The Diocese of Winona-Rochester recently celebrated Bishop John Michael Quinn's 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.

“Last Thursday, March 17, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester staff took a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in celebration of Bishop Quinn's 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

“The staff started the day with a tour of the Church, then Mass celebrated by Bishop Quinn,” the post said. “The staff was also able to pray the rosary, celebrate the Stations of the Cross, led by Fr. Thompson, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester's Vicar General, and spend some time in personal prayer. It was a beautiful day spent in prayer and celebration of Bishop's Anniversary!” 

Quinn grew up in Detroit, where he served as a deacon at St. Raymond Parish before he was ordained on March 17, 1972. Since then, he has served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington and pastor of St. Luke Parish in Detroit. 

Quinn served as director of the Archdiocese of Detroit's Education Department for 13 years. He was the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit for several years before Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. His episcopal ordination took place on May 7, 2009, the diocese says.

Quinn’s educational resume includes a Bachelor's degree in philosophy from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, a Master of Divinity degree from St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth and Master's degrees in Religious Studies and Systematic Theology from the University of Detroit, Faithful Shepherds says. 

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, was erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary's appearances in America in the 16th century. "It is a place of ceaseless prayer for the corporal and spiritual welfare of God’s children, especially those in most need," according to the shrine's website.