Bishop Neary Honored at Annual Bishop's and Rector Dinner

On April 25th, 2025, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) had another successful Bishops and Rector Dinner at the Rochester International Event Center. The evening was full of laughter, music, and a strong sense of community, as IHMS celebrated and honored the future of our faith, our seminarians. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona Rochester, alongside Rector Fr. Robert Horihan, served as hosts of the evening. Together, they presented Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Award, an annual honor bestowed by DOWR’s Bishop Robert Barron. Other bishops in attendance included Bishop Donald Kettler (emeritus) of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Bishop Gerard Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse, and Bishop David Tencer of the Diocese of Reykjavik in Iceland. 

Bishop Patrick Neary was our keynote speaker and shared his incredible journey from his youth to seminary to the impact he has made in his time as a priest. Bishop Neary was ordained to the priesthood in 1991 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. He began his ministry working in the Office of Campus Ministry, later serving as rector of Moreau Seminary in 2004. In 2010, he was appointed to lead the seminary in Nairobi, Kenya. Bishop Neary shared a moving story of having the seminary building site torn from their grasp only to have God bless them with a fully furnished seminary nearby. He subsequently served for six years as district superior of Holy Cross in East Africa, headquartered in Uganda. After returning to the United States in 2018, he became pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon. Pope Francis appointed him as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud on December 15, 2022, and he was formally installed February 14, 2023. 

Throughout the evening, attendees remarked on Bishop Neary’s warm sense of humor and praised his engaging keynote address following the award presentation. Reflecting on his vocation, Bishop Neary credited his family and other priests for shaping his journey to the priesthood. And, he encouraged us all to be inspirations to others. "If you see a young man who would make a good priest – tell him!” Among his memorable anecdotes we were treated to an amusing story about unintentionally blocking the phone number of the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. 

The dinner was a joyful and uplifting celebration, as IHMS seminarians had the opportunity to meet and personally thank their benefactors. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal featuring options of sliced beef tenderloin, herb crusted pork, or spinach and wild mushroom ravioli. Live music was performed by seminarian-led ensembles beginning with “Immaculate Jazz” welcoming guests during the social hour. After dinner, the Schola Choir performed two beautiful Latin hymns: Tenebrae by T.L. de Victoria and Creator Alme Siderum by Richard Burchard, both reflecting key moments in the Liturgical Calendar.   

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in and contributed to this year’s Bishops and Rector Dinner, including those who were unable to attend. Your prayers and continued support are deeply appreciated. 

We look forward to welcoming you to next year’s Bishops and Rector Dinner on April 17, 2026!