New Beginnings in Belfield

Header photo: (Left to Right) Kristi Tessier, Father Shane Campbell, and Patty Hutzenbiler.

Most people can relate to the feeling of being new; whether you’re the new kid in school, the new employee at work, or the new family in the neighborhood. While the newness can be exciting, it often goes hand in hand with fear, anxiety, and even loneliness.

Recently, St. Bernard’s parish in Belfield, ND was assigned a new priest. These priests don’t choose where they are assigned, they simply move to the new home they are given as part of their ministry. This priest, Father Shane Campbell, came from a large parish in Mandan, ND, population 22,228 — to the much smaller parish in Belfield, population 976.

“It’s a totally new community for him,” said Kristi Tessier, a Frontline Specialist at Choice Bank in Belfield, who is also a member of the St. Bernard’s parish. “He’s just starting to get to know the names and the people here.”

Kristi was working when Patty made the phone call to the school and overheard her conversation. She was delighted but not surprised to see Patty, yet again, going out of her way to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

“Patty is always doing great things in the community,” she said. “This was such an awesome thing to do.”

When Patty called up Father Shane and told him the news, he was ecstatic. He came by the bank that day to pick up the pass and thanked Patty for the thoughtful gift. Since then they’ve planned to meet at some of the upcoming games and cheer for the Heart River Cougars together!

“Smile, be helpful and be passionate,” Patty said, referencing one of the Choice Bank’s core values that motivates her. “We wanted him to feel welcome, to know that he has a home here.”

Our People First values are at the heart of everything we do. Learn more about our passion for putting People First here.