News Release #389

Bishop of New Ulm Catholic diocese announces official appointments

New Ulm - The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt has announced the following official appointments for the Diocese of New Ulm:

Pastoral Leaders

Effective June 29, 2005

Rev. Mr. Keith R. Salisbury assigned to Church of the Holy Redeemer in Marshall. This will be a temporary assignment for the summer months until returning to the Seminary on August 24, 2005.

Effective July 1, 2005

Rev. Michael M. Doyle appointed parochial administrator of the Church of St. John in Morton, while continuing as pastor of the Church of St. Catherine in Redwood Falls.

Rev. John A. Pearson appointed pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Lucan, while continuing as pastor of the Churches of St. Anne in Wabasso, St. Mary in Seaforth, and St. Mathias in Wanda.

Effective July 5, 2005

Rev. Mark S. Steffl appointed parochial vicar (associate pastor) of the Church of St. Mary in Bird Island. This will be a temporary assignment for the summer months until returning to Rome for a final academic year.

Rev. Craig A. Timmerman appointed parochial vicar (associate pastor) of the Church of St. Anne in Wabasso. This will be a temporary assignment for the summer months until returning to Rome for a final academic year.

Effective August 1, 204

Rev. Todd J. Petersen appointed pastor of the Church of St. Joseph in Henderson and the Church of St. Thomas in Jessenland while continuing as pastor of the Church of St. Brendan in Green Isle and the Church of St. John-Assumption in Faxon Township, and continuing as diocesan Director of Vocations.

Diocesan Staff:

Effective July 2, 2005

Michelle Flood to serve as Director of Tribunal and Safe Environment. Responsibilities will include coordination and direction of all Tribunal processes, facilitation of diocesan mediation and the further implementation of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Currently, she is completing studies for her Licentiate in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada and a MA in Canon Law at the University of Ottawa. Michelle holds a BA degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio. While an undergraduate, she studied Medieval and Renaissance Theology at Oxford University, Oxford, England.

Sr. Anna Marie Reha, a School Sister of Notre Dame, to serve as full-time Director of Hispanic Ministry. Her responsibilities include leadership and support for area and parish ministry with the Spanish speaking by offering training and in-servicing; direct the training and in-servicing of area and parish leadership in Hispanic ministry, catechesis, worship and outreach; and, coordinate Spanish language pastoral formation and catechesis. She will work directly with the Spanish speaking worship sites and collaborate with parishes as a resource person. Sister Reha holds a Masters of Divinity from the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX and a BA in Elementary Education from Mankato State University. Prior to her studies she was missioned to the Diocese of San Marcos, Guatemala serving as the pastoral administrator of Union de las Aldeas, Corpus Christi Parish. She also collaborated as Coordinator of the Vocation Ministry for that diocese.

For further information, please contact the diocesan Office of Communication, (507) 359-2966; email : dnu@dnu.org