Father Jenkins celebrates elevation of Father Neary to bishop
“The University of Notre Dame joins with the Congregation of Holy Cross in celebrating with the family and friends of Rev. Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C., his appointment by Pope Francis as the new bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota,” Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., said today.
“Soon after being assigned in 2010 to the Holy Cross formation house in Nairobi, Kenya, Father Neary wrote that, though he arrived with little understanding of the culture or language of the country, he felt called to ‘go anywhere that I am needed.’ Now, the Holy Father has determined that Father Neary is needed in St. Cloud.
“With confidence that he will serve well the people of God in the Diocese of St. Cloud, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Father Neary and have assured him of my prayers as he takes on this important new ministry.”
Raised just 26 miles from Notre Dame in La Porte, Indiana, Father Neary graduated from the University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in history, and then matriculated to the Jesuit School of Theology, where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1990. In addition to his work in Kenya, he has served at Notre Dame in Campus Ministry, at the congregation’s Moreau Seminary, and most recently at Holy Redeemer Church in Portland, Oregon.
Latest Faith
- Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, to receive 2024 Laetare MedalClaire Babineaux-Fontenot, the chief executive officer of Feeding America, will receive the University of Notre Dame’s 2024 Laetare Medal — the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics — at Notre Dame’s 179th University Commencement Ceremony on May 19 (Sunday).
- McGrath Institute to host online seminars to help inform new USCCB pastoral statement on disability and inclusion in the ChurchThe webinars, which are free and open to the public, will begin Thursday (March 7) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EST. Future sessions will take place on March 14 and 21 and April 11, 18 and 25.
- New Center for Liturgy initiative aims to foster children’s participation in worshipThe University of Notre Dame has received a grant of $1.25 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to create a three-year research and education initiative intended to foster children’s participation in worship in the context of late modernity. Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative.
- Breathe with both lungsNotre Dame's theology chair demonstrates Catholic character in a global context What comes to mind when you think about the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame? Likely, an image of traditional Roman Catholicism. But the Church is a global…
- University of Notre Dame to host Cardinal Mario GrechCardinal Mario Grech will visit the University of Notre Dame on Monday (Feb. 26) to offer a presentation titled “The Role of the Synodal Bishop.”
- Jennifer Newsome Martin to succeed O. Carter Snead as director of de Nicola Center for Ethics and CultureSarah Mustillo, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of Arts and Letters, has appointed Notre Dame theologian Jennifer Newsome Martin to be the next director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture. She will succeed O. Carter Snead, the Charles E. Rice Professor of Law, who will conclude 12 years of service in this role on June 30.