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Our New Pastor, Father
Christopher T. Wenthe
Part I
How
ironic! Your former pastor becomes my pastor then predecessor in
less than six month's time. For awhile I suspected a transfer
from Stillwater, but didn’t know when or where. Well, now I
do! And if half the praises bestowed by Fr. Miller about
the parishes in Delano are true, it appears I’ve received a
wonderful assignment. Much gratitude to God and to the
Archbishop for their confidence in me.
While
graying and thinning hair suggest I’ve been ordained forever, it
hasn’t been that long. Before succumbing to God’s incessant
prods, I worked as an Electrical Engineer for nine years. About
midway through that career, He began calling and didn’t quit until
Archbishop Flynn ordained me May 31, 2003. Since then I’ve
worked at Nativity in St. Paul, St. Michael’s in Pine
Island and St. Paul’s in Zumbrota, and at St. Mary’s and
St. Michael’s in Stillwater. Varied experience at each of
these makes me confident to become your pastor at St.
Peter’s and St.
Joseph’s in Delano.
Weekly
school Masses, classroom visits, regular school confessions and
manning St. Croix Catholic School’s front door for the last 2 ½
years has given me a great appreciation for the value of Catholic
education. I’m excited that Delano has a small, but vibrant
school. Small size shouldn’t discourage any of us. After
all, Jesus began with just 12 disciples. It should be the
mission of every Catholic community to consider catechizing children
as one of their primary missions.
Upon
his arrival in Stillwater, Fr. Miller began reminiscing about his
former pastorate. At one point he showed a copy of Delano’s
local paper highlighting two residents proudly displaying trophy deer.
He knew of my avid love of the outdoors and constant pursuit of fish
and game. Last fall the Pioneer Press carried a short
article about a Stillwater priest who shot a nice buck just north of
town. I happened to be at the right place at the right
time. A friend of mine issues burn permits for Washington
County. When Chris Niskanen, the Outdoor Editor of the St.
Paul Pioneer Press came to get a permit, he noticed my deer.
My friend said to Mr. Niskanen, “I’d like you to meet Fr. Wenthe.”
Chris casually and naturally took out his pad and paper: “So, how do
you spell Wenthe?” Needless to say, I’m certain the
wonderful country surrounding Delano will suit my love of the outdoors just
fine!
This short introduction is just that. You’ll get to know me better after my arrival and over the next few years. I look forward to knowing each of you too! Please pray for me (I mean that!) as I’ve been praying for you. We need each other to get to heaven. With Christ as our Shepherd, let us build God’s Kingdom.
Part II
Though still tripping over boxes in the rectory and office, I’ve maintaining enough order to find my way around St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s to pray and celebrate Mass. So far, worship in Delano has been a distinct privilege. Both churches are beautifully decorated and carefully maintained and I find prayer both natural and sublime. Most parishioners appear to take their Catholic Faith very seriously, which is a great grace to me and the community at large. I’m grateful to my predecessor, Fr. Miller, for sowing many seeds of faith and to the people for cultivating fertile soil. I’d like to thank in a particular way those who worked tirelessly to keep the faith strong during the absence of a fulltime pastor. We are fortunate to have a committed, tenacious staff and dedicated volunteers whom God has chosen to serve the people of Delano.
Many have asked about my history: where I grew up, my education, etc. Except for time in Madison, WI where I studied Electrical Engineering at the University, I’ve live in Minnesota my entire life. I’m the product of Catholic schools, attending eight years at Annunciation in South Minneapolis, my place of origin, and De La Salle High School on Nicolette Island. Our neighborhood afforded a great deal of opportunity for recreation with a number of park boards, Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek. I dabbled in a few sports but baseball was my passion, playing on two teams in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. After a broken foot just before starting High School, however, I turned my attention to work and hunting deer, ducks, and pheasants primarily. I returned to sports my senior year with Cross Country and Baseball. I distinctly recall running during a meet here. At the time it seemed Delano was so far away. Now, the drive to Minneapolis feels like nothing, especially with the completion of the new section of Hwy 12.
My interest in hunting and fishing developed because of my father and best friend. Every spring Dad would take my two brothers and I to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area or Canada fishing and camping. He also loved to hunt deer, which gave me another excuse to take time off school. My friend and his dad included me on a few bird hunts piquing my interest in wing shooting. Now, I find the challenge and serenity of bow hunting a good hobby to relax and meditate.
My vocation story is somewhat convoluted. Priesthood was not part of my plan and except for a two week period in 8th grade, I never even thought about it. I fully expected to follow in my dad’s footsteps of designing circuits. I hoped to retire by the age of 45. I don’t think I’m going to make it! After working for six years, the thought of becoming a priest hit my like a train and I couldn’t shake it from my head. A few years of discernment helped to hone the idea that God could really be asking me to do this. Something said deep within that if I don’t try, I will think about it until I died. I shuddered at the idea of looking back at the twilight of my life wondering “what if?”. So, after a short career in engineering I entered seminary and six years later received the sacrament of Holy Orders.
As I noted at my installation Masses, I look forward to becoming more acclimated to Delano and familiar with parishioners. I’ll need help with names so please be patient. In short order it I believe it will seem natural that I’m here.
Do you take God to work or school today?
Delano Catholic Community is consists of St Joseph and St Peter churches which were merged together in 1989 by Archbishop John Roach. Delano is a rural/suburb town located 25 miles west of Minneapolis, MN.
Question: An e-mail address where we could ask questions, request baptismal certificates etc?
Answer: E-mail address: cheryl@delanocatholic.com
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
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Revised: June 05, 2009
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