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Catholics Welcome New Bishop, Who Says He's Ready to Call Sioux Falls "My Diocese"

By Trevor J. Mitchell
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
December 12, 2019

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2019/12/12/rev-donald-degrood-named-ninth-bishop-sioux-falls-diocese/4407420002/

Rev. Donald DeGrood is named the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls during a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 at the Catholic Pastoral Center. (Photo: Abigail Dollins / Argus Leader)

The eighth and ninth bishops of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls stood together in the Catholic Pastoral Center on Thursday morning, as Bishop Paul Swain introduced Bishop-elect Donald DeGrood.

DeGrood, who called himself “a farm boy at heart,” most recently served as pastor of St. John the Baptist in Savage, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

While admitting he was sad to leave his parishioners in Minnesota, he said he knew God would provide for them and that prayer had let him know that coming to South Dakota was the right path.

DeGrood succeeds Bishop Paul Swain, who submitted his resignation, per canon law, at the age of 75 in September of 2018.

Swain spoke briefly as he introduced DeGrood, saying that he was pleased with the church’s decision to choose him as the next bishop — “and not just because I can retire now,” he said.

He told DeGrood he’d need to learn to appreciate the open plains of South Dakota he’d see during his many drives across the state, as well as learn the important distinction between East River and West River.

“Though shaken by the scandals of the church these days,” Swain said, DeGrood was entering a community of people who are steadfast in their belief, and who care about each other.

DeGrood said he’s got a lot of learning to do before he’s ordained as a bishop and installed on Feb. 13, saying that in recent days he’s been mostly focused on his own parishioners.

But now he’s got to learn about South Dakota, visit the cathedral and stop referring to it as “your diocese” and start saying “my diocese,” he said.

“There’ll be plenty of awkward moments,” DeGrood said jokingly, saying he’s particularly worried about his first time putting on a miter.

Nearby, Swain told him “you never really learn how to.”

 

 

 

 

 




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