Joe Ruff

Maureen Kenney, the youngest of six living siblings of Bishop-elect Kevin Kenney, remembers that while growing up there “was always a crowd, and I was the youngest” and the family station wagon was always full.

As Bishop-elect Kevin Kenney prepared for his Oct. 28 ordination and installation as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, he took time Oct. 3 to talk with The Catholic Spirit about his family, ministries, prayers and his love of dancing. The conversation is edited for length and clarity.

Bishop Kevin Kenney shows the papal mandate to his aunt, Cathy Borer, during his ordination Mass Oct. 28 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Three events this year at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul aim to draw families into faithful community during the holidays and to dive more deeply into the waiting of Advent leading up to Christmas.

Bishop Kevin T. Kenney, center, stands with two of three priest-chaplains for his episcopal ordination Mass –– Fathers Fernando Ortega, left, and Bruno Nwachukwu -- Oct. 28, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul., Minn. The third priest-chaplain was Father John Forliti, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis who was pastor of St. Olaf in downtown Minneapolis when Bishop Kenney served there as an associate right after his ordination to the priesthood in 1994. (OSV News photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit)

Servant of the Lord and Virgin of Matará Sister Muire Chroi Iosa, at far right, stands with fellow sisters in front of their Monastery of St. Joseph in Albania. COURTESY SERVANTS OF THE LORD AND VIRGIN OF MATARÁ

Bishop Kevin Kenney holds his crosier after receiving it from Archbishop Bernard Hebda, left, during his ordination Mass Oct. 28 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT The intricately carved crosier, or hooked staff, carried by Bishop Kevin Kenney as a symbol of his episcopal office was fashioned by a Vietnam War veteran the bishop met while he ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul. Bishop Kenney was pastor there from 2004 to 2015.

Click image to enlarge Bishop Kevin Kenney’s coat of arms and episcopal motto reflect his heritage, his native place and his personal devotions. It also reflects his love of family –– he called on a niece who is an artist to render his thoughts into impactful images.

Before his ordination, Bishop Kevin Kenney took a moment to share some of his favorite things, including two countries on his bucket list for travel and the way he appreciates a good Sunday afternoon nap.

Oblate of Mary Immaculate Father Ronald Harrer — a Minneapolis native who ministered as a missionary in Brazil, pastor and assistant priest of two parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and chaplain at Regions Hospital in St. Paul — died Nov. 6.