Fr. John HemsingMILWAUKEE – Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki has appointed Fr. John D. Hemsing rector of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, effective Oct. 1, 2011. Fr. Hemsing replaces Bishop Donald J. Hying, who was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee this summer.
Ordained to the priesthood May 20, 1988, Fr. Hemsing, 49, most recently served as pastor of Lumen Christi Parish, Mequon. Prior to that, he was pastor at St. Clare Parish, Wind Lake, from 1996-2008. Hemsing’s first appointment as an associate pastor was at St. Mary Parish, Waukesha, 1993-1996. He also served as a pastoral team member at Immaculate Conception Parish, Milwaukee, from 1988-1993. Fr. Hemsing has also served the archdiocese as a member of the Archdiocesan College of Consultors, since 2005, as well as a dean, District three, from 2002-2008. He currently serves on the Archdiocesan Priest Council.
“We in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are blessed to have a priest like Fr. Hemsing as our new Seminary Rector,” Archbishop Listecki said. “He is a pastor and a parish priest first. I know that his servant leadership will significantly influence the seminarians as they train to become good parish priests.”
Fr. Hemsing says that he will build upon the firm foundation set by Bishop Hying and the good work that he did as former rector of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary.
“I am honored by the confidence the archbishop has shown in me,” said Fr. Hemsing. “But, I am also humbled by the responsibility of forming men who will serve as priests in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for decades to come.”
Fr. Hemsing earned his Master of Divinity from Saint Francis de Sales Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Graduate Theological Foundation, South Bend, Ind.
Founded in 1845, Saint Francis de Sales Seminary is one of the oldest operating seminaries in the United States and the oldest priestly formation center in the Midwest. Seminarians receive their academic formation from Sacred Heart School of Theology, Franklin, and their human, spiritual and pastoral formation from Saint Francis Seminary staff. Currently, more than three dozen seminarians are studying for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
