Letter to Priests from Archbishop-Designate Hebda

Dear Brothers,

Please pray for me as I prepare to begin my service as the next Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. I am humbled by the Holy Father’s confidence in me and pray that I will be able to be a shepherd who imitates the One who “came to serve rather than to be served,” as we will remember at this evening’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

I particularly hope and pray that I as bishop will be able to be the “father, brother and friend” that Saint John Paul envisioned in Pastores Gregis.

I am aware that there is still much work to be done to overcome the daunting challenges before us but I find great hope in the Sacred Triduum that we begin this day, which reminds us that we have a God who can bring Easter victory even out of the ignominy of the cross. As our Archdiocese patron, St. Paul, wrote to the Philippians, we can truly do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

I find great comfort as well in knowing that there are already so many extraordinary laborers in this vineyard. It will be an honor to serve with Bishop Andrew Cozzens and with you. In the course of these past nine months, I have already been privileged to witness your deep faith and commitment to Christ’s Church, His people, and the Eucharist. I find that inspiring.

As I prepare to begin this new ministry, I will be counting more than ever on your prayers and support. I pledge my best efforts in return and promise as well my prayers for you. May the Lord of the Harvest bring fruit to our common labors.

Fraternally in Christ,

The Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda
Archbishop-Designate
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis