Weekly email from Fr. Tom Lindner

In making the announcement at Masses, Deacon Peter Burek said, “I am personally happy to welcome Fathers Tom and Al to the Eastside Parishes. The two of them were both teachers of mine in the Deacon Formation Program prior to my ordination. I have known both of them a long time and look forward to working with them in this new chapter of the Eastside Parishes.”

As Bishop Callahan has indicated, it’s not merely a matter of assigning priests to vacancies, but rather how to most effectively utilize our limited number of priests so as to enhance the vitality of parishes. With that in mind, similar assignments have been announced for parishes in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, and a similar arrangement has already been in place among three parishes in Chippewa Falls. We are not the first to confront such realities, but every grouping of parishes is different, with unique opportunities and challenges.

In addition to the appointments of Fr. Tom and Fr. Al, Deacon Peter Burek, Deacon Erv Burkhardt and Deacon John McDonnell have been assigned to serve all three parishes. All the assignments take effect July 4.

Fr. Eric Mashak, who has served this past year as part-time associate pastor of St. Michael and Resurrection, has been assigned to serve as part-time associate pastor of St. Mark Parish and St. Therese Parish in Schofield. He will continue in his role as chaplain of Newman Catholic Middle School and High School. Fr. Albert Saleth, the pastor of St. Therese also will be pastor of St. Mark.

As Deacon Peter said at Mass, “We will also have some time in the weeks to come to say our goodbyes and show our appreciation to Fr. Eric for his good work in his time with us.”

As this transition unfolds, watch for further information in upcoming bulletins and emails. In all things, as we heard in today’s gospel, we look to Christ as our way, our truth, our life.