Fr. Jim Berning

Father Jim Berning became the seventeenth pastor of St. Mary's Parish in July of 2011.   

Fr. Jim was born to James and Rita Berning in Adrian, MN, on August 15, 1964.  He was raised in Owatonna, MN, along with his three sisters Kathy, Cheri and Julie and one brother John.  He has two nephews, Ryan & Tony, and two nieces Brandy & Erica, and a great-niece Skyla.

Fr. Jim attended St. Mary's-Marian through ninth grade in Owatonna, then graduated from Owatonna High School in 1982.  He attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at St. Mary's University in Winona, MN and graduated in 1987 with a BA.  He was the first seminarian from the Diocese of Winona to attend the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Philadelphia, PA where he received his masters of Divinity.

Fr. Jim was ordained on June 12,1991, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart by Bishop John Vlazny. 

Fr. Jim has served as an associate pastor in Albert Lea, Twin Lakes, Rochester, Chatfield.  He has served as pastor in Slayton, Lake Wilson, Madelia, Truman, St. James, Albert Lea, Twin Lakes, and Winona.

Fr. Jim has served in four Catholic school settings in the Diocese of Winona which has included Rochester, Madelia, Albert Lea and Winona.

Fr. Jim has studied abroad in Mexico and has served in heavily populated areas of our diocese with Hispanic families.

Fr. Jim enjoys reading, biking, skiing, fishing in Canada, MN and other places, doing theme rooms at Christmas time, and M & M's!