Staff photo by Fritz Busch Bishop Chad W. Zielinski talks at a media conference at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tuesday. Zielinski was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, according to an announcement made Tuesday. His installation is set for Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.

MARSHALL — Every week, parishioners at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church had been praying for a new bishop to be appointed in the area diocese, Cindy Sanders said. On Tuesday, Sanders and other area Catholics got some exciting news.

“Finally, our prayers have been answered,” she said.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Pope Francis has named Bishop Chad W. Zielinski as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm. Zielinski’s installation as bishop is set for Sept. 27.

Since 2014, Zielinski has been bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks in Alaska. As bishop of New Ulm, he will succeed Bishop John M. LeVoir, who retired in 2020. Monsignor Douglas L. Grams has served as New Ulm diocesan administrator since August 2020.

“I am most grateful to our Holy Father for entrusting me to serve as the shepherd of the Diocese of New Ulm,” Bishop Zielinski said in a news release.

“As I leave the vast expanse of Northern Alaska, I am fully aware of the countless blessings I received from 46 parishes. The faithful of the entire Diocese of Fairbanks patiently helped form me to be the shepherd I am today. Our Native Alaskan brothers and sisters have opened my mind and heart to the cultural beauty and richness of their traditional way of life. I come to the Diocese of New Ulm with the same open heart and mind, eager to learn and encounter new blessings as I visit parishes and families in this beautiful prairie land of south and west-central Minnesota.”

Zielinski was introduced at a media conference Tuesday afternoon in New Ulm. He said that while he was Bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks, he rode helicopters, bush planes and snowmobiles.

“It was great learning the native Alaska culture, hunting and fishing with them,” he said. “Now I look forward to touring the New Ulm Diocese. It would be great if somebody let me drive their tractor.”

Zielinski, 57, grew up on a farm in Alpena, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and after completing his tour of duty in 1986, he entered the seminary. He was ordained as a priest in 1996.

After the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Zielinski served as an Air Force chaplain.

Zielinski served in Iraq twice and eight months in Afghanistan in what he called “pretty horrific combat.”

“It caused me to pray for peace more than anything,” he added. “Pray for the men and women in uniform. I constantly pray for them.”

In December 2014, Zielinski was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks.

At Tuesday’s media conference, Zielinski urged people to listen when God speaks to them.

“Let your heart be filled and consumed with Christ,” Zielinski said. “Have hope. There are people all around full of darkness and evil. Give hope to those that don’t have it. You’re created in the likeness of God. You are important. Be a light for others in this world.”

Rev. Tony Stubeda, pastor at Holy Redeemer, was in New Ulm to meet Zielinski on Tuesday. He thought Zielinski would fit in well in southwest Minnesota.

“He talked several times about how coming here felt like coming home,” Stubeda said. “We’re glad to have him.”

Stubeda said one of the next steps for Zielinski would be to travel around the diocese and meet informally with priests in the parishes there. Zielinski would be coming to Marshall to meet area priests, he said.

Parishioners at Holy Redeemer in Marshall said it was exciting to have a new bishop, after close to two years of waiting.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Brad Gruhot. Gruhot said it would be nice to be able to have a bishop present for events like First Communion or Confirmation again. “That’s pretty significant” for youth, he said.

Sanders said she was able to watch a recording of Tuesday’s media conference, and was struck by Zielinski’s call for Christians to give the world hope. She also said it was exciting to see that the New Ulm Diocese would have an opportunity for long-term leadership.

“It’s fantastic news to have this kind of leadership in the diocese,” Sanders said.

Stubeda, Gruhot and Sanders all said they thought Zielinski’s diverse experiences as a chaplain and a bishop in Alaska could also be positive here.

“I think he’s going to come in with some fresh ideas,” Gruhot said.