Introduction to Father Jacob Toma

My name is Father Jacob Toma and I am the new parochial vicar assigned to St. Francis in Brainerd, All Saints in Baxter, and St. Thomas of the Pines. I was ordained a priest on June 23rd 2023 and was assigned to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Mary Star of the Sea, St. Joseph in Gnesen, and St. Michael for my first assignment(s). In many ways that assignment helped form me to be the priest that I am today.

I grew up in Side Lake, MN which is north of Hibbing. I am the eldest of four children. I have one brother and two sisters. My brother Joshua is (25) and served in the army as a sniper and has been married for about a year to his wife Kashia who teaches at the Catholic School in Cloquet, MN. My sisters Eleanor (19) and Coraline (14) are both deaf and blind and have other medical needs. My Mom takes care of my sisters at home and my Dad is a deputy sheriff also a permanent deacon.

I grew up hunting, fishing and began cooking from an early age. Some of my other hobbies include maintaining a saltwater fish tank, fantasy football, video games, Warhammer 40k, and while I was in Duluth, Bishop Felton got me into cigars. Back in the day I worked as a dishwasher, cook, bartender, personal care assistant, and worked maintenance for the church. My favorite saints are St. Josemaria Escriva, St. John Chrysostom, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Maria Goretti and Our Blessed Mother Mary.

I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you! With that being said, I would ask that even if we met when I was assigned here as a seminarian over six years ago, please introduce yourself. One of my character flaws is that I am horrible at remembering names. If you introduce yourself and then remind me what your name is when we talk, you will save me the embarrassment of always asking you to remind me.

I know that our community has a reputation for hospitality and inviting the priests over, and I am more than happy to come over for house blessings or a meal. The best way to schedule those or anything for that matter would be through email because it helps me keep track of and organize what’s going on in my life. Another character flaw that I should make note of is that I have intense allergies to cats, dogs, and then believe it or not poinsettias. Alongside a few random less intense food allergies. Generally, I try not to visit houses with cats and dogs unless it’s an emergency like an anointing, but would be happy to meet up somewhere too.

There are so many things that I am looking forward to now that I am assigned in Brainerd/Baxter. Our parishes are truly some of the most coveted gems in the entire Diocese of Duluth and by extension the whole world. As the wise saying goes, “The Diocese of Duluth is second only to Rome.” I am so honored to serve each and everyone of you and I look forward to meeting you all. May God bless you always!

In Christ our Hope,

Fr. Jacob Toma