Bishop John M. Quinn

“The Lord never takes without giving back more.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican invite Detroit-native The Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Bishop Emeritus of Winona-Rochester, to this episode of Men of the Hearts. This former bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester grew up at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Detroit’s east side. He shares about his discernment into seminary, facing changes in the Church, the role spiritual direction has played in faithfully listening to the Lord, and he marvels at God’s faithfulness. Get to know this inspiring guest who Fr. Craig describes as, “the happiest man I’ve met in my whole life.”

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(00:03) Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican welcome us to this episode of Men of the Hearts. They introduce us to today’s guest Bishop Quinn. Fr. Craig describes Bishop Quinn as “the happiest man I’ve met in my whole life.” They discuss the importance of their diaconate ordinations.

(14:35) “My ego is not my amigo. I better be ready to have it pierced.” They discuss the experience of receiving compliments as priests and how God’s love for them must remind them of their identity, and not the feedback they receive from others- good or bad.

(22:30) Bishop’s Quinn’s Vocation Story: “My first formators were my parents. We prayed the Rosary. We always went to Mass.” Bishop Quinn shares about the impact of his family and the role that his parish pastor played in identifying his vocation. Bishop Quinn’s worries about money, learning Latin, and his previous commitment to go to University of Detroit were addressed in dialog with his pastor. His pastor told him, “If this (seminary) is not for you, you’ll know.” Bishop Quinn shares, “The Lord never takes without giving back more.” In reflecting on ending his dating relationship with his then-girlfriend, and leaving behind his own plan for his life, Bishop Quinn reflects, “When you surrender to God, whatever you thought you were going to do… when you give it to God, God will not destroy it, God will perfect it. God will make it even more.”

(36:15) Moments of crisis in the seminary: changes in the Church during seminary, and his own fears were struggles for Bishop Quinn as he was in seminary formation. “Will I even be able to run a parish? What if they don’t like me? What if I’m a terrible administrator? What if I don’t have the ability to work well with groups? What if my personality doesn’t draw people? … listen to your ‘I’ statements.” The wisdom of ‘puncture your ego’ from a spiritual director helped Bishop Quinn let go of his fears and trust God.

(53:05) Spiritual Direction has played a very important role in Bishop Quinn living his priesthood close to the Lord. To close, Bishop Quinn offers this advice and encouragement to discerning men, “If you find that you’re going to Mass and you notice that a relationship is developing with the Lord. If you think about the priesthood… that isn’t an accident. God is at work in your life.” He encourages men to pray and listen to the Lord. He says, “I needed to go to the seminary to find out. If this isn’t for you, you’ll find out.” Finally, “God does not bring us on this earth for mediocrity.” He encourages all listeners to be brave and trust God.