John Dolan, the newly appointed bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, took some time to post a video in which he introduced himself to his new parishioners.

“It's a funny thing, because as I reflect on it, and as the older you get, the more you reflect on how God was working through your life, how the Spirit was moving through you, and you know, as a kid I always gravitated around the Church, around the parish,” he said in the video posted on the diocese's Facebook page this week. 

He said he didn’t think it was too unusual, even though not many of his friends took comfort there. 

“It wasn't until I was a senior in high school,” Dolan said as he reflected on what led him to the priesthood. “… I kind of blew out both my shoulders in wrestling … so I was bummed I couldn't wrestle my senior year. I had nothing else to do, so I started getting involved in the youth group. Next thing I know, I'm asked to be a leader in the youth group, and next thing I know, I'm entering the seminary.”

Dolan, who was appointed on June 10 by Pope Francis to become the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, said in a previous Facebook message that he’s looking forward to meeting members of his flock in the coming weeks. 

Dolan is replacing Bishop Thomas Olmsted, who had headed the Diocese of Phoenix since 2003. 

“To the men and women, religious deacons and wives, priests, lay faithful and bishops in Phoenix, I promise my heartfelt love and prayer as we journey together toward proclaiming the good news of Jesus,” Dolan said at a recent press conference covered by America magazine. “He is the Lord. He is our shepherd. He is our brother and our friend. And he promises us the joys of his peaceable kingdom here and in the life to come.” 

Dolan earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Francis Seminary in San Diego before going on to earn master's degrees in divinity and theology from St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, Calif., a report from Faithful Shepherds said. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1989 and ordained a bishop in 2017.