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Father Noel Stretton
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Father Noel Stretton |
Father Noel Stretton was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. John McQuaid, D.D., at All Hallow’s in Dublin, Ireland, on June 14, 1959, for the Diocese of Duluth. Father Stretton is the son of Michael and Margaret Stretton. He attended high school at St. Colman College, Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland, and college at St. Jarlaths College, Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. He studied philosophy and theology at All Hallows, Dublin. He also received a master’s degree in human development at St. Mary’s University, Winona.
During Father Stretton’s ministry, he has served at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Duluth; Blessed Sacrament, Hibbing; St. James, Duluth; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth; St. Cecilia, Nashwauk; St. Kevin, Pengilly; St. Joseph, Duluth; and St. Elizabeth, Duluth. Father Stretton fully retired in 2017. In addition, Father Stretton helped develop the diocesan youth ministry department; developed Welch Center as a diocesan youth center, community center, and retreat center; and began and developed the priests’ continuing education program. He also served as director of youth, director of Welch Center, associate director of vocations, senator consultor, director of priestly life and ministry, and dean of the Hibbing deanery. Father Stretton also served on the Clergy Personnel Board, did chaplaincy assistance at the Duluth Federal Prison and was an active member of diocesan boards worldwide. Father Stretton also received honorable recognition in the American Legion David Wisted Post 28 and a nomination to the Duluth Hall of Fame for “Outstanding Contribution to the Community” in 1966.
Father Paul Fruth
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Father Paul Fruth |
Father Paul Fruth was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 2, 1974, by Bishop Paul F. Anderson at St. Ann’s in Wayland, Mass., for the Diocese of Duluth. He entered the Diocese of Duluth in March 1974. He was born in Freedom, Penn., and attended elementary and high school in New Brighton, Penn. Father Fruth attained his bachelor’s degree at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Penn. He attained a master’s degree at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn., and a master’s degree at Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass.
Father Fruth served at St. James, Duluth; St. Louis, Floodwood; St. Mary’s, Meadowlands; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Cloquet; Immaculate Heart, Crosslake; St. Andrew’s, Brainerd; St. James, Aitkin; Our Lady of Fatima, Garrison; Holy Family, Hillman; Holy Family, McGregor, and Our Lady of Fatima, McGrath. Father Fruth also worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, in pastoral care, served on the diocesan Presbyteral Council, and was assistant spiritual director for Cursillo. Father Fruth retired in 2015.
Father Timothy Deutsch
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Father Timothy Deutsch |
Father Timothy Deutsch was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Roger Schwietz at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 12, 1994. He was born in New Prague and attended high school at New Prague Senior High. He attended college at the University of St. Thomas and attended seminary at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Penn.
During Father Deutsch’s ministry, he has served at Blessed Sacrament, Hibbing; Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth; Holy Spirit, Virginia; Sacred Heart, Virginia; Sacred Heart, Mt. Iron; St. Charles, Cass Lake; St. Charles, Pennington; St. Louis, Floodwood; St. Mary, Meadowlands; Queen of Peace, Cloquet; Holy Family, Cloquet; St, Francis, Carlton; Sts. Mary and Joseph, Sawyer; St. Mary, Willow River; St. Isidore, Sturgeon Lake; St. Joseph, Crosby; and St. Joseph, Deerwood. Father Deutsch also did parish work in the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul at St. Dominic, Northfield; St. Raphael Church, Crystal; and St. Michael Church, West St. Paul. Father Deutsch moved to California to serve in 2013 but will be returning to serve in the Diocese of Duluth on July 1 as sacramental minister of St. Francis, Brainerd; St. Andrew, Brainerd; All Saints, Baxter; and St. Mathias, Fort Ripley.
Father Joel Hastings
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Father Joel Hastings |
Father Joel Hastings was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Roger Schwietz at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 30, 1999. He attended high school at Bigfork High School and college at the University of St. Thomas. He studied philosophy at St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul and studied theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
Father Hastings has served at Queen of Peace, Cloquet; Holy Family, Cloquet; Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth; St. Elizabeth, Duluth; St. Louis, Floodwood; St. Mary, Meadowlands; Immaculate Conception, Cromwell-Wright; Resurrection, Eveleth; St. Joseph, Gilbert; St. Rose, Proctor; St. Philip, Saginaw; and St. Benedict, Duluth. He is currently pastor of St. Francis, Carlton, and Sts. Mary and Joseph, Sawyer. Father Hastings has served the diocese on the Presbyteral Council and as a consultor. He was assistant coordinator for liturgy and is currently the director of the office of liturgy for the Diocese of Duluth.
Father William Skarich
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Father William Skarich |
Father William Skarich was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Roger Schwietz at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 30, 1999. Father Skarich attended Moose Lake High School and Fond du Lac Community College. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona, and theology at St. Paul Seminary.
During Father Skarich’s ministry, he has served at Center City Parishes, Duluth; St. Francis, Brainerd; St. Thomas of the Pines, Brainerd; St. Andrew, Brainerd; St. Mathias, Ft. Ripley; Holy Spirit, Two Harbors; St. Mary, Silver Bay; Holy Rosary, Aurora; St. John, Biwabik; Queen of Peace, Hoyt Lakes; St. Martin, Tower; St. Anthony, Ely; St. Pius X, Babbitt; and Blessed Sacrament, Hibbing. He is currently serving as sacramental minister of St. Cecilia, Nashwauk, and Mary Immaculate, Coleraine. In addition, Father Skarich has served on the Presbyteral Council, as spiritual director for Cursillo, as chaplain for the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, as spiritual director for the Duluth chapter of the Blessed Nuno Society, and as chaplain for the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, Ely office.
Father Timothy Lange
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Father Timothy Lange |
Father Timothy Lange was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 20, 2014. Father Lange studied at St. Paul Seminary.
Father Lange has served at St. Joseph, Grand Rapids; St. Augustine, Cohasset; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth; St. Mary Star of the Sea, Duluth; Our Lady of Mercy, Duluth; St. Agnes, Walker; and Sacred Heart, Hackensack. He currently serves as priest celebrant at Our Lady of the Lakes, Pequot Lakes.
Father Blake Rozier
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Father Blake Rozier |
Father Blake Rozier was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth on June 20, 2014. Father Rozier studied at St. Paul Seminary.
Father Rozier has served at St. Francis, Brainerd, All Saints, Baxter; St. James, Duluth; Immaculate Heart, Crosslake; and St. Emily, Emily. He is currently pastor of St. Joseph, Grand Rapids, and St. Augustine, Cohasset.