Father Tim Biren will end one journey in his life in Austin later this month and begin another in Mankato.

Monday, June 11, 2001

Father Tim Biren will end one journey in his life in Austin later this month and begin another in Mankato.

Father Biren, 29, who teaches senior religion at Pacelli High School, was assigned to the area by Bishop Bernard Harrington in 1999 after being ordained into the priesthood.

Biren also is available for counseling and spiritual needs of students and he also celebrates weekly Mass.

He also teaches a religion class once a week at Queen of Angels School for grades 5 through 8.

This is something he feels very strongly about.

"Kids don’t have the opportunity to see younger priests involved," Biren said. "Hopefully, I’m promoting religious life through my presence in schools."

Biren first thought he might like to become involved in the priesthood during a fifth-grade religion class.

While he may have first had the thought in elementary school, Biren said being a part of the priesthood has always been on his mind.

"Throughout life, I felt God was leading me to this journey," he said.

He didn’t begin seminary work immediately following high school, however. He attended St. John’s University in Collegeville and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education.

"I was afraid to see if God was leading me there," he said.

After graduation, Biren went on to seminary training at St. Mary’s University in Winona; he attended graduate school at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Chicago.

With many years of seminary training and his first assignment here in Austin, Biren assists at four parishes in the area: St. Edward’s, St. Aidan’s, Ellendale; Holy Trinity, Litomysl (near Owatonna); and Our Lady of Loretto, Brownsdale.

At these parishes, Biren celebrates Mass, visits nursing homes and hospitals, prepares couples for marriage and also performs baptisms and funerals.

When he relocates to Mankato on June 25, Biren’s responsibilities will vary slightly.

"Primarily I’ll work with young adults and youth," Biren said. "At Mankato State, I’ll work with the college students. That’s a crucial time in life; so they don’t lose that connection to their faith."

Biren also will become a religion instructor at Loyola High School, co-directing the choir, as well.

A major project he will devote time to in Mankato is creating a House of Formation and Newman Center. The first of its kind in the area, Biren feels the House of Formation will be a large asset to the community.

"It will be for those thinking about the priesthood but not ready for seminary," he said. "It’s a place for them to live, pray and learn."

Harrington originally thought of the idea and passed it on to Biren, knowing that he likes working with young people.

Another reason Biren is looking forward to developing the House of Formation is so he may educate students about the priesthood.

"There seems to be a turnaround in the number of priests," he said. "It’s a healthy lifestyle and I want kids to see that."

Jane Koch, a music teacher at St. Augustine’s and Queen of Angels who has worked with Biren on several occasions, said his dedication to children will be greatly missed.

"I’ll miss how eager he always was to get involved and help out in any area the children needed," Koch said. "He’s just a really good person and really willing to help out."

Biren has a number of goals he hopes to carry out once in Mankato, the No. 1 being more student involvement.

He also will have a more active presence on campus, playing in the concert band and having a meal plan so he may interact with students. Biren feels this also will increase student involvement.

"The presence of having a Catholic priest on a state university campus is not something you see everyday," he said.

Pacelli High School junior Bri Enfield will miss Biren’s general presence, as he livens up the school a lot.

"He puts people in better moods," Enfield said. "He makes you laugh and smile."

Biren will be replaced by Father Kurt Farrell, who will focus more on the Hispanic community; at this time, details have not been worked out, but Farrell will begin formal duties on June 25.

Reflecting on the beginning of a new journey, Biren said he will miss Austin, as he enjoyed just being with people, young and old.

"This is where I got my start," he said. "While my duties are in Mankato, this will always be home for me."

Call Melissa Bregani at 434-2236 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.