From the Pastor’s Desk

July 15, 2018

Dear friends in Christ,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. Now I know that the St. James Parishioners and visitors may not require a re-introduction, but the McGregor and McGrath parishioners who take a look at their new bulletin will notice a rather lengthy column from me every week.

Fr. David Andrew Forsman is my name and I prefer to be called “Fr. David” by my parshioners. My family and close friends call me “Dave.” Fr. Ben Hadrich calls me “Davy” (but he’s the only one). Born November 18, 1970 to Dennis and Kathy Forsman in Duluth, I grew up in Proctor, MN with my 6 siblings. I am the second oldest, names in order of age are Christine, David, Mary, Matthew, Sarah, Ann and Elizabeth. Two of my siblings live in Maryland and the rest in Minnesota. My Dad passed away on November 12, 2016 from complications with Alzheimer’s and a laundry list of other ailments, he was 80. My Mom still lives in Proctor near the former Nopeming Nursing Home.

I received my call at an early age (second grade) and I was pretty serious about it. I remember being on the teeter totter at the St. Rose elementary playground with a girl in my class. She asked me if I would like to be her boyfriend and I said, “No, I’m going to be a priest.”

Bishop Robert Brom received me as a seminarian for the Diocese of Duluth in 1989 and I began my studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary on the campus of St. Mary’s in Winona, MN. This was a great period of my life.

The rest of my formation was a little different and a bit problematic. I struggled with my mental health which affected everything. It took me a little longer but by age 30 I was ordained a Priest forever for the Diocese of Duluth on June 18, 2001.

I have been a part of 13 parishes and 4 clusters now in these last 17 years (1 Cloquet, Carlton, Sawyer, Fond du Lac Indian Reservation, 2 Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, Biwabik, 3 Pine City, 4 Aitkin, Garrison, Hillman, McGregor and McGrath) and my longest tenure is my current one at 7 years. I hope to at least be given the opportunity to complete my term here of 10 years (if not a little longer). My assignment is not something I am in complete control of (as you know).

I am happy to be here. I love being a priest. I know that you have some adjustments to make being without a residential pastor (or at least not having one in the area) for the first time in a very long time. I am sorry for this loss. It is a sign of the times. So many factors have gone into why we are where we are today. I want to encourage you to accentuate the most positive thing and that is the Mass. You can come to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday. To be at the foot of the cross of Jesus with Mary and John and the other Mary’s; Oh my! What grace!

Much more to come . . .

God bless,

Fr. David