Celebrating Priestly Jubilees in the Diocese of Duluth, MN: The Curator among Others!

50 years 

Father William Fournier

Father William Fournier

Father William Fournier was ordained to the priesthood June 9, 1973, by Bishop Paul F. Anderson for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He attended high school in Illinois. He attended college at Our Lady of Ozarks, Carthage, Mo.; studied philosophy at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.; and theology at Gregorian University, Rome.

Ater ordination, Father Fournier served the West End Catholic Parishes before leaving the diocese in 1977. He returned to the Diocese of Duluth in 1992 and was incardinated to the diocese in 1994. He served at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Duluth; St. Lawrence, Duluth; St. Joseph, Duluth; St. John, Duluth; and St. Joseph, Gnesen. He left the Diocese of Duluth to serve in the Archdiocese of Anchorage. 

While in the Diocese of Duluth, Father Fournier also served as chaplain at the University of Minnesota Duluth, as director of communications, as auditor for the tribunal, and as a board member at St. Ann’s Residence. 

Father Fournier is retired. 

40 years 

Father John Petrich

Father John Petrich

Father John Petrich was ordained to the priesthood on September 10, 1983, by Bishop Robert H. Brom at St. Anthony in Ely. Father Petrich attended high school at Memorial Senior High in Ely and attended college at St. Thomas in St. Paul, studied philosophy at St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, and theology at St. John’s University in Collegeville. Father Petrich received degrees in advanced studies in clinical pastoral education at St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center, both in Duluth. 

Father Petrich served at Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth; Blessed Sacrament, Hibbing; St. Charles, Cass Lake; St. Anne, Bena; Sts. Mary and Joseph, Sawyer; St. Elizabeth, Duluth; St. Margaret Mary, Duluth; St. Mary Star of the Sea, Duluth; St. Peter, Duluth; and Our Lady of Mercy, Duluth. He currently serves as pastor of St. Joseph, Duluth, and chaplain for St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, and Duluth Police Department. Father Petrich also serves as chaplain for the Serra Club of Duluth. 

Father Petrich was recently recertified by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, granting permission of the national bishops to function as a Catholic hospital chaplain. His first certification was more than 30 years ago. 

25 years 

Father Richard Kunst

Father Richard Kunst

Father Richard Kunst was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1998, by Bishop Roger Schwietz, OMI, at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth. Father Kunst attended East High School, Crosier Seminary, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. He also studied at St. John’s Seminary in Collegeville. 

Father Kunst has served at St. Francis, Brainerd; St. Thomas of the Pines, Brainerd; St. Louis, Floodwood; St. Mary, Meadowlands; Immaculate Conception, Cromwell-Wright; St. Benedict, Duluth; St. John, Duluth; St. Joseph, Gnesen; and St. Michael, Duluth. He is currently pastor at St. James and St. Elizabeth in Duluth. 

In addition, Father Kunst has served as assistant vocation director, on vocation team, auditor for the tribunal, chair of the advisory committee, and columnist for The Northern Cross. He is also a well-known collector of papal artifacts. 

10 years 

Father Michael Garry

Father Michael Garry

Father Michael Garry was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul D. Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 21, 2013. Father Garry studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. 

Father Garry has served at Holy Spirit, Virginia; Sacred Heart, Virginia; Sacred Heart, Mountain Iron; St. James, Duluth; St. Elizabeth, Duluth; St. Margaret Mary, Duluth; Resurrection, Eveleth; St. Joseph, Gilbert; St. Thomas, International Falls; and St. Columban, Littlefork. He currently serves as pastor of St. Francis, Brainerd; All Saints, Baxter; and St. Thomas of the Pines, Brainerd. He is also administrator of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Pequot Lakes. 

He also serves on the Presbyteral Council, as a consultor, and as dean of the Brainerd Deanery. 

Father Elias Gieske

Father Elias Gieske was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul D. Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 21, 2013. Father Gieske studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. 

Father Gieske has served at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth; St. Mary Star of the Sea, Duluth; Our Lady of Mercy, Duluth; St. Joseph, Deerwood; St. Lawrence, Duluth; Holy Family, Duluth; and St. Joseph, Duluth. He is currently pastor at St. Joseph, Crosby; Our Lady of Fatima, Garrison; and Holy Family, Hillman. 

Father Nicholas Nelson

Father Nicholas Nelson

Father Nicholas Nelson was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul D. Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 21, 2013. Father Nelson studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. 

Father Nelson has served at Immaculate Heart, Crosslake; St. Emily, Emily; Blessed Sacrament, Hibbing; St. Martin, Tower; St. Mary, Cook; and Holy Cross, Orr. He currently serves as pastor at Queen of Peace, Cloquet; and Holy Family; Cloquet. He also serves as vocations director and is a columnist for The Northern Cross.