The Rev. Jerry Rogers remembered the first time he served Bemidji Catholics 40 years ago as he completed his first few months back at St. Philip's Catholic Church at Bemidji.

Rogers joined the parish in mid-May along with another priest who previously served here just as the state of Minnesota and the rest of the country were trying to navigate the so-called new normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the church bulletin reported on July 12.

He said it is his privilege to serve the congregation at St. Philip’s.

Having been in the priesthood for about 40 years, Rogers said it is the love for the people who seek spiritual guidance and leadership from him a good pastor makes.

“What we also know is that the secret to being a good pastor is not so much that you love being a pastor as much as it is you love the people you have the privilege to serve,” he wrote in the St. Philip’s bulletin. “And when you love a people, the primary question you ask is not ‘what do you want?’, but rather ‘what do you need?!?’ I have come to share the wisdom of an old pastor/mentor of mine: ‘You come as a pastor when you’re needed but not necessarily wanted; and it is time to leave when you are wanted but no longer needed!’”

The priest requested his new parishioners to afford him the time and patience to find a way to serve the diverse St. Philip’s community.

“I know there will be challenges to face and tension in conflict; I pray I can keep the tension creative and always strive to do what is prudent – that is, the best thing all things considered,” he said, the bulletin reported.

Rogers added that he is residing at St. Mary’s Mission in Red Lake.