Priests to celebrate jubilees

April 8, 2004

Seventeen priests of the Diocese of Sioux City who are celebrating their jubilee of priestly ordination will be honored at a 4 p.m. Mass on April 19 at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Dodge.

25 YEARS

Father Edward M. Girres was born Dec. 14, 1951, in West Bend, Iowa, the son of Cornelius and Bernadine (Yoch) Girres. He attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. receiving a B.A. in social sciences. He received part of his philosophy credits from St. John's and the rest at Catholic University of Louvain in Louvain, Belgium, where he also earned his masters degree in religious studies. He holds an Iowa teacher's certificate.

Bishop Frank H. Greteman ordained Father Girres on July 21, 1979, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in West Bend.

Father Girres' first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. Bernard Church in Breda and as a faculty member at Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll. He then served as administrator at St. Bernard before becoming a faculty member at Heelan High School in Sioux City and the director of the Catholic youth spiritual life office. He was the assistant superintendent of religious education for six years. He became rector at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City and returned to Heelan as a faculty member. From there, he was assigned as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Fort Dodge. This turned into his current assignment in team ministry for Webster County parishes consisting of the three Fort Dodge parishes - Sacred Heart, Corpus Christi and Holy Rosary - along with St. Matthew in Clare, St. Joseph in Barnum, Christ the King in Dayton, St. Joseph in Duncombe and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorland.

Father Mark E. Harrington was born Dec. 11, 1950, in Spencer, Iowa, the son of Robert and Deloras (Lutz) Harrington. He attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. before studying philosophy at Loras College in Dubuque. He holds a bachelor of science degree. He then received his masters of divinity degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Father Harrington was ordained by Bishop Frank Greteman on May 26, 1979, at Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer.

His first assignment was as an assistant at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge. He was then assigned as assistant at Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City. He was a pastor at St. Columbkille in Varina, Our Lady of Assumption in Merrill and St. Joseph in Ellendale. Father Harrington was then pastor at St. Mary in Willey as well as St. Joseph in Dedham. He was also a pastor at St. Mary Parish in Sac City, St. Mary in Auburn, St. Mary's in Danbury and St. Joseph's in Anthon. He is currently pursuing ministry outside of the diocese.

Father William A. Schreiber was born April 14, 1953, in Fort Dodge, the son of Allan and Helen (Bemrich) Schreiber. He attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. where he received a B.A. in English and philosophy. He earned his master of divinity degree at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He also completed post graduate studies in Catholic school administration from University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.

Bishop Frank Greteman ordained Father Schreiber on June 9, 1979, at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge.

Father Schreiber's first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Lawrence in Carroll. He was also an assistant at Immaculate Conception in Sioux City and Sacred Heart in Spencer. He then became the parochial vicar of St. Mary's in Remsen and a faculty member at St. Mary High School in Remsen. Next, he was assigned as administrator of St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake and sacramental minister at St. John the Baptist Church in Quimby. Father Schreiber then served as a faculty member at Heelan High School in Sioux City. He was administrator of Gehlen High School in Le Mars while serving as the sacramental minister for St. Joseph Struble. He was assigned as pastor of St. John's in Arcadia and in ministry at Kuemper High School in Carroll. For two years he was pastor at St. Mary's in Danbury and St. Joseph's in Anthon before his current assignment as pastor at St. Mary in Humboldt and St. John in Gilmore City.

50 YEARS

Msgr. Thomas M. Donahoe of Fort Dodge was born April 14, 1926, in Fort Dodge, the son of James and Mayme (Jensen) Donahoe. Before going to college, he was in the U.S. Navy for two years. He then attended Loras College in Dubuque receiving a bachelor's degree. He studied theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He later completed post graduate studies in education at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

Msgr. Donahoe was ordained by Bishop Joseph Mueller on May 5, 1954, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Msgr. Donahoe's first assignment was as chaplain of St. Anthony's Home in Sioux City. He served as assistant at Sts. Peter and Paul in Carroll. He was then a faculty member at Kuemper High School in Carroll before becoming the superintendent of Kuemper. He also served as pastor at St. Patrick's in Sheldon, Immaculate Conception in Sioux City and Immaculate Conception in Graettinger. He retired in June of 2002.

Father Robert M. Fangman of Carroll was born Sept. 26, 1926, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Sylvester and Bernadette (Maxwell) Fangman. He attended Boone Junior College and Creighton University in Omaha receiving a bachelor of science degree. He took classes in philosophy at Creighton as well as St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. where he also studied theology. He received a M.S. in education from Creighton University.

Bishop Joseph M. Mueller ordained Father Fangman on May 5, 1954, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Lawrence in Carroll. He was also an assistant pastor at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge before becoming the resident chaplain at St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge. He served as pastor of St. Joseph in Barnum while being a faculty member at St. Edmond High School. He then became superintendent at Gehlen High School in Le Mars. Father Fangman was the pastor at St. Mary's in Larchwood, St. Mary's in Lake City, Sacred Heart in Manilla and Annunciation Parish in Coon Rapids before retiring in July of 1997.

Msgr. Mervin J. Hood of Fort Dodge was born March 2, 1926, in Gilmore City, the son of George and Agnes (Henneberry) Hood. He attended Loras College in Dubuque and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Md. He was awarded a master of science in education from Creighton University in Omaha.

Msgr. Hood was ordained on May 5, 1954, by Bishop Joseph Mueller at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Joseph in Le Mars. He was superintendent at Emmetsburg Catholic High School and pastor at Sacred Heart in Ruthven. He served as pastor at Sacred Heart in Ledyard while being an instructor at St. John's in Bancroft. He was assigned as pastor at St. Mary in Alton and St. Mary in Humbolt. While serving in as pastor in Humboldt, he became the temporary administrator at Sacred Heart in Livermore. He then served as pastor at Holy Spirit in Carroll. He also served as dean of the Southeast Deanery. Next, he served as executive director at Marian Home in Fort Dodge. His last assignment was as pastor of Sacred Heart in Early and dean of the Central Deanery. He retired in 1998.

Father Dale F. Koster of Auburn was born on Aug. 19, 1924, in Arcadia, the son of Clem and Hazel (Van Erdewyk) Koster. He attended Trinity College in Sioux City, Loras College in Dubuque and Conception in Conception, Mo. He received a M.S. in education from Creighton University in Omaha. He holds a Life Superintendent Certificate.

Bishop Joseph Mueller ordained Father Koster on May 5, 1954, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Father Koster's first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Mary's in Danbury. He also served as an assistant at St. Cecelia in Algona, Sacred Heart in Templeton and St. Joseph's in Carroll. He was pastor in Alvord and Doon. He was superintendent of St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge. He was assigned as pastor at Mt. Carmel, St. Mary's in Armstrong and St. Joseph in Lohrville before retiring in July of 1996.

Msgr. James K. Lafferty was born Nov. 11, 1927, in Hinton, the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Tritz) Lafferty. He attended college at Loras College in Dubuque and also entered the seminary there. He received his M.A. in theology from Conception Theological Seminary in Conception, Mo. He also was awarded a M.A. in Latin from Creighton University in Omaha. He has a PhD in classical education from Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Mo. He holds an Iowa Secondary Teacher Certificate and an Iowa Superintendent Certificate.

Msgr. Lafferty was ordained by Bishop Joseph Mueller on May 5, 1954, at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as the assistant pastor at St. Bernard Parish in Breda. He served as a chaplain at St. Anthony's. He then was an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Pocahontas, St. Joseph parish in Milford and assistant chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Sioux City. He was a faculty member as well as principal at Heelan High School in Sioux City. He was on the Diocesan Board of Education as executive secretary and the secretary treasurer of the Catholic School Foundation. He served as the diocesan director of confraternity of Christian doctrine and director of education for clergy and seminarians. He was on the diocesan building committee along with being the superintendent of education. He was served as the chaplain at Briar Cliff in Sioux City. Father Lafferty was also the pastor of St. John Parish in Arcadia while serving as the diocesan director of pro-life activities. From there he was the pastor at St. Joseph in Schaller and pastor and administrator at St. John's in Ogden.

He retired in St. Anthony's Nursing Home in Carroll on Sept. 16, 2003.

Father Richard J. Macke of Lake City was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Carroll, the son of William and Matilida (Daniels) Macke. He attended Trinity College in Sioux City, Loras College in Dubuque and St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind. He received a master's degree in science from Creighton University in Omaha.

Bishop Joseph Mueller ordained Father Macke on May 5, 1954, at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Father Macke's first assignment was at St. Mary's in Remsen as an assistant pastor. He became a faculty member at Heelan High School in Sioux City while serving as part-time assistant at Cathedral of the Epiphany. He was an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart in Boone, which led him to be a pastor at Dayton and Lehigh, Roselle, Humboldt, St. Joseph in Jefferson and St. Ann in Vail. His last assignment was as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pomeroy and St. Joseph in Palmer. Father Macke retired on Oct. 1, 1998.

Father Alfred E. McCoy of Sioux City was born Dec. 15, 1928, in Emmetsburg, the son of James and Mary Josephine (Hand) McCoy. He attended Loras College in Dubuque and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He earned a master's of education at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn. He was awarded a bachelor's degree and a permanent professional teacher's certificate.

Father McCoy was ordained by Bishop Joseph Mueller on May 5, 1954, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as an assistant at Cathedral in Sioux City. He also served at St. Mary's in Storm Lake as an assistant pastor. He served as pastor at St. Mary's in Pomeroy, St. Joseph's in Palmer, Holy Family in Lidderdale, St. Brigid in Grand Junction, St. John's in Paton, Holy Name in Rock Rapids, Sacred Heart and Sts. Peter and Paul in Pocahontas, St. Thomas in Manson and St. Joseph's in Jefferson. He was administrator and pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Cherokee and St. John's in Quimby. Father McCoy was also assigned as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ashton, St. Joseph Church in Wesley, Sacred Heart in Ida Grove, Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, senior pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City, St. John's in Onawa and St. Bernard in Blencoe. He was appointed the president pro-tem of Heelan High School in Sioux City in Aug. of 1996. Father McCoy also served as chaplain at Briar Cliff University. He retired in July of 2002.

Father Patrick J. Waite of San Diego was born June 1, 1927, in Carter, S.D., the son of James and Eva (Downs) Waite. He attended Westmar College in Le Mars, Loras College in Dubuque and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo. He received a M.S. in education from Creighton University in Omaha. He holds a superintendent/principal for secondary schools of Iowa certificate, a marriage counseling certificate and an applied theology certificate.

Bishop Joseph Mueller ordained Father Waite on May 5, 1954, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Father Waite's first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. James in Le Mars. He was then an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church and St. Joseph High School in Ashton, St. Lawrence and Kuemper High School in Carroll, St. John Church and St. John's High School in Bancroft and St. Mary's Church and St. Mary's High School in Danbury. Father Waite was a chaplain in the U.S. Navy in Newport, R.I.; R.T.C., GR. Lakes, Ill.; III MAR. DIV. Okinowa; NAS Saufley, Pensacola, Fla.; USS Randolph (CVS-15); NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va.; CFA, Yokoska, Japan; 1st MAR. DIV. Camp Pendleton, Calif.; NAV STA Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; NAV STA Norfolk, Va.; USCG Kodiak, Ark.; and PT Mugu, Calif. He retired on July 31, 1988 after 26 years as a military chaplain.

55 YEARS

Father Harold V. Cooper of Sioux City was born June 8, 1924, in Sioux City, the son of Victor and Malinda (Karhoff) Cooper. He graduated from Trinity College in Sioux City in 1946. He then attended St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He holds an Iowa Permanent Professional Teacher's Certificate.

Bishop Joseph Mueller ordained Father Cooper on June 7, 1949, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Father Cooper's first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. Ann's in Vail. He was then assigned as assistant pastor at St. Cecelia in Algona. He served as pastor at Immaculate Conception in Moville, St. Mary's in Larchwood, Annunciation in Coon Rapids, St. Ann's in Vail, St. Joseph's in Sioux City and St. Joseph in Jefferson. He was also a deanery moderator for the Templeton deanery; Deanery Pavla Director and Pre-Cana for Sioux City - Southwest Deanery; and was a member of the priests' senate when it was first organized. He retired in 1990.

Msgr. Gerald F. Lyon of Sioux City was born April 25, 1925 in Sioux City, the son of Fay and Irene (Carrabine) Lyon. He attended Trinity College in Sioux City and graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He studied theology at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Md. He earned a master's degree from Catholic University. He holds a superintendent certificate.

Msgr. Lyon was ordained by Bishop Joseph Mueller on June 7, 1949, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as an assistant pastor at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge. He was a faculty member of Heelan High School and the chaplain of Good Shepherd Home in Sioux City. Then he was a teacher and vice-rector of Mount St. Bernard Seminary. He served as pastor at Sacred Heart in Early, Sacred Heart in Spencer and Holy Name in Marcus. In 1989, he became the pastor of St. Patrick in Akron and St. Catherine in Westfield. He also was sacramental minister in residence at St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. He was named a domestic prelate in 1982, earning claim to the title of monsignor. He retired in June of 1995.

Father Raymond P. Wieling of Sioux City was born March 1, 1925, in Danbury, the son of John and Anna (Fleischmann) Wieling. He graduated from Trinity College in Sioux City with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He then attended St. Mary's in Baltimore and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. to complete his theological studies. He holds a lifetime secondary teaching certificate.

Bishop Joseph Mueller ordained Father Wieling on June 7, 1949, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Father Wieling began with his first assignment as an assistant pastor at St. Joseph's in Le Mars while serving as part-time chaplain to Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars. Then, he was an assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Sioux City. He served as pastor in Oto and Hornick, at St. Michael's in Kingsley, St. Mary's in Alton, St. Joseph's in Salix and St. Joseph in Neptune of rural Hinton. He retired in June of 1995.

Father Gerald F. Zensen of Oto was born Aug. 22, 1924, in Merrill, the son of Reinhold and Irene (Weis) Zensen. He attended Trinity College in Sioux City and received a bachelor's degree. He studied theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Father Zensen was ordained by Bishop Joseph Mueller on June 7, 1949, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as an assistant pastor at Assumption Parish in Emmetsburg and faculty at Emmetsburg Catholic High School. He was an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's and chaplain at Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, as well as assistant pastor at St. Joseph's in Granville, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Mt. Carmel and Presentation in Whittemore. Father Zensen was assigned as pastor at Dow City and Buck Grove and at Maryhill and Quimby. He served as an assistant pastor at St. Mary's in Remsen, Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge and Immaculate Conception in Sioux City. He was also a pastor at St. Mary's in Oto and St. Phillip in Hornick as well as St. Joseph in Anthon. He retired in February of 1995.

60 YEARS

Father Vincent L. Beacom of Sioux City was born July 14, 1911, in Jackson, Neb., the son of Louis and Anna (Kramper) Beacom. He attended Trinity Collge in Sioux City and earned a bachelor's degree. He studied theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Bishop Edmond Heelan ordained Father Beacom on April 23, 1944, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Father Beacom's first assignment was as assistant pastor at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge. He also served as an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart in Pocahontas, St. Patrick's in Sheldon and St. Mary's in Remsen. He was a pastor at Sacred Heart in Alvord, St. Mary's in Doon, St. Mary's in Spirit Lake, St. Joseph's in Lohrville, Holy Family Church in Lidderdale and Immaculate Conception Church in Graettinger. Father Beacom retired in August of 1984.

70 YEARS

Msgr. Robert J. Quinn of Imperial Beach, Calif., was born on June 10, 1908, in Streator, Ill., the son of James and Bridget (Prendergast) Quinn. He attended the University of Iowa and Creighton Univerisity. He then entered St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. to study philosophy and theology.

Msgr. Quinn was ordained by Bishop Edmond Heelan on March 18, 1934, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His first assignment was as an assistant pastor St. Francis of Assisi in Rockwell City. He was also an assistant at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge and Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He was a pastor in Lake City. He served at St. Anthony's Home and St. Anthony's Hospital in Carroll as a chaplain. He was in the U.S. Navy from June of 1944 to September 1946. He was an assistant in Vail and at St. Joseph's in Carroll. Msgr. Quinn then served as a military chaplain in the U.S. Navy from September 1948 until July 1969. He was a pastor in Laurens for a brief time before becoming a pastor at Holy Spirit in Freemont, Calif. He then served at St. Michael's and Veterans Hospital in Livermore, Calif. From January 1979 until his retirement, he was at the University of San Diego in California for further studies.