On April 9, as I was returning to my parish in Helena to celebrate the Saturday Vigil of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, I received an incoming call from Washington DC. I answered the call and the caller identified himself as Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Pope Francis’ representative to the United States. He then asked me if I was alone and if I could talk. I indicated that I was alone but that I was driving. He insisted that I pull over and stop. He then informed me that Pope Francis had appointed me as the Coadjutor Bishop of the diocese next-door, the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings. I was totally unprepared for such news. He then asked if I would accept this appointment. I replied, “I humbly do so.”
I am excited to work and minister with Bishop Warfel, the priests, deacons, religious and laity of this Diocese. I look forward to getting to know you.
Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am a third generation Montanan. My grandparents and dad grew up in the Helena area. My mom’s family settled in Billings when she was in high school. I grew up in Belt, just 20 miles east of Great Falls. I received the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation at St. Mark’s Parish. At St. Mark’s, I was an altar server and in high school, I joined the parish’s music ministry. During my junior and senior years at Belt Valley High School, I began hearing a call to priesthood — but I wasn’t sure and wasn’t sure I wanted to hear that call.
After graduating high school, I enrolled at Carroll College in Helena. In my junior year, the call to priesthood was growing, and I knew that I needed to take the next step, so I reached out to Bishop Murphy, then the Bishop of Great Falls-Billings. After some discussion and with Bishop Murphy’s permission, Bishop Curtiss, the Bishop of Helena, accepted me as a seminarian for the Diocese of Helena.
After graduating from Carroll College, I entered Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon. After four years in the seminary, I was ordained a priest in 1992. I was first assigned as the Parochial Vicar to the Catholic Community in Anaconda. After four years, I was then assigned briefly to the Cathedral of St. Helena. My next assignment was to study Canon Law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where I earned a Licentiate of Canon Law. After returning to Montana, I was assigned as the Director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain at Carroll College in Helena. During those years at Carroll, I also served as the Priest Director of Legendary Lodge. In 2003, I became the Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Dillon, with its missions in Melrose and Lima. In 2006, I was assigned as the Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Missoula. Christ the King is the Newman Parish for the University of Montana. During my time in Missoula, I served as the Canonical Pastor for the Flint Creek Catholic Communities of Drummond and Phillipsburg. In 2012, I was also assigned as the Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Frenchtown with its missions in Alberton and Superior.
Almost 3 years ago, I began diocesan ministry at the Helena Chancery where I served as Director of Chancery Services/Moderator of Curia, Vice Chancellor and then Chancellor, and as Adjutant Judicial Vicar. My duties at the Chancery included a weekend assignment as Administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Helmville with St. Jude Mission in Lincoln. On March 1 of this year, I began ministry as the Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Helena.
All of these people and communities have truly formed me as a priest and now as your future bishop. I look forward to returning to the Diocese of Great Falls – Billings and working and ministering with Bishop Warfel and each of you. I am eager to get to know you, the people of Eastern Montana. It is good to be with you!
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