Chancellor's Office

PJ Thompson

(507) 454-4643, ext. 223

Email PJ

"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve

one another as good stewards of God's varied grace."

(l Peter 4:10)

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The chancellor serves as the chief archivist and notary of the diocese.  The chancellor also serves as secretary to the curia and is responsible for other administrative duties as assigned by the bishop and/or vicar general.

P.J. Thompson is Chancellor for the Diocese of Winona. You may reach the chancellor at (507) 454-4643 or by email.

Pamela Jean (PJ) Thompson has been appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Winona by Bishop Bernard J. Harrington.  This appointment marks only the third time in the history of the diocese that a lay chancellor has been named, and is the first appointment of a woman as chancellor.

The chancellor is a key officer of the bishop who provides assistance and leadership for all clergy and lay faithful of the diocesan church. As chancellor, Thompson will also maintain the official documents of the Curia, making sure that they are assembled and safeguarded in the Diocesan Archives. Additionally, she will serve as Director of Cemeteries.  If you have questions about cemetery issues, please contact the chancellor or Deacon Gerald Trocinski, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor.

Over the past ten years, Thompson has served as the director of both the diocesan offices of Human Resources and Catholic Schools, providing resources and services for parish and school personnel. She has also worked to coordinate assistance and outreach to those who have been victimized in our parish communities. Thompson will continue to be a lead contact for these ministries in the diocese as she teams with other members of the Curia staff. 

Thompson holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Educational Administration and an M.A. Specialist in Administrative Licensure for Elementary and Middle Schools.  She served on the MNSAA (Minnesota Nonpublic Schools Accreditation Association) Board of Directors for six years and is currently on the NACPA (National Association of Church Personnel Administrators) Board of Directors.

“I know one of my most important roles as Chancellor is to be an active listener to all the faithful," Thompson said. "I believe we are each called to be the presence of Jesus to others. This appointment offers an opportunity for me to bring Christ’s message to others and to help bring their relationships and stories of parish life to the center of our service to the Catholic community.”