” Father Johnson said. “He (Father Ubel) said everyone in the diocese is going to think that the assignment board had no imagination this year. Both of us back to former assignments.”
Father Johnson told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley during an interview airing at 9 p.m. Aug. 16 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM that he is not the first priest to return to the Cathedral of St. Paul for a second role. Father Johnson explained that Msgr. Augustine Ravoux, the second rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul, did two separate stints as rector.
“I can only hope that he is interceding from the communion of saints as I begin my second time as rector,” Father Johnson said.
When asked by Archbishop Bernard Hebda to return to the Cathedral as its rector, Father Johnson thought about how much he loved being where he was at Holy Family in St. Louis Park.
“Longevity is important for pastors,” Father Johnson said. “Sometimes certain bishops have an idea of moving people a lot, but really it’s only as you spend time that you get to know your people and exercise spiritual fatherhood. When you’re changing assignments all the time, it’s not good for the priest, it’s not good for the people. You become more of a sacramental vending machine rather than a spiritual father.”
However, Father Johnson recognized that his 12 years at Holy Family provided him the opportunity to spiritually walk with many children into their adulthood. Now that he’s returning to the Cathedral, many children that Father Johnson baptized right before leaving for Holy Family are ready for their confirmation.
“You have that beautiful ability to connect with the people that are around you,” Father Johnson said. “I was peaceful when the archbishop asked because … this is obviously what God wants. When I was here before, I had done a lot of study about what the Cathedral as a building needed and I’ve made sure to leave copious reports about the physical condition. The Cathedral needs massive restoration. I left those and I was completely peaceful like ‘I’ve done my job and one of my successors will be able to pick this up when the time is right and run with it to actually put the building back into great shape.’ I had no idea that I would be my own successor, and I would be dusting off my own reports and looking at what needs to be done.”
To hear more from Father Johnson about becoming his own successor at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. Aug. 17 and 2 p.m. Aug. 18.
The program also includes a discussion with Deacon Dan Gannon as he talks about the Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation. Also, Bishop Izen talks back-to-school time and the importance of Catholic education.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program can also be heard after it has aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
