New Clergy Assignments

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
May the grace and peace of our Eucharistic Lord be with all of you on this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
 
At last weekend’s Masses we announced two clergy assignments from Archbishop Bernard Hebda:
 
First, we are excited to welcome the newly ordained (as of one week!) Fr. William Duffert (pictured) as our new parochial vicar here at Nativity of Our Lord, effective this Wednesday, June 9. 

He’ll be moving in that day and we’ll be happy to put him right to work right away! Please greet him when you see him on campus and join me in welcoming him to our parish community.
 
Stay tuned for a full introduction, including our customary bulletin article straight from the source himself. In the meantime, check out the current issue of The Catholic Spirit, where you can learn more about Fr. Bill.
 
On a more bittersweet note, our current parochial vicar, Fr. Nick Hagen, has been appointed parochial administrator to St. Raphael's Catholic Church and School in Crystal beginning July 1.

This means he will be leading his first parish and, God willing, appointed pastor there in about a year’s time.
 

• From the Archives  | "A Priest by Any Other Name: Fr. John offers a brief overview of the different positions priests serve within the local Church"

 
Please join me in congratulating Fr. Nick and thanking him for his outstanding service to our parish over the past three years. 

In particular, all are invited to a Donut Sunday in his honor the morning of June 20, courtesy of the Men’s Club. Weather permitting, join us for a reception outside following the 8:15am and 11am Masses to give Fr. Nick a proper send-off on his last official day at Nativity.
 
And yes, this means there will be three of us priests living at the parish rectory (frat house?) over the next few weeks!
 
A common traditional prayer hangs in the hallway area in between the sacristy and sanctuary in the church which reads, “Priest of God: pray this Mass as if it’s your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.” 

This Corpus Christi Sunday, I invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist as if it’s your first Communion, your last Communion, your only Communion. 
 
And may God bless your week.
Fr. Patrick Hipwell, pastor

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A version of this article is published in the June 6, 2021 parish bulletin.