St. Alphonsus Catholic Church

Fr. Greg Wiest, C.Ss.R.

Missionary-in-Residence
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My name is Fr. Greg Wiest. I am from southwestern Wisconsin, but I’m sorry to say we never visited Minnesota when I was young and so this is my first time both in the state and in Minneapolis. I spent the last eleven years working at a retreat house, the Redemptorist Renewal Center, outside Tucson, Arizona, in the Sonoran Desert. It was an honor to be with people there as they explored the deeper movement of the Spirit in their lives. I coordinated a training program for spiritual directors, I directed group and private retreats, and specialized in intensive contemplative meditation. However, I guess my provincial superior thought I needed the opposite climate at this time in my life so he moved me here to Minneapolis. But I am excited to begin a new ministry here. My provincial superior asked me to provide outreach to the LGBTQ community of Minneapolis metropolitan area (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer community). I love the LGBTQ community with all my heart and I’m proud to be the first Redemptorist ever asked to dedicate himself to this work specifically. I ask for your prayers as I share my love with such a magnificent and wondrous group of people. Like the founder of the Redemptorists and our patron, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, I approach ministry as an artist, through writing and painting. Like St. Alphonsus I believe creative expression is the best way for people to experience the joy of a transfigured, spiritual life.