Fr. Matt Shireman

I am happy to announce that Archbishop Hebda has appointed me Parochial Administrator (basically a trial year before Pastor) of St. Gregory the Great in North Branch and Sacred Heart in Rush City, which are located about 40 minutes north of St. Paul. The assignment begins July 1st. I would appreciate prayers during this time of transition!

April 24, 2022

Bulletin Article from May 1, 2022

We announced last weekend (April 23/24) that Archbishop Hebda has assigned me to the parishes of St. Gregory the Great in North Branch (about 500 families) and Sacred Heart in Rush City (about 130 families). My title there will be “Parochial Administrator,” which is a temporary title (usually for 1 year) given to priests that are put in charge of a parish where the Archbishop wants to give the priest and parish a trial year. The Archdiocese assigns Parochial Administrators a Supervisory Pastor (mine will be a Father Dave…but not our Father Dave!) to help us learn the ropes of leading parishes. If the first year goes well, Archbishop Hebda would then install me as Pastor for a 6-year term. My last day at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton will be June 19th and I start my new assignment on July 1st.

Although a Parochial Vicar always knows that he could leave an assignment after one year (like my assignment at St. Stephen’s in Anoka) or three years (like here) or some other period of time, a new assignment will always catch everyone (including the priest) by surprise. However, I see this new assignment as belonging to God’s providence, just as I saw my assignment to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as a work of the Holy Spirit. I am excited and joyful! I will certainly miss our parochial school (and recess!), as there is no school at St. Gregory or Sacred Heart. Of course, the fact that I will have two parishes will be a challenge, too. The two parishes are 15 miles apart, but I-35 gives me quick access between them. I will have two rectories but will primarily live at the house in North Branch.

During this transition time, I will keep all of you in my prayers, and I ask you to do the same for me. We plan to have a farewell celebration close to my departure date. Thank you for forming me to be the priest I am!

-Fr. Matt

As a member of the COVID Anointing Corps, Fr. Matt is one of 13 priests in the archdiocese who anoints gravely ill COVID-19 patients. CLICK HERE to listen to the interview. God bless you, Fr. Matt, for caring for the people of our archdiocese with such compassion!