Bio: Nikolai, Father Vincent (25 Years In Priesthood – 1973)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Nikolai, Mertens, Kolovits, Bayuk, Gosar, Janezich, Klapatauskas, Scharenbrock, Govek, Volovsek

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 24 May 1973

Impressive ceremonies marked the observance of the 25th anniversary in the priesthood of Father William Vincent Nikolai, former pastor of the Holy Family Church at Willard (Clark Co., Wis.), and now pastor of St. James Church at Wausau.

Beginning with a mass of Thanksgiving at 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, May 20, 1973, Father Nikolai entered the church in procession with Father Michael Mertens, present pastor of the Holy Family Church at Willard, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Nikolai, also of Wausau, his brothers and their families, twenty Knights of the Altar, and his many priest friends, through an archway of swords of the 4th degree Knights of Columbus.

Father Mertens delivered the sermon during the mass and sat at the speaker's table during the dinner that followed the reception. Also at the speaker's table were Father Nikolai's parents and other dignitaries of the church and city.

A handsome wall clock was presented to Father Nikolai during the after dinner speeches.

Father Fred A. Kolovits, also of St. James Church, was the Master of Ceremonies at the 6:30 dinner at the Hoffman House.

Parishioners from the Holy Family Church who attended the celebration included: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bayuk, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Gosar, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Janezich, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Klapatauskas, Mr. and Mrs. John Scharenbrock, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Govek, Mrs. Ronald Volovsek, Mrs. William Bayuk and Miss Carol Govek.