The word retirement brings about the connotation that one's work has come to an end.  That might be a good definition in mainstream society, but when one examines the life of a retired priest, they find that the priest is just as busy, or sometimes, more busy than he was before retirement!

     Here in the Diocese of Madison, priests are required to submit a letter to the bishop when they have reached 70 years of age.  The bishop may grant them a retirement at that time, or, if they are able and willing, he may ask the priest to remain active until a successor to his parish can be appointed.  Dioceses that experience a priest shortage are more likely to keep priests in active ministry until well past the age of 70 years.

     Once in retirement, priests very often continue to serve in their home diocese, and sometimes in other dioceses as well.  Many of the retired priests in the Diocese of Madison assist our active clergy with weekday and weekend Mass obligations, and other duties as their schedules allow. 

     The north wing of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center's third floor has been reserved for our retired priests.  Extensive renovations were done to create apartments specially for them.  While at the O'Connor Center, they receive meals, nursing care and, if needed, assistance with transportation to appointments.  The Bless Our Priests fund continues to provide for the needs of our retired clergy, to ensure that they are well cared for in thanksgiving for all that they have done and have given to the Church and her people here in the Diocese of Madison.

     We are very proud of our retired priests, who have served our Lord and His people with full heart and devotion for many years, and who continue to serve the Church in whatever way they can.  The priesthood is a life-long gift, and our retired priests show how deeply they love Christ and His people by their continued service.

	Name:		Most Rev. William H. Bullock Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Madison
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1952

	Name:		Most Rev. George O. Wirz Retired Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Madison
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1952

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	Name:		Rev. Robert Borre
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1960

 

	Name:		Rev. Robert Buholzer
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1956

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	Name:		Rev. Kevin Cassidy
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1960

	Name:		Rev. Philip Conlon
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1955

	Name:		Rev. Philip Cox
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1946

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	Name:		Rev. Msgr. William DeBock
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1949

 

	Name:		Rev. Bernard Deitelhoff
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1957

  

	Name:		Rev. Msgr. Elmer Dietzel
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1951

  

	Name:		Rev. Thomas Doheny
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1958

  

<Photo Not Available>	Name:		Rev. Patrick Doherty
	Current Position:		On Medical Leave
	Year of Ordination:		1959

  

	Name:		Rev. Francis Dominic
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1952

  

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	Name:		Rev. J. Thomas Fitzgerald
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1968

  

	Name:		Rev. George Fox
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1961

  

	Name:		Rev. J. Daryl Furlong
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1966

  

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<Photo Not Available>	Name:		Rev. John Gerlach, O.P.
	Current Position:		Chaplain, Sinsinawa Domican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa
	Year of Ordination:		not available

	Name:		Rev. Philip Grasso
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1943

  

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	Name:		Rev. Msgr. George Hastrich
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1950

  

	Name:		Rev. Msgr. John Hebl
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1961

  

	Name:		Rev. Msgr. Joseph Higgins
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1958

   

	Name:		Rev. William Hower
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1964

 

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	Name:		Rev. Henry "Hank" Kalscheuer
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1959

  

<Photo Not Available>	Name:		Rev. Lawrence Kieffer
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1950

  

	Name:		Rev. Delbert "Del" Klink
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1960

  

	Name:		Rev. Arthur Koth
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1957

 

  

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	Name:		Rev. Donald Lange
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1970

  

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	Name:		Rev. James McEnery
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1953

  

	Name:		Rev. Laverne Meier
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1958

  

	Name:		Rev. Donald Murray
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1961

  

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	Name:		Rev. William Nolan
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1985

  

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	Name:		Rev. Bernard "Bernie" Pickarts
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1955

  

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	Name:		Rev. Ronald Rank
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1958

  

	Name:		Rev. David Runde
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1957

  

<Photo Not Available>	Name:		Rev. Raymond Runde
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1956

  

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	Name:		Rev. Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer
	Current Position:		Retired Director, Society of the Propagation of the Faith
	Year of Ordination:		1956

  

	Name:		Rev. Francis Schmidt
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1958

  

	Name:		Rev. Thomas Schroeder
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1964

   

	Name:		Rev. Anthony "Tony" Schumacher
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1960

  

	Name:		Rev. Will Schuster
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1946

  

	Name:		Rev. Francis "Frank" Steffen
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1957

  

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	Name:		Rev. Roger Taylor
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1964

  

	Name:		Rev. Jerome Turner, CDR
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1964

  

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	Name:		Rev. John Urban
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1959

 

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<Photo Not Available>	Name:		Rev. Anthony Young
	Current Position:		Retired
	Year of Ordination:		1944