PARISH - stmarysrc.com

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All Are Welcome...

Welcome Our New Pastor, Father Nate Kuhn

“It is good that we are here!” To borrow the words of St. Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration as Jesus revealed his Divinity to them, how good it is to be in the presence of God, to be able to draw near to Jesus to experience His love for us. I begin with this because this is the sentiment that I have felt since arriving here. It has truly been a blessing and a great comfort for me during this time of transition and change. I know it is always difficult when we go through change, especially when it involves relationships and things that are close to the heart. Acknowledging this, know that I have been holding all of you in prayer during this time.

I was born and raised in Neillsville, WI, the second oldest of 8 in my family. We grew up on a dairy farm, and I spent most of my free time hunting and fishing and being outdoors. We were involved in our local parish, St. Mary’s, and I began serving Mass in the 4th grade. It was during this time when I felt the first calling to consider the priesthood. This idea, which stuck in the back of my mind, remained with me throughout my grade school and high school years so that when I graduated, I entered the seminary to continue to discern what God wanted me to do. The call grew in my heart as I completed my studies, and I was ordained in 2014. Since my ordination, I have had assignments in Marshfield, Wausau, Genoa, and for the last five years, I was in La Crosse as the Diocesan Director of Vocations, working with young men and women who were discerning how God was calling them.
Now, as I look ahead to this new path that the Lord has invited me on, I am very excited to be back in a parish and to serve all of you. Being that I have been out of parish ministry for a while, I would ask for your patience as I relearn the ropes. I would ask that you help me to be a good and holy priest and spiritual father through your prayers and helping me learn.

Our Parish Story

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 Cardinal 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 Father Nathan Kuhn, assisted by Deacon Donald C. Tully.