NEW ULM — A drive-by farewell will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in New Ulm, to say goodbye to Bishop John M. LeVoir.
It will begin at the north entryway parking lot of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Prior to the farewell event, Bishop LeVoir will celebrate the 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral; the Mass will be livestreamed on the diocesan website at www.dnu.org/live-stream .
According to a news release from the Diocese of New Ulm, it was announced Aug. 6 that Pope Francis had accepted Bishop LeVoir’s request for early retirement due to health concerns. LeVoir, 74, has served as Bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm for 12 years. A typical retirement age for a bishop is 75, the release states.
There is no timeline for the appointment of a new bishop. However, the search for a replacement began immediately, a process run primarily by the Vatican.
During the interim, Monsignor Douglas L. Grams is serving as diocesan administrator. As administrator, Monsignor Grams assumes the administrative responsibilities of a diocesan bishop until the pope appoints a new bishop.
