Pastor Assignments Take Effect Aug. 3: Fr. Dominic Sternhagen

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Fr. Dominic Sternhagen

Fr. Dominic Sternhagen attended high school at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, British Columbia, Canada; then entered the Legionaries of Christ College of Humanities in Cheshire, Conn. He undertook post-graduate studies at Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Thornwood, N.Y., and at Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He then entered Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore. He speaks English, Spanish and Italian. He holds degrees in philosophy, theology and divinity.

He was ordained a priest on Aug. 14, 2020 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine by the Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis, 10th Bishop of Salt Lake City. Since then, he has served as parochial vicar of the cathedral. On Aug. 3 he will begin his new assignment as pastor of St. Ann Parish and school in Salt Lake City.

What would you like your new parishioners to know about you?

I want to serve them as a priest of God, as a fellow traveler. I want to proclaim the Gospel in an eminently positive way. I hope to continue the building of a discipleship community at St. Ann’s. Discipleship is at the heart of everything we do. Following Christ as disciples is the positive solution to the problems that face the Church and the world. 

What are you looking forward to most about your new assignment?

Again, I’m looking forward to collaborating with the parishioners in this project of discipleship, bringing people to an encounter with Jesus Christ, through welcoming them in, forming them and then sending them out, And I’m excited to put the Eucharist at the heart of everything we do, especially as we start this Eucharistic Revival process.

As a priest, what has been your greatest challenge?

As priests, there are so many things that we’re involved in all the time that we’re constantly scattered. It’s my hope to collaborate more with every Christian disciple exercising their priestly, prophetic and kingly gifts so that I can collaborate with and support the people of God in a truly priestly way.  

As a priest, what has been your most satisfying experience?

Working with the young adult community, hands down, has been an immense joy. It’s been incredibly enriching for me. We are blessed to have so many awesome people here doing amazing things, and as a priest I have been so blessed to be able to participate in that. That has been a real joy. And preaching is a joy. It’s a challenge, but it’s always exciting for me to proclaim the Word of God, to celebrate the liturgy and to bring Christ to people in whatever way I can.