I would like to introduce myself: I am Father Paul Niemann; most people call me “Father Paul.” I’m blessed to be here and to serve you with our pastor, Father Mike Esswein.
I am from St. Louis; my home parish was St Martin of Tours in Lemay, and my high school was St Louis Prep Seminary South, class of 1972. My pastor at St Martin’s was Monsignor Anthony Esswein, Father Mike’s great-uncle.
I attended Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, and was ordained on May 24, 1980. My first assignment was as associate pastor at St Peter in Kirkwood. From 1992 to 2001, I was the director of the Office of Worship; in 1996, I completed the Doctor of Ministry at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago. In 2001, I returned to full-time parish ministry where I served as pastor of Immaculate Conception, Arnold, until 2009; then pastor at Holy Trinity, St Ann, until 2015; and at St Pius V, South St Louis, until now.
A little about my family: I have one brother, Rich; he and his wife Juli live in University City. They have one daughter; she and her husband live in Golden, Colorado, and have two children, now in their 20’s.
My favorite subjects in seminary were Liturgy and Scripture, which came together as I studied evangelization and RCIA. My studies at CTU led to a thesis on liturgical architecture. In the past ten years, I have learned the practice of Spiritual Direction using the Ignatian tradition.
I also love the natural world; when I visit my niece in Colorado, I always make time for a hike in the nearby mountains. I’m happy to see so much green around the church; my dad was a welder by trade but his hobby was gardening. I am told I inherited his “green thumb.”
I am blessed to be part of this community, sharing the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and His immense love for us.
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Paul