by The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt

Bishop of New Ulm

I am personally delighted with the selection of Monsignor Douglas Grams by the Diocesan College of Consultors to be our new Diocesan Administrator for this local Church. He is an experienced pastor, a capable administrator and a dedicated churchman. I have worked closely with him for the past five and a half years as he served as my Vicar General. A wonderful friendship has resulted from that association, which I will always treasure.

I remain grateful to our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, and his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, for the privilege of serving as the Bishop of New Ulm these past six years and as Apostolic Administrator for the past six months. I love this local Church and find it hard to leave. But the new challenges facing me in the Cities are daunting and I need to give them my full attention.

I ask the good people of our fifteen county Diocese to pray for me as I will for them. I will definitely hold all of you in my heart.