By Kristen Miller
News Editor

Father Aaron Wessman, a 2000 Dassel-Cokato High School graduate, recently participated in a Mass of Thanksgiving for newly ordained priests at his home parish of St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin.

Wessman was ordained May 26 at Sacred Heart Church in Cincinnati, OH, near the headquarters of Glenmary Home Missions, the seminary where he prepared for priesthood.

Becoming an ordained priest has been a humbling experience for Wessman, he said, giving appreciation to those who supported him through it all.

“It is hard to describe the support and love I have felt from family, friends, and my home community as I have made this journey towards priesthood. I am excited to begin the next stage of this journey,” Wessman said.

Coming home for a Mass of Thanksgiving in Silver Lake June 16, and in Darwin June 17 was a great experience for him.

“I was able to share the gift of priesthood with the folks who have helped to cultivate that in me,” he said.

Now, Wessman will spend the rest of his summer giving mission appeals in various religious communities by talking about Glenmary and its mission.

Then, starting in September, Wessman will begin his first missionary assignment in eastern Tennessee as an associate pastor.

His ministry will include outreach to the poor and nurturing the Catholic and non-Catholic community.

This particular mission is the youngest of the Glenmary missions, having begun only six months ago, and it is growing quite rapidly, he said.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” he said, explaining that Mass currently takes place in an abandoned storefront, which is how many of the missions begin.