Companions go on mission to serve in Bemidji, MN
This past year Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston made an appeal to Archbishop Hebda to send a few priests on a temporary basis to help see to the needs of the people of northern Minnesota. Archbishop Hebda responded to the request by inquiring among the priests of The Companions of Christ. We discerned with the guidance of Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens to send three of our members; Fr. David Blume, Fr. Tom Niehaus, and Fr. Josh Salonek. Click on their names to find out a little bit more about them!
You can read Archbishop Hebda's announcement here and Bishop Cozzens' announcement here.
In 31 years as a community, The Companions of Christ has drawn men from all over the country to serve as priests of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In fact, 13 out of our 32 current members grew up outside the Archdiocese. Just as these men felt called to leave their homes to live as Companions and be priests of the Archdiocese, so too did we as a community feel called to send some of us from our home to help another diocese.
Read below Fr. David Blume, Fr. Tom Niehaus, and Fr. Josh Salonek's thoughts on their new assignment.
"I was recently asked if I was excited for this mission opportunity. I responded that this has not been marked by “excitement” but rather, by peace. I believe the Lord is in this and he has given me peace to say “yes.” Excitement can come and go, but the peace of Christ endures. That is far more important. I didn’t see this coming. God is full of surprises! I look forward to meeting the people of God and ministering in the Crookston diocese." - Fr. David Blume
"What a joy and a blessing to be assigned to serve the people of St. Philip Catholic Church & School in Bemidji, MN, the students & community at Bemidji State University and those at St. Charles Mission- Pennington, MN. I am excited to meet the people of the Bemidji area and eager to embrace the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ to all!" - Fr. Tom Niehaus
"I am excited to go up to the Diocese of Crookston for this unique opportunity. It reminds me of the excitement I had with NET Ministries right after I graduated high school. Although I will certainly miss the people of St. John Neumann and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on this temporary leave, I am looking forward to getting to know the people of St. Phillip's. Please pray for me." - Fr. Josh Salonek
You can read Archbishop Hebda's announcement here and Bishop Cozzens' announcement here.
In 31 years as a community, The Companions of Christ has drawn men from all over the country to serve as priests of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In fact, 13 out of our 32 current members grew up outside the Archdiocese. Just as these men felt called to leave their homes to live as Companions and be priests of the Archdiocese, so too did we as a community feel called to send some of us from our home to help another diocese.
Read below Fr. David Blume, Fr. Tom Niehaus, and Fr. Josh Salonek's thoughts on their new assignment.
"I was recently asked if I was excited for this mission opportunity. I responded that this has not been marked by “excitement” but rather, by peace. I believe the Lord is in this and he has given me peace to say “yes.” Excitement can come and go, but the peace of Christ endures. That is far more important. I didn’t see this coming. God is full of surprises! I look forward to meeting the people of God and ministering in the Crookston diocese." - Fr. David Blume
"What a joy and a blessing to be assigned to serve the people of St. Philip Catholic Church & School in Bemidji, MN, the students & community at Bemidji State University and those at St. Charles Mission- Pennington, MN. I am excited to meet the people of the Bemidji area and eager to embrace the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ to all!" - Fr. Tom Niehaus
"I am excited to go up to the Diocese of Crookston for this unique opportunity. It reminds me of the excitement I had with NET Ministries right after I graduated high school. Although I will certainly miss the people of St. John Neumann and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on this temporary leave, I am looking forward to getting to know the people of St. Phillip's. Please pray for me." - Fr. Josh Salonek