Born: Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the eldest of five children of Albin and Elizabeth (Betty) Polz
Early Spiritual Formation: Received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist) and catechetical formation in St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish where Reverend Monsignor Roy Larrabee was his principal spiritual mentor
Early Education: Winnipeg public schools
High School: Graduated from St. Paul’s High School, Winnipeg, June 1980
University: Bachelor of Arts, St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba, May 1983
Seminary: Master of Divinity, St. Peter’s Seminary, King’s College, University of Western Ontario, June 1987
Holy Orders: Ordained to the Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, at St. John Brebeuf Church, August 26, 1987 Ordained to the Priesthood at St. Mary’s Cathedral, May 20, 1988
Canon Law Studies: Licentiate in Canon Law, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, May 2003 Master in Canon Law, University of Ottawa, May 2003
Tribunal Ministry: Formerly served as a Judge now serves as Defender of the Bond for the Regina Regional Matrimonial Tribunal, Winnipeg Branch. Promoter of Justice, Winnipeg Archdiocesan Tribunal.
Parish Ministry: 1987 Intern/Deacon, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish 1988 Parochial Vicar, St. Viator’s Parish (Dauphin) 1989 Pastor, Northwest Interlake (4 parishes) 1992 Pastor, St. Theresa’s Parish (Middlechurch) and Visitation of Our Lady Parish (Winnipeg) 1994 Parochial Administrator then Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish (Elie), St. Eustache Parish, and St. François Xavier Parish (1995) 1999 Pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Parish 2003 Sacramental Minister for St. Ann’s Parish and Deer Lodge Health Centre 2006 Pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish 2008 Parochial Administrator then Pastor of St. Nicholas Tavelich Parish 2015 Pastor of Saint John XXIII Parish
Other past and present service: Dean (Vicar Forane), North Winnipeg Deanery (2009-2015) Member, College of Consultors, Archdiocese of Winnipeg Member, Council of Priests, Archdiocese of Winnipeg Member, Canadian Canon Law Society (CCLS) Ecumenical and Interfaith Liaison, Archdiocese of Winnipeg Past-President, Western Diocesan and Eparchial Coordinators of Ecumenism (WDECE) Permanent Co-chair, Winnipeg Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Member, Winnipeg Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Board Member, Manitoba Multifaith Council Archbishop’s Representative, St. Paul’s High School Board of Directors
Knights of Columbus (3rd Degree member): Charter member St. Paul’s College Council #8670, Winnipeg Charter member King’s College Council #8904, London, Ontario 1988 Member Dauphin Council #3497 1992 Chaplain of St. Theresa’s Council #9425 1994 Chaplain of White Horse Plains Council #8566 1999 Chaplain of St. Edward’s Council #11005 2006 Chaplain of St. Patrick’s Council #11477 2015 Chaplain of St. James Council #4557