Soon to be priests for the Archdiocese

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Originally Published May 28, 2010
2010 priest ordinations - Meet your new priests

Archbishop John Nienstedt will ordain seven men to the priesthood on Saturday, May 29. The ordination Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul. All are invited.

This year’s ordinands range in age from 26 to 41. Some have been in seminary since college, others have worked in business, engineering and media. The men — Deacons Alex Carlson, Patrick Barnes, Erik Lundgren, Doug Pierce, Nathaniel Meyers and Joe Bambenek — will serve in parishes in the archdiocese. Archbishop Nienstedt will give them their assignments just days before the ordination.

In the links below, The Catholic Spirit offers you an opportunity to become acquainted with the archdiocese’s newest priests through their vocation stories, personal interests and hopes for their priesthood.

Please pray for these men as they begin their priestly service to God and the church.

From left, Deacons Alex Carlson, Patrick Barnes, Paul Kubista, Erik Lundgren, Doug Pierce, Nathaniel Meyers and Joe Bambenek stand in the grotto near the St. Paul Seminary. The seven men will be ordained to the priesthood at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 29, at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Photo by Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

Deacon Alex Carlson - Second-grade promise proves to be true vocation
Rev. Alex Carlson, associate priest at Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids.

Deacon Nate Meyers - John Paul II inspired Meyers to consider priesthood
Rev. Nathaniel Meyers, associate priest at St. Michael in St. Michael.

Deacon Doug Pierce - Convert looks forward to serving God in unique way
Rev. Douglas Pierce, associate priest at St. Odilia, Shoreview, and chaplain at Totino-Grace High School, Fridley.

Deacon Patrick Barnes - Adoration, prayer and priestly advice led Barnes to SPS
Rev. Patrick Barnes, associate priest at ST. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony.

Deacon Paul Kubista - Kubista leaves engineering, farming to pursue vocation
Rev. Paul Kubista, associate priest at St. John the Baptist, Vermillion; St. Mathias, Hampton; and St. Mary, New Trier.

Deacon Erik Lundgren - Path to priesthood brings Lundgren great happiness
Rev. Erik Lundgren, associate priest at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Fari­bault, St. Patrick in Shieldsville and St. Michael in Kenyon.

Deacon Joe Bambenek - For Bambenek, priesthood 'happens in God's time'
Rev. Joseph Bambenek, associate priest at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul.

Widowed deacons, engineer, video game developer among 2010 ordinands

Catholic Spirit