Fr. Brian Hughes, a native of Emmetsburg, graduated from Emmetsburg High School before attending Loras College in Dubuque and St. Meinrad (Ind.) School of Theology. He also earned his master’s in architectural history from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He was ordained on June 6, 1981, at St. Thomas Church, Emmetsburg.

Father Hughes, who most recently served in Boone County at the Catholic churches of Boone, Madrid and Ogden, has also served at St. Mary Parish in Spirit Lake, St. Lawrence Parish in Carroll; St. Joseph Parish in Le Mars; Gehlen Catholic High School in Le Mars; Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City; St. Anthony Parish in Hospers; Spalding Catholic High School in Granville; Sacred Heart Parish in Sioux City; St. Boniface Parish in Sioux City; St. Patrick Parish in Estherville and St. Mary Parish in Armstrong.

He has also served as the director of seminarians, assistant director of vocations, director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Sioux City and as campus minister/chaplain at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City.