Earthshaking on Summit Avenue

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Exciting new developments at Chancery
That They May All Be One
Archbishop John C. Nienstedt

With this column, I am announcing some exciting new developments at the archdiocesan Chancery.

I have assigned Father Kevin McDonough as pastor of the Church of the Incarnation/Sagrado Corazón in Minneapolis, along with continuing pastoral care for the Church of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul.

At the same time, I have appointed Father Lee Piché, presently pastor of the Church of All Saints in Lakeville, as moderator of the curia, vicar general and pastor of the Church of St. Andrew in St. Paul.

These assignments are effective June 15, 2008.

Dedicated ministry

Father McDonough began his service to the Chancery in 1984 as vice chancellor. For 24 years, he has dedicated his ministry to both Archbishop John Roach and Archbishop Harry Flynn, fulfilling most effectively the roles of chancellor, rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary, episcopal vicar for canonical affairs, vicar general and moderator of the curia.

In those capacities, he has served on countless committees and boards for the archdiocese, the Minnesota Cath­olic Conference and the State Capitol.

Moreover, he has since 1990 served the people of the Church of St. Peter Claver, first as an administrator and then as pastor. The fondness with which he holds those parishioners is reciprocated by them many times over.

I am especially grateful to Father for the assistance he has given me since my reception last June. I am further indebted to him for his willingness to serve as my delegate for matters pertaining to sexual misconduct on the part of clergy. I hope that we will have an occasion in the near future for the clergy, religious and laity to express their own thanks to Father for his outstanding service these many years.

Father Piché has served at All Saints parish since January 2005. He has also served as chair of the Archdiocesan Commission on Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs since March 2000 and was elected last fall as executive director of the Presbyteral Council by his peers.

Previously, he was pastor of the Church of St. Joseph in West St. Paul from 1999 to 2005. He has taught on the faculty of the University of St. Thomas, as well as at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights.

He was ordained a priest for this archdiocese in 1984, and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at the Church of St. Mark in St. Paul.

I am so very grateful to Father Piché for being willing to give up a parish community he loves so dearly to come and help me shepherd this wonderful archdiocese.

Other appointments

The Presbyteral Council has been asking for a new Archdiocesan Office of Life and Ministry of Priests. Nothing is more important to me than the life and ministry of our priests. They function as my right arm!

Not wanting to remove a pastor from his parish to accomplish this important work, I have asked Father Eugene Tiffany to work half time at this ministry, while continuing his pastoral responsibilities at the Church of the Holy Spirit in St. Paul.

I have also asked Father Francis Kittock to assist Father Tiffany in overseeing the new pastors in their transition. I am grateful to both these priests for agreeing to serve in these roles.

Eventually, I would like to see this new office affiliated more closely with St. Paul Seminary as well as our archdiocesan offices for deacons and vocations. Catholic Spirit