MILWAUKEE — Thirty three priests with ties to the Milwaukee Archdiocese will celebrate jubilees this year. This week your Catholic Herald features the men celebrating 60th, 50th and 25th anniversaries of their ordination. The information comes from a biographical form submitted by the priests in response to an inquiry from your Catholic Herald. Not everyone observing the aforementioned jubilees responded to the newspaper’s request for information. Also listed are the men marking 10 and 40 years as priests.
60 years
Fr. Stanley B. Klauck
Born in Sheboygan to Jacob and Caterine, Fr. Stanley B. Klauck is one of four children. He attended Kohler Public School, St. Lawrence High School and Saint Francis Seminary. He was ordained June 8, 1946 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
His first assignment was St. Veronica, Milwaukee, from 1946 to 1962. He then went to St. Monica, Whitefish Bay, from 1962 to 1965. From 1965 to 1966 he was in Port Washington at St. Mary. Next he became founding pastor of St. Peter of Alcantara, Port Washington, from 1966 to 1979. Between 1979 to 1992 he was at Sacred Heart, Racine.
Besides these parishes, Fr. Klauck has assisted at several parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix. For the past nine years he has assisted at St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a newly established parish in Scottsdale, Ariz.
A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux with Frs. Andrew Nelson, Brian Bell and William Faiella concelebraing.
Fr. Robert F. Mueller
Fr. Robert F. Mueller was born in Milwaukee as one of eight children of Robert and Frances. He attended SS. Peter and Paul, Holy Redeemer and St. Augustine grade schools. He attended high school at Pio Nono, St. Francis. He then attended Alverno College and received a bachelor’s degree in music education. He also attended Saint Francis Seminary and received a master’s degree in German from Marquette University.
He was ordained at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on June 8, 1946.
Fr. Mueller began his priestly ministry at St. Edward, Racine, from 1946 to 1948. He taught at Saint Francis Minor Seminary from 1948 to 1973. He then went to St. Edward, Union Grove, from 1973 to 1981. Next, he became a chaplain at West Allis Memorial Hospital from 1981 to 1984. He was appointed pastor at St. Catherine, Mapleton, from 1984 to 1988. He worked at Clement Manor nursing home from 1988 to 1991. He also lived and helped at St. Anthony for four years. Throughout his 60 years of ministry, Fr. Mueller has worked in Puerto Rico, and taught Latin, German, religion, band, and choir at many schools.
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will take place June 4 at St. Anthony, Milwaukee, at 2 p.m.
Fr. Ralph Schmit
50 years
Fr. Joseph Cunningham
Born in Burlington to Leonard and Clarice Cunningham, Fr. Joseph Cunningham has two sisters. Fr. Cunningham attended St. Mary grade and high school, as well as Saint Francis Minor Seminary, and Saint Francis Major Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee.
He began his priestly ministry at Immaculate Conception, Milwaukee, from 1956 to 1958. He then went to St. Patrick, Fond du Lac, from 1958 to 1963. From 1963 to 1968, he served St. Mary, Hales Corners. After a six-month stint at St. Matthew, Oak Creek, he went to St. Rita, West Allis from 1969 to 1975. He then went to St. Agnes in Butler from 1975 to 1988, before going to St. Mary Help of Christians in West Allis from 1988 until 2000. Fr. Cunningham has also been a member of the Serra Club of Milwaukee —West since 1984.
Since retiring, Fr. Cunningham has been working as a Christmas tree farmer in Eagle. He has also been serving the Latin Tridentine Community, National Regency Home, New Berlin, Lake Country Parishes of Waukesha County, and the Church of Madison in Jefferson County. He says of the church: “It’s a marvelous changeless, changing church. The kingdom is now … but not yet.”
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will be held June 4 at St. Mary Help of Christians at 9:30 a.m. A reception will follow in Fr. Setnicar Hall.
Fr. Kenneth J. Derfus
Born in Kaukauna to Henry and Anna Derfus (both deceased), Fr. Kenneth J. Derfus attended St. Mary School in Kaukauna and Immaculate Mary in Hudson Falls, New York. He is one of three children, including Franciscan Sr. Patricia Derfus. Fr. Derfus also attended Saint Francis Minor Seminary and Saint Francis Major Seminary. He was ordained May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee.
He began his priestly formation as an assistant pastor at St. Agnes, Milwaukee, in 1956. In 1963 he became a curate at St. Anne, Milwaukee. From 1967 to 1972 he was a member of the pastoral team at SS. Peter and Paul, Asuncion, Paraguay. In 1972 he became the pastor at St. Patrick in Milwaukee. He became the pastor at Our Lady of Good Hope in Milwaukee in 1978 and was appointed pastor at St. Leonard, Muskego, in 1986. In 1995 he became pastor of St. Peter Parish, East Troy.
He said of his years of priestly formation that he’s had excellent teachers and fellow priests. He’s had a lot of laughs and some tears.
Fr. James H. Duffy
Fr. James H. Duffy was born in Fond du Lac to Judge and Mrs. F. Ryan Duffy (both deceased), one of four children. He attended St. Robert School in Shorewood, Marquette University High School, and University of Wisconsin – Madison. He spent six years at Saint Francis Seminary. Fr. Duffy was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. Duffy began his priestly ministry at St. Bernard in Wauwatosa from 1956 to 1958. He then went to St. John in South Milwaukee from 1958 to 1962. He was the first director of Papal Volunteer Program for South America from 1962 to 1967. He joined the Madonna House Apostolate in Combermere, Candada in 1967. He served the Madonna House in Regina, Saskatchewon from 1958 to 1960, and in the West Indies from 1970 to 1980. Fr. Duffy initiated the pre-seminary formation program in Combermere from 1980 to 1993 and then served the Madonna House in Toronto from 1993 to 2005. He is currently the chaplain of the Madonna House Apostolate in Toronto.
He writes of his ministry, “Every day of being a diocesan priest, missionary, and chaplain into a lay apostolate; every day was a true joy!”
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving was held in May at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. George Fleishmann
Fr. Fleishmann was born in Milwaukee to Joseph and Ruth Fleishmann. He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. Fleishmann began his priestly ministry as an assistant at St. Boniface, Milwaukee, in 1956. In 1957 he was appointed assistant at Holy Trinity, Racine. In 1960 he began as an assistant at St. Leo, Milwaukee. He became a faculty member at De Sales Preparatory Seminary in 1963. Fr. Fleishmann was appointed associate pastor at St. Albert, Milwaukee, in 1973. In 1974, Fr. Fleishmann was named pastor at St. Cecilia, Thiensville. He then served as pastor at St. Anthony, Menomonee Falls, in 1981. In 1985 he was appointed pastor at Holy Trinity, Newburg. He retired June 21, 1994.
Of his years of priestly ministry, Fr. Fleishmann simply said that he is, “Humbly grateful.”
Bishop Raphael M. Fliss
Born to Paul and Valeria (both deceased) in Milwaukee, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss is one of four sons. He attended St. Hedwig and St. Elizabeth schools in Milwaukee, before graduating from St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, and Saint Francis Seminary, St. Francis. Bishop Fliss then attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and Lateran University in Rome.
He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Bishop Fliss began his priestly ministry as the temporary assistant pastor of Christ King, Wauwatosa, in 1956. He also served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He became the assistant chancellor, secretary and master of ceremonies to Archbishop Albert G. Meyer in 1957 and for Archbishop William E. Cousins in 1959. In 1969, Bishop Fliss became the vice chancellor, secretary and master of ceremonies to Archbishop Cousins. He was then appointed rector at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He was appointed coadjutor bishop with the right of succession in the Diocese of Superior in 1979. In 1985, he became bishop of the Diocese of Superior.
Fr. Joseph B. Frederick
Born in St. Francis to Joseph and Gertrude (both deceased), Fr. Joseph B. Frederick is one of six children. He attended Sacred Heart School, St. Francis, Saint Francis Minor Seminary, Marquette University, and Saint Francis Major Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. Frederick began his priestly ministry at Holy Angels, Milwaukee, from 1956 to 1963. From 1963 to 1970 he served at St. Veronica, Milwaukee. Next, his ministry took him to St. Bernard, Wauwatosa, from 1970 to 1972. From 1972 to 1979 he was at St. Anne, Milwaukee. He went back to St. Veronica from 1979 to 1999.
He said of his years of ministry, “It’s a wonderful way to spend one’s life; to work with the Lord and with the people of God. The laity have been great; so many times they have inspired me. It’s amazing when one thinks about the many wonderful things we are entrusted to do at so many terribly important moments of life. I’m grateful to the Lord for every aspect of the past 50 years.”
Fr. Erwin H. Matt
Fr. Erwin H. Matt was born in Milwaukee to Erwin and Wilma, as one of two sons. He attended Holy Angels Parish School, Messmer High School, and Marquette University. He also attended Saint Francis Seminary. Fr. Matt was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee.
He began his priestly ministry at SS. Cyril and Methodius, Sheboygan, from 1956 to 1957. He worked at Saint Francis Minor Seminary and De Sales Preparatory Seminary from 1957 to 1980. He was assigned to St. John Kanty, Milwaukee, in 1980 to 1981. He then went to Notre Dame of Elm Grove from 1981 to 1995.
Fr. Matt also served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman from 1945 to 1947.
Fr. Richard Schlenker
Born in Kenosha to Anthony and Flora Schlenker (both deceased), Fr. Richard Schlenker attended St. George Elementary School and St. Catherine High School in Racine. He then received a master’s degree from Marquette University and a doctorate from Aquinas Institute of Theology.
Fr. Schlenker was ordained May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee.
He began his priestly ministry at St. Mary Parish, Burlington, from 1956 to 1965, then went to Pio Nono High School from 1965 to 1970. Following that, he went to Saint Francis de Sales College Seminary and the School of Pastoral Ministry from 1970 to 1987. From 1982 to 1985, he also taught part time at Marquette University. From 1986 to 1998 he taught at Sacred Heart School of Theology. From 1982 to 2000, he was involved with the Roman Catholic-United Methodist Dialogue.
Fr. Herbert B. Schubert
Born in Milwaukee to Bernard and Theresa Schubert, Fr. Herbert B. Schubert also has a sister, Dorothy Chonacki. He attended grade school at the Basilica of St. Josaphat, St. Stanislaus High School and Saint Francis Minor Seminary. He received a bachelor’s degree from Saint Francis Seminary.
Upon ordination, he was placed at St. Adalbert, Milwaukee, from 1956 to 1963. He then went to Blessed Sacrament, Milwaukee, from 1963 to 1968. Next, he went to St. Lawrence, Milwaukee, 1968 to 1975, before going back to St. Adalbert from 1975 to 2001. He is now retired.
Fr. Schubert served on the Priest Senate, as well as the Priest Personnel Board, Pension Board and currently on the St. Michael’s Priest Fund. He is also a member of the Milwaukee-Pere Marquette Council of the Knights of Columbus and of the Bishop Henni Assembly Number 1196 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at the Basilica of St. Josaphat on June 4 at 4 p.m. There will be a reception at Serb Hall at 6 p.m.
Fr. Russell Tikalsky
Born in Milwaukee to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Tikalsky (both deceased), Fr. Russell Tikalsky is one of three children. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas grade school, Saint Francis High School and Saint Francis Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. Tikalsky began his priestly ministry as an associate pastor of St. Matthias, Milwaukee, from 1956 to 1959. He then became the associate pastor of St. John de Nepomuc, Milwaukee, from 1959 to 1961. He was appointed associate pastor of Christ King, Milwaukee, from 1961 to 1964. Next, he became associate pastor of St. William Parish, Waukesha, from 1964 to 1967. He was a chaplain and counselor at St. Luke Hospital from 1969 to 1970. From 1967 to 1969, he was a part time chaplain and counselor at UWM Newman Center, Milwaukee. From 1970 to 1972 he was the pastor for Experimental Parish John XXIII, Milwaukee. He was the director of Office for Lay Missionaries at the Latin American Office, Milwaukee, from 1967 to 1984. He worked as a chaplain and counselor at Cardinal Stritch University from 1973 to 1975. From 1975 to 1980, he was a chaplain and counselor at Mount Mary College, Milwaukee. From 1980 to 1993 he was a chaplain at Zablocki VA Medical Center. From 1983 to 2006, he served as a chaplain for Catholic Singles, Milwaukee. From 1996 to 2003, he was a chaplain at Columbia-St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee.
He says of his priestly ministry, “I enjoy the variety of my priestly ministry. I intend to continue to service the church in different parishes and nursing homes. My priesthood has been most rewarding serving and being inspired by wonderful religious sisters and laity.”
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at St. John Vianney, Brookfield, Sunday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m.
Fr. Ray Wawiorka
Born in Kenosha, Fr. Ray Wawiorka is one of three children of Peter and Bernice Wawiorka (both deceased). He attended St. Casimir Elementary School in Kenosha. He then attended St. Bonaventure High School, Sturtevant, and Saint Francis Minor and Saint Francis Major Seminary. Fr. Wawiorka was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee.
He began his priestly ministry at St. Adalbert from 1956 to 1966. He then spent the next 27 years dedicated to health care ministry, including as chaplain at St. Luke’s Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital, as well as chaplain of the Archdiocesan Catholic Physician’s Guild. He also taught clinical pastoral education for 20 years. From 1993 to 1996 he was the administrator of St. Vincent de Paul, Milwaukee. From 1996 to 1999 he was the pastoral administrator of St. Anthony, Kenosha. He retired from active ministry in 1999.
A Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered Sunday, May 28 at St. Elizabeth Parish in Kenosha.
Fr. Edward Wieland
Fr. Edward Wieland was born in Milwaukee to Raymond and Irene Wieland (both deceased). He attended grade school at Immaculate Conception, high school at Saint Francis Minor Seminary, Saint Francis Seminary and Marquette University, from which he received a master’s degree in education.
He was ordained May 26, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He began his priestly ministry at St. Jude, Wauwatosa, from 1956 to 1963 and from 1978 to 1979. He taught at De Sales Seminary High School from 1963 to 1977. Then he went to Holy Name Parish, Sheboygan, from 1977 to 1978. He went to St. Peter, Beaver Dam, from 1979 to 1990. He retired from Holy Apostles, New Berlin, where he served from 1990 to 1998.
He wrote, “I have been privileged to serve wonderful people, young and old, wherever I have been sent.”
Fr. Donald Hmircik
Fr. Victor Zwaska
40 Years
Fr. Thaddeus Bryl
Fr. Joseph Coerber
Fr. Joseph Hornacek
Fr. Richard Mirsberger
Fr. John Pulice
Fr. Allan Sommer
25 Years
Fr. John Seungchi Baek
Fr. John Seungchi Baek was born in Wonju, South Korea to Sugino Yoshio (deceased) and Baek Sungbok. He has four sisters and three brothers. Fr. Baek attended Myongyoon Elementary School in Wonju, and Sonshin Minor Seminary in Seoul. He attended Catholic University in Seoul. He was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 24, 1981 in Wonju, South Korea.
He began his priestly ministry as pastor at Pyungchang Taejang parishes in South Korea. From 1990 to 1994 he was the director of social work for the bureau of Wonja Diocese. From 1994 to 1998 he was a chaplain at the Korean Apostolate in New York. From 1998 to 2002 he was appointed pastor of Bukpyong Parish in South Korea. From 2002-2004, he held the position of chaplain of the Korean Apostolate in London, Ontario, Canada. He is pastor at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Milwaukee.
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will be held June 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene. A reception will follow at noon.
Fr. Tom Biersack
Born in West Bend to Leonard (deceased) and Mary Biersack, Fr. Tom Biersack was one of six children. He attended St. Mary School in West Bend, DeSales Preparatory, Milwaukee, and Saint Francis Minor and Major Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1981 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. Biersack began his priestly ministry at Mother of Perpetual Help, Milwaukee, from 1981 to 1987. He was appointed to St. Mary, Port Washington, from 1987-1993. From 1993-2005 he served at St. Alphonsus, New Munster. Since 2005 he has served St. Mary, Mayville, and St. Andrew, LeRoy.
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Fr. Robert Berghammer in May at St. Alphonsus, New Munster, and St. Mary, Mayville.
Fr. Brian T. Holbus
Born in Racine to Joseph and Jean, Fr. Brian T. Holbus is one of seven children, including his twin brother, Barry. He attended Sacred Heart School, Racine, J.I. Case High School, Racine, and Saint Francis Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1981 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Fr. Holbus began his priestly ministry at Immaculate Conception, Burlington, and also taught at Catholic Central High School, Burlington, from 1981 to 1987. From 1987 to 1990 he was placed at St. Joseph, Wauwatosa. He taught at St. Joseph High School, Kenosha, from 1990 to 1994. During his last year of teaching, he also served as pastor at St. Therese, Kenosha. He remained there until 2002. Since 2002 he has served at St. Andrew, Delavan.
Fr. Holbus’ jubilee celebration will take place June 3 at St. Andrew, Delavan.
Fr. Michael F. Merkt
Born in Milwaukee, as one of seven children of Bernice and Herbert Merkt (both deceased), Fr. Michael F. Merkt attended Holy Apostles School, New Berlin. He then attended St. Lawrence Seminary High School and received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Detroit. He later received a master’s of social work degree specializing in marriage and family counseling from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
He began in the Capuchin order and was ordained a priest June 21, 1981 at Holy Apostles. His first assignment was associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul in Huntington, Ind., from 1983 to 1984. He then became the associate pastor of Holy Cross, Mt. Calvary, until 1987. He became the temporary administrator for St. Charles Indian Mission in Pryor, Mont., before working as a counselor for family services in Milwaukee from 1988 to 1990. Next, he went to St. Bernard in Billings, Mont., from 1990 to 1991. In 1991, he began the process of leaving the Capuchins to incardinate into the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. From 1991 to 1994, he was associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament, Milwaukee, and was the associate pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven, West Allis, from 1994 to 99. Since 1999, he has been the pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven.
“I am grateful for the many people who have been a part of my life through the past 25 years,” he wrote.
A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving will be held June 18 at Mary Queen of Heaven, at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
Society of Christ
Fr. Andrzej Galant
Fr. Ronald Kowalski
Fr. Robert McDermott
Fr. Kevin Ori
(Diocese of Issle-Uku, Nigeria)
10 Years
Fr. Gary Nowicki
Pallottine Fr. Steve Varghese
