New Pastor in Kodiak brings with him a special Chalice

Father Joe Classen
Photo Credit: St. Louis Review

Kodiak parish: St. Mary's is getting a new pastor from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The St. Louis Review printed a neat story about the priest and his special Chalice. The story tells of a priest who understands continuity and the importance of sacred items. Kodiak seems to have some good things coming their way.

From the St. Louis Review:

As Father Joe Classen makes the 5,000-plus mile journey to Alaska to start a new assignment, he'll be taking along with him an important piece of his childhood.

In mid July, Father Classen begins his work as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Kodiak, Alaska. Ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2003, he previously had been serving as associate pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Maryland Heights.

Coming along with him on the journey is a decades-old chalice that once belonged to his childhood pastor, Msgr. Michael Owens. Father Classen got to know the priest, who died in 1988, assisting him as a server at Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in St. Charles.

<<Read the rest at the St. Louis Review>>

†††