"The Reverend Monsignor Roger J. Scheckel, Pastor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Richland Center, has requested the status of Senior Priest, and it has been granted, effective July 1, 2025."

The above announcement means that my last day as your pastor, which began July 11, 2011, will be June 30, 2025. What has initiated this decsion is that my 70th birthday happens this coming June. In the meantime, this parish of St. Mary's will be considered "open" for any priest within the Diocese of La Crosse to be given consideration by the Diocesan Personel Committee to become the next pastor.

Some of you may wonder what I am going to be doing in the future. At this point, I don't have everything worked out; my plans will unfold over time. I do know that i must clear out my possessions accumulated over 41 years of priesthood to make room for the next priest by June 30. Likely, I will return to the farm where I grew up in Crawford County where my two brothers, my nephew and their wives are presently living. I had a cabin built by the Amish in 2003, a couple of hundred yards from the shore of the Wisconsin River. where I can reside. I have been advise by other priests who have experience in taking senior priest status not to take on too many responsibilities the first year. I think I will take that advice. Over time, I will make myself available for help-outs, especially on weekends so that pastors can get away for vacation. It is very likely that some Sunday morning you will look into the Sanctuary and say, "Oh no ! He's back!" I have reflected a little on my priorities for the time ahead and come up with: Prayer, including Mass help-outs; Reading; Traveling; Hunting; Fishing.

I ask for your prayers as I begin this new chapter in my priesthood and my life.

The Catholic parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary) was founded in 1858. The first Mass was celebrated in the home of Patrick Meehan. Masses were celebrated in private homes from 1858-1866.

The first church building, dedicated to St. Thomas, was build on land that is now St. Mary Cemetery. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was consecrated in 1866 at the corner of Fifth Street and Central Avenue, where the present school building is now located. Fr. John C. McAteer was appointed pastor.

The first rectory was built in 1903; the present rectory was constructed in 1960. A seventeen room convent was built in 1951 for the Benedictine nuns who served the parish and school until 1980.The present church, located at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets, was consecrated in 1953 with the first Mass celebrated by Fr. Owen Mitchell on Holy Thursday. Fr. Mitchell served the parish for 26 years.

The first school was built in 1927 and the present school in 1971. A major addition providing four additional classrooms and a pre-school was constructed in 2014 and dedicated in honor of Raymond Cardinal Burke, one of the school's most esteemed alumni. The present school enrollment consists of over 160 students.

To date, five parishioners have been ordained to the priesthood: Raymond Cardnial Burke, Fr. Francis Hillesheim, Fr. Eric Berns, Fr. Donald J. Heiar, Fr. Vincent Brewer.

The present parish consists of 585 families. St. Mary is a growing parish that includes many younger families who treasure the Catholic education that is available to their children. Our current pastor is Monsignor Roger J. Scheckel, assisted by Deacon Donald C. Tully.

PARISH - stmarysrc.com