Bishop Izen is currently the pastor of the Churches of Saint Michael and Saint Mary in Stillwater, the parochial administrator of the Church of St. Charles in Bayport and the canonical administrator of Saint Croix Catholic school. A native of Fairmont, Minnesota, Bishop Izen, 55, earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics and computer science from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and upon graduation, went to work for 3M as a systems analyst. During his nine years at 3M, it became clearer that God was calling him to discern a possible vocation to the priesthood, so he enrolled at The Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning a Masters of Divinity. Bishop Izen was ordained to the priesthood May 28, 2005, by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn. Fifteen men were ordained to the priesthood that day, one of the largest ordination classes in decades.
Following ordination, then-Father Izen ministered at Divine Mercy in Faribault until 2007, when he became pastor at Saint Timothy in Maple Lake, where he served until 2012. In February of 2012, he became pastor at Saint Raphael in Crystal, where he served until 2015 when he was assigned to Stillwater.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop Izen will work alongside Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams, to lead the Church in the 12-county metro area.
“I was surprised, humbled, and a little terrified when I received the call from the Apostolic Nuncio informing me that Pope Francis had appointed me as an auxiliary bishop,” Bishop Izen said. “Archbishop Hebda has been very supportive and reassuring since I first received the news – very fatherly. I look forward to being an extension of him to our Archdiocese, and serving and being present to the people of God.”
Archbishop Hebda said: “It is with deep gratitude to Pope Francis and Christmas joy that I welcome the wonderful news of the appointment of Bishop-elect Michael Izen as an auxiliary bishop of this Archdiocese. The priests and faithful of the Archdiocese should be honored that once again the Holy Father has chosen a priest of this local Church to serve as a successor of the apostles. I have come to know Bishop Izen as a generous and capable pastor with a great love for Christ and for his sheep. I have particularly admired his ability to collaborate effectively with brother priests, Religious Sisters, and lay leadership in advancing the work of the Church. His impressive natural gifts all suggest that the Lord has long been preparing him to serve as a bishop. I am confident that the Archdiocese will benefit greatly from his leadership and experience and I personally look forward to working with him more closely as he begins this new ministry. Please join me in both congratulating Bishop-elect Izen and offering him our prayers as he prepares for his upcoming ordination.”
Bishop Izen was born January 12, 1967 to John and JoAnna Izen. He is the youngest of their six children. He grew up in Fairmont (in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester), attended St. John Vianney grade school and Fairmont High School, graduating in 1985.