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Tim Biren is a father. His children play an important role in his life and he enjoys watching them grow.
Unlike the average father, however, Biren is a priest at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center and his "children" are the students of Minnesota State.
As a priest, Biren dedicates his life to God, prayer and the church. But outside the church, he enjoys playing the piano and performing through singing, fishing, water-skiing and riding bikes. He also visits and plays the piano for assisted living and nursing homes in Mankato.
"I usually try to visit one place a month to keep me grounded to various people," said Biren. "It's a nice mixture because I work with the young people and I also have the connection with the older people in the community as well."
The path to priesthood started at an early age for Biren when he felt called to the possibility of becoming a priest. It was an idea that he entertained at a young age, but he wasn't sure if it was the right decision. Although he rarely discussed the topic with his high school friends, college seemed to clear his decision up.
"When I was in college and studying and learning and praying and discerning, it became more evident to me that this is what God was asking me to do, to use my gifts and abilities to be a priest in the Catholic Church," Biren said.
"I really like working with enthusiastic and energetic students that are really excited about their future and what they want to do with their lives," Biren said. "It's an honor for me to be a part of their journey."
Father Biren grew up in a family of nine on a farm in southwest Minnesota. He attended Fulda Public Schools and went to college at St. John's University, where he studied music. After college, he went on to the seminary. His first stop was St. Mary's University in Winona, then he continued to graduate school at St. Mary of the Lake in Chicago. Biren's first two years as a priest were spent in Austin, Minn. until he moved to Mankato where he has been helping the students of MSU for nine years.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Winona then assigned Biren to Mankato. Although not an official Catholic Church, the ministry of St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center is a ministry of the Diocese of Winona.
Biren leads the 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. masses on the MSU campus on Sundays.
Junior Kelly Huber attends daily mass and Sunday mass. She enjoys how personable Biren is and how he can relate to college students.
"His masses are very inspiring because he knows how to give a good homily that makes you want to go make a difference and really look deeper into yourself," Huber said.
Biren, and many of the students involved with the Newman Center, donate their time to help others in need. One way of doing this is mission trips.
"Our main focus of this mission trip is not to help the people that we are encountering, but that we can learn something from how they live their lives. So they can actually teach us something. It's a two-way street," Biren said.
There are four mission trips planned for this year including Guatemala Bay to help with reforestation, inner-city Chicago to help the homeless, Mississippi to assist with the Hurricane Katrina efforts, and Kentucky for building repair.
"These mission trips are important to me because sometimes students can become very comfortable in their own surroundings," he said. "It's important for us to look beyond ourselves and to realize the importance of not just being self-serving, but also to be mindful that we have a responsibility to everyone around us," Biren said.
Along with mission trips, Biren also realizes the importance of giving back to the local community. As a result of the recent devastation in Haiti, the Newman Center raised $1,300 and organized food packaging for Haitian children. They also work with the Theresa House in Mankato, Salvation Army, Kids Against Hunger and Food For Friends.
Even though Biren has donated his time to help the local community and communities around the U.S., his biggest accomplishment is being able to witness marriages for students. Another accomplishment is journeying with students that have been able to become either religious sisters or Catholic priests.
"It's a beautiful gift because I've been able to see how much they've grown in their own life," Biren said. "I'm humbled because part of their success is probably because of their involvement in the Catholic Newman Center."
College brings a lot of joy to some people, but for others it can be a struggle. Biren is grateful to have the opportunity to listen to students, give them advice and direction in their lives.
"I'm honored that I can be of some assistance," Biren said. "For me, it's not about the quantity, it's about the individual, touching one student's life at a time and helping them to succeed in their life."
AJ Garcia, a second-year graduate student and a regular attendee of mass, has known Biren since fall 2008 and considers himself lucky to call him a role model and mentor.
"I enjoy how outgoing he is and genuine he is to everyone. His positive attitude in trying to get to know everyone he comes in contact with is truly admirable," Garcia said.
"It's very important that we have a role at MSU for those that do desire a faith life. We have an awesome responsibility here to assist the university in that aspect of the student's journey," Biren said.
Anyone interested in attending mass or getting involved with the Newman Center should visit www.catholicmavs.org. Students do not have to be Catholic and are welcome to attend and participate.
Ashley Wall is a Reporter staff writer
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