The Academy of Holy Angels mourns the death of Bishop Paul Sirba, who graduated from the Catholic school in 1978.

The school in Richfield shared news of Sirba's sudden passing through its spring/summer Communique newsletter.

Sirba was appointed Bishop of Duluth, Minnesota, by Pope Benedict XVI and was ordained 11 years ago as a bishop. Prior to his ordination he was a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Sirba grew up in Bloomington and attended Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary grade school before attending Holy Angels, the newsletter reported. 

Even as an alum, Sirba was involved at Holy Angels. He celebrated Mass during his 40-year reunion and offered the use of his home for alumni events in Duluth. 

Sirba is survived by his mother, Helen Sirba, two brothers, the Rev. Joseph Sirba and John Sirba, and his sister Catherine Kelly.

The school said in the newsletter that the entire school family from administration, staff, and alumni mourn the great loss and send their prayers to everyone grieving with their school community.