The July 5 edition of the weekly bulletin from St. Philip’s Catholic Church opened with a letter from the Rev. Michael Arey, who was recently appointed to serve the parish in Bemidji following his graduation from Seminary.

"I am blessed to be assigned and serving St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji," the letter reads. "My journey to priesthood was quite an adventure but God was always near and guiding the way even when I was avoiding His call and my Catholic faith."

Arey gave a brief account of his background growing up in Minnesota.

"I was born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and I was given up for adoption and landed in my parents' arms at five weeks old," he wrote. "I am an only child but entered into a very loving family. I was then diagnosed at 18 months old with Type 1 Diabetes and my parents did a wonderful job adjusting to this challenge."

Arey concluded by sharing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve God and the parish.

"I look forward to serving St. Philip’s Parish and may our Lord continue to bless you in all the days to come," he wrote.