Three Priests and Three Deacons: A Time for Ordinations in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester

God has blessed the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in recent weeks with ordinations to the transitional diaconate and priesthood. On Saturday, May 25, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, Jordan Danielson, Benjamin Peters and Timothy Welch were ordained deacons, and began their year of diaconal service on May 26.

Rev. Mr. Jordan Danielson will serve at Holy Spirit Parish in Rochester through the coming school year; Rev. Mr. Benjamin Peters at Pax Christi Parish in Rochester and Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Mazeppa; and Rev. Mr. Timothy Welch at St. Mary Parish in Chatfield, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Canton and St. Columban Parish in Preston. God willing, these transitional deacons will be ordained priests next summer.

On Saturday, June 8, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona, Deacons Joshua Miller, Brian Klein and Nicholas Gawarecki joined the ranks of priests of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Most Rev. Robert Barron, the celebrant of the Mass, was joined by concelebrating bishops Most Rev. Joseph Coffey, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA; Most Rev. Christopher Cooke, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester; as well as principal concelebrants Very Rev. William Thompson, Vicar General & Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester; and Rev. Jason Kern, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Also concelebrating were priests of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and visiting priests.

Rev. Nicholas Gawarecki, a Rochester native from the home parish of Pax Christi, has been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. John Vianney Parish in Fairmont, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Blue Earth, and Holy Family Parish in East Chain, effective June 9, 2024.

Rev. Brian Klein, a Wells native from the home parish of St. Casimir, has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Resurrection Parish in Rochester and Priest Chaplain at Lourdes High School in Rochester, effective June 9, 2024.

Rev. Joshua Miller, a Waseca native from the home parish of Sacred Heart, has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Owatonna, effective June 9, 2024.

Praise God!

L to R: Rev. Mr. Jordan Danielson, Rev. Mr. Benjamin Peters, Rev. Mr. Timothy Welch, Most Rev. Robert Barron, Rev. Joshua Miller, Rev. Brian Klein and Rev. Nicholas Gawarecki in the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Winona, after the June 8 presbyteral ordination.