Changing of the Guard: New Appointments in the Archdiocese

.
On May 2, his first official day as leader of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Min­ne­apolis, Archbishop John Nien­stedt named Father Lee Piché as vicar general and moderator of the curia, replacing Father Kevin McDonough, who has served in the Chancery since 1984.

Father Piché, who has been serving at All Saints in Lakeville, was also named pastor of St. Andrew in St. Paul.

Father McDonough now will serve the archdiocese as Office for Pro­tec­tion of Children and Youth Ini­tia­tive director. He also was named pastor of Sagrado Corazón de Jesus in Min­nea­polis, while continuing to serve as pastor of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul.

In addition, Archbishop Nienstedt named:

Father Erich Rutten as chair of the Commission on Ecumenism and In­ter­religious Affairs, replacing Father Piché. Father Rutten will continue to serve as campus ministry director at the Uni­versity of St. Thomas.

Father Eugene Tiffany will serve as director of the Office of Priestly Life and Ministry, while he continues to serve as pastor of Holy Spirit in St. Paul.

Father Francis Kittock, who is retired from full-time ministry, was named assistant director of the Office of Priestly Life and Ministry.

Father Terry Beeson was named associate pastor of Holy Spirit in St. Paul. He has been serving at St. Stephen in Anoka since his 2005 ordination. All these appointments are effective June 16.

Archbishop Harry Flynn made the following three official appointments before his May 2 retirement.

Father Donald Piché was named co-pastor of St. Joseph the Worker in Maple Grove, effective immediately. Father Piché has served as pastor at St. Joseph in New Hope, at the archdiocesan mission parish, Jesucristo Resucitado in Venezuela, as the Minneapolis Catholic Youth Center director and as associate pastor at Guardian Angels in Oakdale and St. Raphael in Crystal.

Father Thomas O'Brien was named pastor of Visitation in Minneapolis, effective May 1. Father O'Brien previously served as sacramental minister at Visitation. He was incardinated in­to the archdiocese April 18, 2008.

Father David Ostrowski was named pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka, effective June 30. He previously served as pastor of Holy Cross in Minneapolis and as an associate pastor of St. Louis King of France and St. Bernard, both in St. Paul.

In addition, newly ordained Father Fernando Ortega, who was named to serve as associate pastor at Divine Mercy in Faribault, was also assigned to St. Michael in Ken­yon and St. Patrick in Shieldsville. Catholic Spirit