I first met Fr. Bill Murtaugh at a deanery meeting in Richfield almost three years ago. At that time, I was a recently ordained deacon serving at the parishes in Richfield. I can’t remember the exact topic of discussion at this meeting, but I do remember that Fr. Bill and I agreed on it. Others remained more silent. The following day, the pastor in Richfield told me that Fr. Bill had spoken with him. The pastor told me that Fr. Bill thought I could possibly become the next pastor at Pax Christi. I was honored by the compliment but didn’t give it much more thought. Time went by; I was ordained and served my first year as a priest in Faribault.

At the beginning of each year, priests in The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis learn if they will stay where they serve or go somewhere else. One day in February, I received a phone call from the chancery. I was asked if I would be willing to transfer. I was told that two parishes in the Archdiocese needed a future pastor. I looked up the parishes and did some preliminary research. I realized that Pax Christi was a thriving parish. It seemed full of life and that the spirit of the council had not only reached the parish, but the parish was built on the fruits of Vatican II. Several activities on the parish website caught my attention. I then looked up to see who was the pastor. There he was: the man I had met three years earlier and hadn’t seen since then. The story came to mind, and I thought to myself, "There are 200 parishes in the Archdiocese – this can't be a coincidence!" 

After I accepted the position, I met with Fr. Bill at his office on a Saturday morning for coffee and some Scandinavian delights which Michelle Fox had baked. We had a pleasant conversation, and we still agreed on the topic. I was welcomed very warmly at Pax Christi even before I began: by parishioners who visited me in Faribault the day after the announcement of my position, at a meeting with our wonderful staff, and by Fr. Bill and Fr. Robert. I believe in first impressions. 

While each parish has a regular turnover of priests and pastors, it's the people who truly build the parish. Generation after generation, more experience is brought to each parish – experience in serving those in need and building a community where everyone can find their spiritual home. I'm looking forward to being of service and supporting the ongoing good work at Pax Christi. I am more than grateful to Fr. Bill. He hasn't truly left the parish, because all his good work still remains and continues to be built upon.