Father Robert Mutui from the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya, is here for his fourth visit to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as part of the partnership between the archdiocese and Kitui.

This time, he is staying two years. He arrived Nov. 14 and is scheduled to begin ministry Dec. 15 at St. John the Baptist in Dayton. He also will serve at other parishes while he is here.

“It’s a new experience,” Father Mutui said. “I’m looking forward to ministering to the people here as part of deepening the partnership between us and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.”

Among archdiocesan leaders who welcomed Father Mutui Dec. 2 at the chancery was Deacon Mickey Friesen, director of the archdiocesan Center for Mission, which oversees the decade-old partnership and arranges trips back and forth between people from the archdiocese and Kitui.

Throughout the history of the partnership, Deacon Friesen has talked about exchanging personnel. This is the first time such an exchange is taking place.

“This is a new expression of the partnership,” Deacon Friesen said. “One thing that’s unique is that Father Robert is coming here as a missionary to us.”

Father Mutui last visited the archdiocese in October 2013.