Reverend James T. Baraniak, O. Praem., named Prior of St. Norbert Abbey
Right Reverend Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., Abbot of St Norbert Abbey, De Pere, has announced the appointment of the Very Reverend James T. Baraniak, O. Praem., as Prior of the Canonry of
St. Norbert Abbey, effective March 19, 2013, the Feast of St. Joseph.
The role of Prior is that of a religious superior and vicar of the Abbot. In the absence of the
Abbot, he functions with full authority. The Prior’s position is primarily pastoral in nature,
reaching out to those who serve and live within the Norbertine context and ministering to them
on a one-to-one basis. He also represents the Abbot and Community at religious and civic events,
meetings and celebrations.
Father Baraniak, son of Jackie and the late Jack Baraniak, is a 1984 graduate of Antigo High
School, Antigo, Wis. He entered the Norbertine Order in August 1986 and was ordained to the
priesthood in January 1993. Father Baraniak received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and
psychology from St. Norbert College and a Master of Divinity, as well as a Master of Arts in
Liturgy, from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. He continued his graduate studies in
theology and liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.
In 1993, he was appointed associate pastor of Old St. Joseph Church and associate director of
Campus Ministry at St. Norbert College. In 1996, Father Baraniak was named associate pastor of
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, De Pere, and in 2004 was named pastor of St. Norbert College
Parish. He served the Norbertine Community as Vocations director from 1995-2007.
Father Baraniak served as a member of the Notre Dame de la Baie Academy board of education
and chair of the Green Bay Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
He currently is a member of Bishop Ricken’s Catholic Schools Initiative Task Force and the
board of directors of Catholic Athletes for Christ. Since 1997, the Prior-Designate has served the
Green Bay Packers as chaplain and since 1999 has been a sacramental minister at the Green Bay
Correctional Institution.
Father Baraniak succeeds Father James B. Herring, O. Praem., who served as Prior to the
Norbertine Community since June 2005.
For information about
the Abbey and for all other inquiries, contact Fr. Jim Baraniak, O. Praem., Prior, at prior@stnorbertabbey.org.
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