Two priests of the Diocese of Green Bay become naturalized U.S. citizens

By Nancy Barthel | For On Mission

GREEN BAY, WI — With the 250th celebration of the Declaration of Independence just a few months away, the Diocese of Green Bay had some historic news of its own on March 24, 2026, when two international priests serving here became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Fr. Celestine Byekwaso, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Marinette, and Fr. Nonito Barra, administrator of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Neenah, were supported in their journeys by Laurie Martinez, immigration services manager for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay.

For the second year, the Lambeau Field Atrium was the site of the naturalization ceremony. A total of 124 people from 37 countries became naturalized U.S citizens that day. 

The ceremony was hosted in partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. 

Tiffany Woelfel, a U.S. magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, presided over the ceremony and administered the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.

“Citizenship in this country is not a small thing to obtain,” Woelfel said to the new citizens. “It takes time, perseverance and often great sacrifice.”

With the ceremony now a few weeks past, Fr. Celestine and Fr. Barra reflected on the journeys that led each of them to become U.S. citizens.

Fr. Celestine’s journey

Fr. Celestine, who is from the Diocese of Kasana-Luweero in Uganda, arrived in the Diocese of Green Bay in 2005.

By age 10 or 11, Fr. Celestine said he knew he wanted to be a priest. 

“One of my great uncles was a priest,” he said, recalling how his great uncle chanted in Latin while wearing his cassock. “I just wanted to be like him. That’s how my vocation started.”

After his ordination in 1982, Fr. Celestine taught for 10 years, then was sent to Europe to study spirituality, earning his licentiate in sacred theology.

He originally came to the United States for more education. The plan was to study at University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, then return home to teach.

“Then my bishop at the time, he asked me to come here to do some mission work, some fundraising for the diocese in Uganda. So we looked for dioceses who would take me in,” Fr. Celestine said.

Then-Green Bay Bishop David Zubik responded and Fr. Celestine met him for an interview. The two bishops agreed he would stay in the Diocese of Green Bay “on one condition,” he said, “that I would work in a parish so that the two dioceses would profit from my ministry.”

“During summer, I would concentrate on mission talks for the diocese in Uganda and, after the mission appeals, I would concentrate on mission work here,” Fr. Celestine said.

When it came to U.S. citizenship, “I thought about it, I prayed about it. After praying about it, I talked to some people,” he said, and then met with Martinez to explore citizenship.

Fr. Barra’s journey

Fr. Barra said he served for several years in different roles in the Archdiocese of Caceres, the Philippines, before coming to the Diocese of Green Bay in August 2014. 

He said he continues to be “on loan” to the diocese.

“This is part of our mission program in our diocese,” Fr. Barra said, estimating there are about 40 priests from the Archdiocese of Caceres serving all over the world.

“It was a long process,” he said of becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. 

“Before you become one, you need first to become a permanent resident of the United States for five years (with a green card) and then, after being here as a permanent resident for five years, you need to apply and then, of course, take the test, the interview,” Fr. Barra said. 

“It was so good because I learned a lot of things about the United States of America, the history, the politics, the economy. It was a long process, but it was a good experience,” he said, adding, “It was fun.”

March 24 was a special day at the Lambeau Field Atrium, he said. 

“It was so for me. It was a great experience, seeing a lot of people coming from other places and other countries, wanting to become part of this great nation,” Fr. Barra said.

Both priests said they were celebrated at school Masses after the naturalization ceremony.

‘It’s like a magical event’

Martinez described the naturalization ceremony as “magical.”

About 10 people who became naturalized U.S. citizens at the Lambeau ceremony were assisted by the Immigration Services of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay, she said. 

For 22 years, Martinez has coordinated the detailed paperwork requirements for priests and religious who come from outside of the country to serve in the Diocese of Green Bay.

She said she was proud that her own daughter, Larissa Martinez, gave the introduction for the ceremony. She is the corporate giving coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

“Everybody’s had a different journey to get to this final step (of citizenship). It’s a happy day. Everybody’s so excited. … It’s a really good feeling. It’s like a magical event,” Martinez said.

The cost to begin the process for naturalization as a U.S. citizen is $760.

In September 2025, USCIS revamped its required civics test for naturalized U.S. citizens, increasing the number of questions from 100 to 128. 

Have you ever wondered how you would do? 

Find out at this link: uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/2025-Civics-Test-128-Questions-and-Answers.pdf.

TLAXIACO, MX — Fr. John Reuter, a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay who served over 56 years in Mexico, died on March 27, 2026, at the age of 84, in Tlaxiaco, Mexico.

Fr. Reuter was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on December 14, 1941, the first of three children of Frederick and Genevieve (Theiss) Reuter. His home parish was Holy Cross Parish, Kaukauna. He attended high school and junior college at Sacred Heart Seminary, Oneida. He continued to study philosophy and theology at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating in 1967.

On May 27, 1967, Fr. Reuter was ordained a priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral by Bishop John Grellinger. Fr. Reuter began his ministry as assistant at St. Joseph Parish in Wautoma and then at St. Mary Parish in Menasha.

Impressed by the great need for priests in the Diocese of Tapachula, Mexico, where he had served as a temporary deacon, he was granted a leave of absence to do pastoral work in the Diocese of Tapachula, July 1, 1970. There, he served as vicar of the central region of the diocese; coordinator of the priests’ senate; and a consultor of the Diocese of Tapachula. 

He also served in Escuintla, Chiapas, for one year as assistant and then for half a year as pastor. When Escuintla was divided in two, Fr. Reuter went to serve in the new part, Acapetahua, Chiapas, and was its founding pastor. He served there for seven and a half years.

On September 10, 1979, he moved to work in the Archdiocese of Oaxaca, Mexico. In Oaxaca, he was assigned to the parish of Santa María Yucuhiti as pastor. He was the vicar of the Tlaxiaco District; a member of the priests’ senate for three three-year terms. He was granted multiple extensions for permission to work in Mexico from 1984 onward, with permission granted in 1991 to accept pastoral assignments in the Archdiocese of Oaxaca. 

In 2009, he was granted permission to continue working in the archdiocese until age 75 if he wished. Fr. Reuter served as pastor amidst 25,000 Mixteco Indians in 23 communities in the mountains of southern Mexico until his death. 

He wrote the following: “What joy it is to serve among those for whom he formed his kingdom — the blessed poor … those left behind by the world but first in Christ’s heart.”

A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 24, at 11 a.m., at Holy Cross Parish, 309 Desnoyer St., Kaukauna, Wisconsin, with Bishop David Ricken as celebrant. Burial took place in Mexico, quickly following his death, attended by multitudes of the faithful.

RACINE, WI — Sr. Marie Anna (Rose de Lima) Stelmach, OP, died on April 8, 2026, at the Racine Dominican Motherhouse, Racine, Wisconsin.

She was born July 10, 1945, to John and Jean (Kaczmarczyk) Stelmach in Baltimore, Maryland. Her home parish was St. Rose of Lima, Baltimore. She made profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa in 1965 and received the religious name Sr. Rose de Lima. She earned a bachelor of arts in math and theology from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, Illinois; a master of divinity from Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mahwah, New Jersey; a master of arts in theology from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey; and a registered nurse degree from Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing, Richmond, Virginia.

Her ministry was dedicated to teaching, pastoral care, missionary work, and health care. She taught at Visitation School, Chicago; All Saints School, Los Angeles; St. Clement School, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and Our Lady of Refuge School, Bronx, New York. She served as a missionary in the Diocese of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad. Sr. Marie Anna served as director of religious education at St. Patrick Parish, Rockford, Illinois; Sacred Heart Parish, Washington, D.C.; and for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. She ministered as a CPE resident at Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu; chaplain at St. John’s Medical Center, Longview, Washington; and director of chaplaincy at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. She then worked for the United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons in both the medical center in Lexington, Kentucky, and the camp in Morgantown, West Virginia, as chaplain and director of the department. 

Sr. Marie Anna then worked in parish ministry at St. Jane de Chantal Church, Bethesda, Maryland; was director of prison ministry at Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association, Washington, D.C.; and was a medical/surgical/hospice RN with Bon Secours Health System, Richmond. She served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as an RN at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. She volunteered as an RN for the Dominican Sisters at Stair Crest.      

Sr. Marie Anna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two sisters, Helen Wyczalek and Jean (Mike) Huether; nieces; and her Dominican Sisters. 

The funeral Mass will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at Stair Crest Senior Living Community’s Faith and Fellowship Hall, Muskego, Wisconsin. Casey-McNett Funeral Home is handling arrangements.       

Memorials may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, or given online at sinsinawa.org/donate.

DE PERE, WI — Knights on the Fox, St. Norbert College’s award-winning outdoor concert series and a 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award nominee for Best Outdoor Concert Series, returns for its 23rd season with free live music along the scenic banks of the Fox River.

The concert series takes place Tuesday evenings from June 30 through August 4 near the gazebo area at Ray Van Den Heuvel Family Campus Center, featuring live performances from 6:30-8 p.m. The family-friendly events are free and open to the public and offer a relaxed summer atmosphere on the St. Norbert College campus.

With themed nights, popular regional bands, and special community celebrations, each week offers something new. Guests are welcome to drive to campus or dock their boats, bring lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic or enjoy food available on campus.

Community members are encouraged to vote for Knights on the Fox as the Best Outdoor Concert Series and help showcase one of Northeast Wisconsin’s favorite summer traditions. Voting is open now and closes May 11.

Vote here: 10best.usatoday.com/awards/knights-on-fox-de-pere-wisconsin/ 

For more information and the event schedule, visit snc.edu/kotf. 

HSHS names chief nursing officer for Wisconsin Market

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, has announced that Jennifer Morton, DNP, MSN, RN, has been named chief nursing officer (CNO) for the HSHS Wisconsin Market. She begins her role May 4, 2026.

As CNO, Morton will oversee nursing functions, best practices, and operational efficiencies across HSHS hospitals in Northeast Wisconsin: HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, HSHS Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

“Nursing is the heart of every healthcare organization, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support and champion this team in Wisconsin,” Morton said. “Together, we’ll continue building on the incredible work already happening — work that is rooted in respect, accountability and innovation, ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of care.”

Morton joins HSHS with extensive healthcare management skills and nursing leadership experience. Most recently, she served as the national senior director of nursing practice for Ascension. She received her bachelor of science in nursing, her master’s in nursing administration and her doctor of nursing practice all from Jacksonville University. Additionally, she was featured in Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and is a member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).

“As we build on our strong tradition of nursing excellence, we are excited to welcome Jennifer as our chief nursing officer,” said Bob Erickson, president and CEO, HSHS Wisconsin Market. “Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our nursing practice, empowering our teams and continuing to shape the future of patient care.”

For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.

By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission

I don’t know if you have had this experience, but I had it the other day. Someone comes up to me and starts talking to me like we know each other. I look at them, and I know them, and that our paths have crossed. But I don’t know how I know them. Do I know them from parish life, from a talk I’ve given, or an event I attended? Then what happens, as it did just a few weeks ago, about 10 minutes later, I place the person and remember the connection to who they are. The story they shared makes much more sense. I recognized them and didn’t recognize them. 

In the Gospel of the Road to Emmaus, it says that the two disciples walking along the road were prevented from recognizing Jesus. Jesus drew near and conversed with them. Their initial conversation turned to the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday — Jesus crucified and the reported empty tomb. As the conversation continues, Jesus helps the two recognize the connection between the Old Testament and the events that just happened. 

Their time together ends with the breaking of the bread: Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. And in that moment, the unrecognized Jesus disappears, and the disciples’ hearts burn within, knowing that Christ was with them in the resurrection and that they now recognize him in the breaking of the bread. 

For us now, we must recognize him in the breaking of the bread, in the Eucharist we celebrate, receive, and adore. We know what the Church teaches: Jesus is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. But do we see the Eucharist as Jesus? Do we believe it is him? Do we receive him in holy Communion knowing that we are one with the Lord who died for us and redeemed us? Our lives, hearts, minds, and souls must be formed to recognize him. 

When we adore the Eucharist during the elevation at Mass, people commonly quietly say, “My Lord and my God.” Early on in my priesthood, I began adding in my personal prayer at that moment, “Truly it is you!” It was a reminder to me, in that moment, whose presence was in my hands. The elevation at Mass is extended through Eucharistic adoration, when we can spend time in his presence, have our hearts convicted that he is with us, and help us recognize him in the Eucharist. 

Our weekly attendance at Mass, and for some even more frequent, will help us recognize the Lord rather than struggle to know that he is with us. Through the Mass and adoration, Jesus will become more familiar to us, and we will recognize him more readily. 

The readings for Sunday, April 19, can be found at Third Sunday of Easter | USCCB.

Fr. Edward Looney serves as the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano. He is an author and podcaster, with a presence on various social media platforms under the handle @FrEdwardLooney.

Vida Medical Clinic’s new initiative unites members of the Northeast Wisconsin Christian community with prayer and a common mission

By William Van de Planque | On Mission

APPLETON, WI — Vida Medical Clinic, a non-profit that provides medical services, material support, parent education and more to families and expectant mothers across Northeast Wisconsin, began a new initiative in January called Vida Prayer Warriors.

Vida Prayer Warriors, an online program that allows users to sign up for and commit to an hour of prayer for specific intentions, was launched in collaboration with PlanHero and Friends of Vida, a non-profit that supports the work and ministry of Vida Medical Clinic through volunteering, prayer, financial gifts and more.

“People can go and sign up for an hour, not unlike adoration, and just offer up their time in prayer for an hour,” said Anne Tretinyak, executive director of Vida Medical Clinic. “Our goal is to get every single one of those spots filled so that we can say to a mother in the maternity home in the middle of the night who needs help with her little one from a staff member, ‘Someone is praying for you right now.’ Or a nurse can say to a woman in the medical clinic who is contemplating an abortion, ‘There are people praying for you right now.’”

Originally founded as Mother and Unborn Baby Care in 1983, Vida Medical Clinic launched the Vida Prayer Warriors project in the midst of recent significant growth in clients and need for Vida’s services.

“With the growing need in the community and what’s happening now with chemical abortions (being done) in the home, we felt like we needed to take a knee and just really pray for God’s protection over this ministry and over everyone we are serving,” Tretinyak said.

Over the years, Vida Medical Clinic has expanded from providing material support only to providing educational support to both dads and moms, along with fellowship opportunities and playdates, and now community spiritual support.

“Originally, with pregnancy resource centers, the main objective was to really support, encourage, and lift up young women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy with just material support,” Tretinyak said. “As time passed, we got a lot more sophisticated and expanded our services.”

Roughly six years ago, the Appleton location was serving about 20-30 women in a month. Now, 250 individuals are served every month. With the influx of need, Vida Medical Clinic has also expanded through new locations, the most recent in Green Bay, which opened in late February of this year. 

“This is the Church’s response to the question of, ‘If I make a life decision, who will be there for me; who will help me?’” Tretinyak said. “We are going to walk with you as long as it takes for you to stabilize your family and your life.”

As a Christian organization, “prayer forms the very heartbeat of Vida’s ministry,” she said. “We start every day in prayer with the team. We pray for all of our donors, all of our clients, residents and patients, and we pray for all of our volunteers and their families.”

All the locations, including the maternity home staff, call in for the morning prayer. 

Another example of Vida keeping prayer at the heart of its ministry is its annual banquet, at which Vida invites different pastors from a local parish or church to lead a prayer service. Bishop David Ricken led the prayer service a couple of years ago, Tretinyak said.

“Every time we can take a knee and say, ‘Lord, we need your protection, and we need the Holy Spirit to come and inform all that we do here,’ we do,” Tretinyak said.

Vida Medical Clinic partners with Catholic parishes and other Christian churches in Northeast Wisconsin to spread awareness about and gain support for its mission. More recently, its 130 church partners were invited in a new way to support Vida Medical Clinic with prayer.

“I think that’s what makes this Prayer Warriors project so powerful, is (that) we’re uniting the Church in prayer for protection for the smallest cell of the Church, the family, and the smallest cell of the smallest cell being the preborn,” Tretinyak said. 

Megan Kugel, a volunteer of Vida Medical Clinic who currently works as the social communications and IT coordinator at St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Oshkosh, sees Vida Prayer Warriors as an opportunity for Christians to unite in defense of the family and human dignity.

“One of my largest motivations for offering prayers for Vida is the recognition that we need to pray for our families,” she said. “We need to pray for moms and dads, for those who are dating, and those who are in different aspects of family life. I very much agree with Pope John Paul II when he mentioned the ‘culture of life and the culture of death.’”

Vida Prayer Warriors is an opportunity for Christians to advocate for the pro-life cause peacefully, Kugel said.

“Participating in the Vida Prayer Warriors is a peaceful way,” she said. “So much of the pro-life and pro-choice debate leads to division and anger, and being a prayer warrior is a way of peace and surrender; it’s a way of offering your prayers and allowing God to do the rest.”

A few years ago, Kugel became involved with Bella, a medical clinic in Oshkosh that recently merged with Vida, as a volunteer photographer and videographer.

“I still do photography, now that Bella partnered with Vida,” she said. “But, it has been a gift to help in other ways, like Vida Prayer Warriors.”

The Vida Prayer Warriors project began with conversations between Kugel and Tretinyak when Vida Medical Clinic offered an event where community members had the opportunity to have coffee with Tretinyak. 

“I attended the event because I just really wanted to let Anne (Tretinyak) know that she and Vida were being prayed for,” Kugel said. “We ended up discussing the story of Moses’ arms being held up by Aaron and Hur, and from that discussion, we began having more conversations on Vida Prayer Warriors, and that’s how it really started to take shape.”

Kugel’s Catholic faith and prayer life have always been important to her, and she recognizes the importance of action to follow times of prayer.

“Being involved in my faith is very important to me,” she said. “I believe we do need to take time to sit and be before Jesus, and then from that time, we know that prayer can bear fruit. Oftentimes, the actions that we do are 10 times more fruitful because we’ve sat in the silence and we’ve sat with Jesus and truly listened to him and what he is asking.”

Vida Prayer Warriors is a great way for people to give hope to the staff at Vida Medical Clinic “as they share hope with mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy and provide resources for families,” Kugel said.

“People might ask, ‘Can’t I just pray? Why do I need to sign up?’” she said. “Signing up to pray is like sending Vida a card or email saying ‘I’m praying for you.’”

Those who sign up with PlanHero receive a monthly notice that highlights the specific prayer intentions for that month, Tretinyak said.

Those who sign up can also submit their phone numbers to receive text updates and even sync their PlanHero prayer commitments to their mobile phone calendars.

To learn more about Vida Prayer Warriors, visit: onmiss.io/vidaprayerwarriors

To learn more about the services of Vida Medical Clinic, visit: onmiss.io/vida

By Maria Cintorino, FAITH Catholic | For On Mission

In life and death Mary Magdalene desired to be physically close to her Lord. We see this in the account of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene on Easter Sunday. Mary remains by the empty tomb weeping, seeking the Lord’s body which she believes has been stolen. 

When Christ appears to his grieving friend, Mary reaches out to touch her Lord as she so often had done before – perhaps, this time to ensure she will not lose him again. Yet Christ reprimands Mary, forbidding her to touch him as he has not yet ascended to his Father.

This response can seem baffling. Why does Christ dismiss Mary Magdalene? Isn’t the desire to cling to God good? Doesn’t God want us to desire him and cling to him? After all, St. Teresa of Calcutta often repeated: Jesus thirsts for us. He desires us exclusively.

Our desire to embrace and remain with God is indeed good. The fact that we yearn for this is in itself a grace from God. Therefore, Jesus is not dismissing Mary’s desire; rather, he instructs Mary how she must hold fast to him after his ascension.

The Ascension will leave Mary unable to cling to Christ’s body in the manner she has been accustomed to before the Resurrection. Christ understands this and wishes to fulfill Mary’s desire for himself in a deeper and more permanent way. He prepares Mary to cling to him in a more intimate way through his Church. There Christ will sanctify Mary, giving her his very life – grace – through the sacraments, most especially through the gift of his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist.

Through this sacrament, Mary can cleave to her risen Lord forever, adoring and receiving him and recalling his presence within her. There he will unite himself to her, conform herself to him, remain with her and continually increase his presence within her soul. In return, Mary can continually unite herself to Christ, giving him her very self, and share her joys and sufferings with her Eucharistic Lord.

As with Mary Magdalene, we, too, at times find ourselves wishing to reach out to touch Christ throughout our day. We may wish merely to touch the hem of his garments when asking for healing for ourselves or a loved one; grace when tempted or struggling with sin; in moments of uncertainty; or when we sorely need patience. Other times we may simply wish to see Christ present when relaying our joys and sorrows, believing that this will bring comfort and peace.

Yet, as St. John Chrysostom preached, we, too, touch Jesus. We see Jesus. We consume him. We are made one with him. He dwells in our souls. There is no closer union than this. Every time we present our needs and lives to Christ, remain in his presence in front of the Blessed Sacrament and receive him in the Eucharist, we touch Christ. With each Holy Communion, we become more intimately united to the living God as there he cleanses us of our venial sins and increases his presence in our souls. But do we realize this? Do we seek Jesus in the Eucharist and unite ourselves to him?

It takes faith to encounter the Eucharistic Lord in this way. But when we do, we find Jesus heals us, comforts us, strengthens us, accompanies us and ultimately fulfills our deepest desire – the desire for himself. Through the Eucharist, we can forever cling to Jesus, and he to us. There we are made one with him.

Maria Cintorino holds a degree in theology. Her writings have appeared in several publications including Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Our Sunday Visitor and the National Catholic Register.

Bishop Ricken expressed his gratitude for priests’ service in the diocese

By William Van de Planque | On Mission 

Photography by Andy Bott | For On Mission

GREEN BAY, WI — Bishop David Ricken blessed the sacramental oils and Sacred Chrism, which will be used throughout the diocese in the coming year, and served as the principal celebrant at this year’s Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Newly elected Abbot Bradley Vanden Branden of St. Norbert Abbey served as principal concelebrant.

During the Mass, the priests were invited to renew their commitment of service, supported by the prayers of the people of the diocese and represented by the faithful who had gathered for the Mass. 

Bishop Ricken highlighted the tradition of the ministry of the priesthood in his homily. 

“It’s wonderful to be here with the priests of our diocese, and with all of you, I want to express great gratitude for their service to the people of God sacramentally, pastorally, and in pastoral leadership through charity,” Bishop Ricken said. “Thank you, brothers.”

He also drew from themes in his recent pastoral invitation, “Sent On Mission: A Pastoral Invitation to Share Jesus with Others,” exhorting those gathered to continue to entrust themselves to the Holy Spirit and encouraging outreach in their communities.

“A single invitation, offered in love, can change a life,” he said.

Those gathered included the priests of the Diocese of Green Bay, members of the diaconate community, members of the Crozier Society, diocesan curia staff, parish staff and members of the parishes in the Northeast and Peninsula vicariates, and representatives and students from all the Catholic high schools throughout the diocese.

Representatives from a variety of diocesan-wide ministries and apostolates were also present, including Spiritus Ministries, Camp Tekakwitha, and the Catholic campus ministries of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and St. Norbert College.

Sisters from different religious orders in the diocese were present, including those from the Missionaries of the Word, New Genesis, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, and Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

See more photos here: onmiss.io/2026chrismmassphotos 

Vicariate I – Northeast

Rev. Hanz Christian Borbor concludes his appointment as Administrator of St. Anthony Parish, Neopit, and St. Michael Parish, Keshena, as of June 30, 2026, and at the same time concluding his faculties for the Diocese as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. Juan Tejerero, Jr. has been appointed Administrator of St. Anthony Parish, Neopit, and St. Michael Parish, Keshena, effective July 1, 2026.

Rev. Edward Looney concludes his appointment as Priest Moderator of St. Casimir Parish, Krakow, and Priest Moderator of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, effective June 30, 2026.

Vicariate II – Green Bay West

Dcn. Todd Raether concludes his appointment as Pastoral Leader of St. Casimir, Krakow, as of June 30, 2026, while continuing as Pastoral Leader of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil.

Rev. Kyle Sladek has been appointed Administrator of St. Casimir, Krakow, as well as Priest Moderator and Priest Celebrant of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, effective July 1, 2026. In addition, he has been appointed as Defender of the Bond, along with canonical assistance to Very Rev. John Girotti, Vicar of Canonical Services and Very Rev. Brian Belongia, Judicial Vicar, effective July 1, 2026.

Rev. Erick Ondieki, OFM Conv., has been appointed Administrator of St. Benedict Parish, Suamico, and St. Pius Parish, Little Suamico, effective June 1, 2026.  At the same time concluding as Administrator of Annunciation/Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, St. Joseph Parish, and St. Jude Parish, Green Bay, as of May 31, 2026.

Rev. Leonard Wambui, OFM Conv., has been appointed Administrator of Annunciation/Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, St. Joseph Parish, St. Jude Parish, Green Bay, effective June 1, 2026. At the same time, concluding appointment as Parochial Vicar of same parishes on May 31, 2026. He will continue as Priest Celebrant of St. Patrick Parish, Green Bay.

Vicariate III – Southwest

Rev. Ryan Starks has been appointed Pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament, Oshkosh, effective July 1, 2026. At the same time concluding as Pastor of St. Therese, Appleton, and Chaplain of St. Francis Xavier High School effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. Douglas LeCaptain has been appointed Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Waupaca, effective July 1, 2026. At the same time, concluding as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Manitowoc, as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. Rommel Dacoco concludes his appointment as Temporary Administrator of St. Mary Magdalene, Waupaca, effective June 30, 2026, and at the same time, concluding his faculties for the Diocese as of June 30, 2026.

Dcn. Paul Vidmar concludes his appointment as Pastoral Leader of St. Mary Parish, Winneconne and St. Mary Parish, Omro, effective June 30, 2026.

Very Rev. W Thomas Long concludes his appointment as Priest Moderator of St. Paul Parish, Plainfield, and Priest Moderator and Priest Celebrant of St. Mary Parish, Winneconne and St. Mary Parish, Omro, effective June 30, 2026. He has been appointed Priest Moderator and Priest Celebrant of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Oshkosh, while continuing as Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Oshkosh. He has been appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Winneconne and St. Mary Parish, Omro, effective July 1, 2026, and concluding August 31, 2026.

Dcn. Brad Gallenberg has been appointed Pastoral Leader of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Oshkosh, effective July 1, 2026.

Rev. Zachary Weber has been appointed Priest Celebrant of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Oshkosh, effective July 1, 2026, while continuing as Director of the Oshkosh Newman Center on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Very Rev. James Jugenheimer has been appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Stephensville, and St. Denis Parish, Shiocton, effective of July 1, 2026, and concluding August 31, 2026. He will continue as Pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Appleton.

Rev. Jaya Prakash Nemali has been appointed Priest Moderator of St. Paul Parish, Plainfield, effective July 1, 2026, while continuing as Priest Celebrant of same parish. He will continue as Administrator of St. Mark Parish, Redgranite and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Poy Sippi.

Vicariate IV – Fox Valley

Rev. Judah Ben Hur Pigon, MF, concludes his appointment as Administrator of St. Nicholas, Freedom, effective June 30, 2026. At the same time concluding his faculties for the Diocese as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. Bosco Aruldoss, MF, has been appointed as Administrator of St. Nicholas, Freedom, effective July 1, 2026.

Rev. Jon Thorsen has been appointed Pastor of St. Therese Parish, Appleton, effective July 1, 2026, while at the same time concluding as Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Chilton, effective May 31, 2026.

Rev. Andrew Kurz has been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton, effective July 1, 2026. At the same time, concluding as Diocesan Confessor for the Jubilee Year 2025, effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. Mark Mleziva has been appointed Administrator of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Greenville, effective July 1, 2026, while continuing as Chaplain of St. Mary Catholic High School, Neenah.  At the same time concluding as Vocations Director for the Diocese effective June 30, 2026.

Vicariate V – Southeast

Rev. Demosthenes Olaso has been appointed Temporary Administrator of Good Shepherd Parish, Chilton, effective June 1, 2026. At the same time concluding as Administrator of St. Benedict Parish, Suamico, and St. Pius Parish, Little Suamico, effective May 31, 2026.

Rev. Michael Warden has been appointed Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Manitowoc, effective July 1, 2026. At the same time concluding as Pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Greenville, effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. Michael Betley has requested and received senior priest status effective July 1, 2026. He concludes his appointment as Pastor of St. John-Sacred Heart Parish, Sherwood, St. Mary Parish, Hilbert, and St. Mary Parish, Stockbridge, as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. Robert Chinnapan, MF, has been appointed Administrator of St. John-Sacred Heart Parish, Sherwood, St. Mary Parish, Hilbert, and St. Mary Parish, Stockbridge, as of July 1, 2026.

Dcn. Robert Summers concludes his appointment as Pastoral Leader of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Two Rivers, effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. Louis Golamari has been appointed Administrator of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Two Rivers, effective July 1, 2026, at the same time concluding as Administrator of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Oshkosh, effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. David Pleier concludes his appointment as Priest Celebrant and Priest Moderator of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Two Rivers, effective June 30, 2026.

Vicariate VI – Green Bay East

Rev. Juan Zarate Avendano concludes his appointment as Administrator of St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Green Bay, effective June 30, 2026, and at the same time concluding his faculties for the Diocese as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. Jose Lopez Vargas has been appointed Pastor of St. Philip Parish, Green Bay, effective July 1, 2026, while continuing as Pastor of Ss Peter and Paul Parish, Green Bay.

Rev. Juan Carlos Altamirano Herrera has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Ss Peter and Paul Parish and St. Philip Parish, Green Bay, effective July 1, 2026.  At the same time concluding as Parochial Vicar of St Pius X Parish, Appleton, and St. Therese Parish, Appleton, effective June 30, 2026.

Rt Rev Dane Radecki, O Praem, has been appointed as Administrator of Holy Cross Parish, Green Bay, effective July 1, 2026.

Rt Rev Gary Neville, O Praem, concludes his assignment as Pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Green Bay, effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. Xavier Amirtham, O Praem, concludes his appointment as Administrator of All Saints Parish, Denmark, and St. Mary Parish, Glenmore/ Stark, effective June 30, 2026. At the same time, concluding his faculties for the Diocese as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. George Daniel has been appointed Administrator of All Saints Parish, Denmark, and St. Mary Parish, Glenmore/ Stark, effective July 1, 2026. At the same time concluding his appointment as Temporary Administrator of Holy Rosary Parish, Kewaunee, as of June 30, 2026.

Vicariate VII – Peninsula

Rev. Thomas Farrell has requested and received senior priest status effective July 1, 2026. He concludes his appointment as Pastor of Stella Maris Parish, Egg Harbor, effective June 30, 2026, while continuing as Chaplain to the Missionaries of the Word and the Northeast Chapter of Legatus.

Rev. Jerome Pastors has been appointed Pastor of Stella Maris Parish, Egg Harbor, effective July 1, 2026, at the same time concluding as Pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Oshkosh, effective June 30, 2026.

Rev. Peter Onyango, OFM Conv., has been appointed Administrator of Holy Rosary Parish, Kewaunee, effective July 1, 2026, while concluding as Parochial Vicar of St. Mary, Algoma, and St. Peter & St. Hubert, Lincoln/Rosiere, and Priest Celebrant of St. Casimir Parish, Krakow, and St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, as of June 30, 2026.

Vicariate VIII – Northwest

Rev. Kamal Gopu concludes his appointment as Parochial Vicar of Ss Mary & Hyacinth Parish, St. John Parish, Antigo, St. Wenceslaus Parish, Neva, and Ss James & Stanislaus Parish, White Lake, effective June 30, 2026. At the same time, concluding his faculties for the Diocese as of June 30, 2026.

Rev. Michael Thiel has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Ss Mary & Hyacinth Parish, St. John Parish, Antigo, St. Wenceslaus Parish, Neva, and Ss James & Stanislaus Parish, White Lake, effective July 1, 2026. At the same time, concluding as Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Stephensville, and St. Denis Parish, Shiocton, effective June 30, 2026.

Diocesan Appointment

Rev. Ben Pribbenow has been appointed Vocations Director for the Diocese of Green Bay, as well as Chaplain of St. Francis Xavier High School, Appleton, effective July 1, 2026.  At the same time, concludes as Parochial Vicar of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Oshkosh, and Priest Celebrant of St. Mary Parish, Winneconne and St. Mary Parish, Omro, and Most Blessed Sacrament, Oshkosh, and as Chaplain of Lourdes Academy, Oshkosh, effective June 30, 2026.

STOCKBRIDGE, MA — Bishop David Ricken will celebrate Divine Sunday Mass live on EWTN from The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Massachusetts this Sunday, April 12, at 12 p.m. CST. 

Bishop Ricken will join members of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Marian Fathers, Fr. Joseph Roesch, MIC, superior general of the Marian congregation, and Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, provincial superior, for the celebration on Sunday.

A one-hour Divine Mercy Pre-Show will precede the celebration of the Mass at 11 a.m. CST, hosted by the Marian Fathers. The theme for the program is “USA 250: One Nation Under God’s Mercy,” in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. 

Bishop Ricken will also be a special guest on the show ahead of the Mass, which will be a live international broadcast airing on the EWTN Global Catholic Network.

To watch live on EWTN, visit: dioc.io/ewtn.

In honor of upcoming National Volunteer Week, Hospital Sisters Health System recognizes hard work and dedication of volunteers

GREEN BAY, WI — In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2026, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls recognize the hard work, dedication and compassion of their volunteers. 

“HSHS volunteers, also known as partners, truly make a significant difference to everyone in our hospitals,” said Mary Ann Brunette, manager of volunteer services for the HSHS Wisconsin Market. “They immediately put people at ease, bringing comfort and cheer with their positive attitude. Our volunteers have our most sincere gratitude and appreciation.” 

In 2025, HSHS hospitals in the Wisconsin Market had 243 volunteers dedicate 26,550 hours to its ministries:

• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital had 91 volunteers put in 10,374 hours.
• HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center had 70 volunteers put in 7,230 hours.
• HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital had 62 volunteers put in 6,747 hours.
• HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital had 20 volunteers put in 2,199 hours. 

Volunteers often exceed the minimum suggested 50 hours of service per year commitment. HSHS verifies and carefully matches potential volunteer qualifications with hospital needs and standards. Services include: Distribution of holy Communion (commissioned Catholic Eucharistic ministers only), greeting and helping patients and their families navigate to appointments, tending to surgery waiting areas, serving in the hospital gift shops, office assistance, stocking supplies and special projects. 

“We are incredibly blessed to have dedicated, long-term volunteer partners that bring hope and healing to our patients, their families and our colleagues,” Brunette said. “Volunteers bring a great deal of joy to everyone they meet on a daily basis! They are truly an inspiration.” 

HSHS hospitals in Green Bay, Sheboygan and Oconto Falls welcome new volunteers to join their ministries. Those interested in volunteering for the following hospitals can find more information, as well as an online application, at these sites:

• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital: (920) 433-8561 or hshs.org/stvincent/volunteer
• HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center: (920) 498-4383 or hshs.org/stmarysgreenbay/volunteer
• HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital: (920) 459-4714 or hshs.org/stnicholas/volunteer
• HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital: (920) 433-8561 or hshs.org/stclare/volunteer 

On Easter Monday, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope Francis, who died at the same time last year

VATICAN — Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope Francis and called on Catholics to follow the late pontiff’s example in proclaiming the truth in a troubled world. 

Addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square April 6, the pope remembered his predecessor “who, on Easter Monday of last year, returned to the Lord.”

“As we recall his profound witness of faith and love, let us pray together to the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, that we may become ever more radiant heralds of the truth,” Pope Leo said before praying the “Regina Caeli” prayer. 

Pope Francis died April 21, 2025, just one day after delivering what would be his final Easter Sunday “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.

Read the full article here: onmiss.io/francistribute