John Clayton Nienstedt - Priesthood

Priesthood

Upon his return to the United States, Nienstedt was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 1974. He then served as an associate pastor at Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson until 1976. He became secretary to Cardinal John Francis Dearden and a part-time professor of moral theology at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth in 1977. He was also a weekend associate pastor at St. Fabian's Parish in Farmington Hills and at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington before becoming vicar general for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1979. He accompanied Cardinal Dearden to the August 1978 papal conclave, where he met the future Pope John Paul II.

In 1980, Nienstedt was assigned to the English desk of the Vatican Secretariat of State. During his time in Rome, he also served as a chaplain at Baby Jesus Hospital (1980–83) and to the Brothers of Holy Cross (1981–84). He earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Institute of St. Alphonsus in 1985.

Following his return in early 1986, he was named temporary assistant pastor at St. Regis Church in Birmingham and adjunct professor of moral theology at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake. He was later made pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Union Lake in July that year. In 1987, Nienstedt was appointed to reorganize his alma mater of Sacred Heart Seminary, of which he became Rector in 1988. He became a Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1990, and pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak in 1994.