The Catholic Spirit is honored to celebrate the priests who are marking 10, 25, 50 and 60 years of priestly ministry this year. In addition to three jubilarians featured in profiles (Father Benjamin Little, Father Michael Reding, Father Theodore Campbell), the following men are observing these significant anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood. Congratulations to all of the archdiocesan priests — including those not listed below — celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.
10 YEARS (2012 ORDINATION)
Father Evan Koop, 40, has been a faculty member at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul since 2016. He also has ministered at St. Henry in Monticello (2020-2021), Risen Savior in Burnsville (2014-2016), St. Joseph in Red Wing (2014-2016), St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul (2014-2016) and St. Stephen in Anoka (2012-2014).
Father Nicholas VanDenBroeke, 36, has served as canonical administrator at Holy Cross School in Webster since 2020 and as parochial administrator and then pastor of Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale since 2017. He also has ministered at St. Nicholas in New Market (2020-2021), Epiphany in Coon Rapids (2016-2017), St. Michael in Kenyon (2014-2016), Divine Mercy in Faribault (2014-2016), Totino-Grace High School in Fridley (2013-2014) and St. John the Baptist in New Brighton (2012-2014).
25 YEARS (1997 ORDINATION)
Father David Barrett, 57, has served at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague (2009-2017), St. Scholastica in Heidelberg and St. Thomas in St. Thomas (2009-2011), Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery (2005-2009), Assumption in St. Paul (2003-2005), St. Mary in Waverly (2002-2003), Mercy and Unity hospitals (2000-2002) and Presentation of Mary in Maplewood (1997-2001).
Father Michael Creagan, 51, has served as pastor of St. Joseph in West St. Paul since 2008 and chaplain for the Minnesota Army National Guard since 2012. He also has ministered at Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale (2002-2008) and St. Mary (1999-2002) and St. Michael (1997-2002) in Stillwater.
Father Thomas Deziel, 59, has served as pastor of Annunciation in Minneapolis since 2020. He incardinated into the archdiocese from the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, Province of St Odilia in 2008. He also has ministered at St. Nicholas in Carver (2018-2020), Guardian Angels in Chaska (2017-2020), St. Peter in North St. Paul (2011-2017), St. Rita in Cottage Grove (2005-2011), Pax Christi in Eden Prairie (2005) and St. Stephen in Anoka (1997-1998).
Msgr. Stephen Gideon, 69, has served on the faculty of The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul since 2020. Msgr. Gideon is a priest of the Diocese of Nashville.
Father Joseph Taphorn, 50, has served as rector of The St. Paul Seminary and ex officio vice president the University of St. Thomas, both in St. Paul, since 2019. Father Taphorn is a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha.
50 YEARS (1972 ORDINATION)
Father James Devorak, 77, retired in 2021 and is living in the archdiocese after serving as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Watertown since 2018. He also has ministered at Corpus Christi in St. Paul (2017-2018), St. Rose of Lima in Roseville (2017-2018), St. Gerard Majella in Brooklyn Park (2016-2017), Corpus Christi and St. Rose of Lima (2015-2016) and St. Bernard in St. Paul (2015). Faher Devorak is a priest of the Diocese of New Ulm.
Father Terrence Hayes, 80, has served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Minneapolis since 1993. He also has ministered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Hastings (1995-2005) and then-St. Austin (1979-1993) and Annunciation (1972-1979) in Minneapolis.
Father Thomas Monaghan, 87, has been retired since 2010, after serving at Incarnation in Minneapolis beginning in 1978. He also ministered at Sacred Heart in St. Paul (1972-1978).
Father William Murtaugh, 76, has been pastor of Christ the King in Minneapolis since 2019. He incardinated into the archdiocese in 1987 from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Province of St. Ann. He also has ministered at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie (2011-2019), St. Thomas Becket in Eagan (2008-2011), St. John the Baptist in New Brighton (1996-2008), St. Henry in Monticello (1992-1996), St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis (1988-1992), Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis (1984-1988), and St. John the Baptist in New Brighton (1982-1984).
Father Philip Rask, 75, has been retired since 2021, after serving at St. Odilia in Shoreview since 2007. He also has ministered at the chancery and international clergy office (2009-2011), Presentation of Mary in Maplewood (2002-2007), The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul (1982-2002) and Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights (1972-1977).
Father Edwin Savundra, 75, has been retired since 2013, after serving as parochial administrator at Sacred Heart in Rush City since 2010. A priest from the Archdiocese of Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, who incardinated into the archdiocese in 2005, he also ministered at Nativity in Cleveland (2001-2009), Immaculate Conception in Marysburg (2001-2009), St. Gregory the Great in North Branch (1999) and The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul (1998-1999).
Father Eugene Tiffany, 76, retired in 2016 after serving as parochial administrator of St. Boniface in Minneapolis beginning in 2012. He also has ministered at All Saints in Minneapolis (2012), Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights (2011-2012), the chancery in St. Paul (2008-2010), Holy Spirit in St. Paul (2006-2009), St. Andrew and St. Mark in St. Paul (2009), St. Olaf and Risen Christ Catholic School, both in Minneapolis (2004-2006), All Saints in Lakeville (1992-2004), Holy Trinity in South St. Paul (1985-1992), St. Henry in Monticello (1981-1985), Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield (1980-1981), Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Paul (1980-1981), St. Peter in Richfield (1977-1980), Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale (1976-1977), Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul (1973-1976) and St. Matthew in St. Paul (1972-1973).
60 YEARS (1962 ORDINATION)
Father Rinaldo Custodio, 85, retired in 2005 after serving as assistant priest of St. John the Baptist in Burnsville since 1996. Father Custodio also has ministered at Benilde-St. Margaret’s high school in St. Louis Park (1994-1996), Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka (1976-1994), Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery (1973-1976), Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis (1971-1973), St. Raphael in Crystal (1970-1971), Visitation in Minneapolis (1967-1970) and St. John the Baptist in New Brighton (1962-1967).
Father Daniel Friberg, 85, has been retired since 2001, after serving as pastor of St. John the Baptist in Hugo since 1993. He also has ministered at St. Thomas Academy high school in Mendota Heights (1970-1993), St. Augustine in South St. Paul (1967-1970) and St. Bridget in Minneapolis (1962-1967).
Father Edward Forliti, 86, retired in 2004 after serving as pastor of St. Olaf in Minneapolis since 1992. After retiring, he was chaplain at Cretin-Derham Hall high school in St. Paul (2004-2015), and chaplain at St. Catherine University in St. Paul (2009-2018). Before retiring, he also ministered at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul (1985-1992), St. Frances Cabrini in Minneapolis (1977-1983), the chancery in St. Paul (1973-1977), Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Paul (1970-1973), and then-Nazareth Hall College and Seminary in St. Paul (1962-1970).
Father Roy Lepak, 86, retired in 2000 after serving as an instructor and faculty member at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul from 1966 to 1994. He also ministered at the Newman Center and Chapel at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis (1963-1966) and Corpus Christi in St. Paul (1962-1966).
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