Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Kuhn, Callahan, Kren, Riese, Thomas, Opelt, Henseler, Pace
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/02/2014
Neillsville Man Ordained to Priesthood (Former Deacon - 2014)
Neillsville Man Ordained to Priesthood
Former Deacon Nathaniel Kuhn of Neillsville was ordained to the priesthood Saturday at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. Bishop William P. Callahan presided over the ceremony. Todd Schmidt/Clark County Press
By Todd Schmidt
Former Deacon Nathanial Kuhn, 26, the son of Richard and Donna Kuhn of Saint Mary Parish of Neillsville, was ordained into the priesthood Saturday at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. Bishop William P. Callahan presided over the ceremony.
Fr. Kuhn did his theological studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., where he received a Master of Divinity degree.
His education leading up to his formal theological training included Neillsville elementary and high school (NHS). Fr. Kuhn graduated from NHS in 2006. In 2010 he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN.
Fr. Kuhn’s first assignments starting July 1 are serving as associate pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Marshfield and Christ the King in Spencer, chaplain at Columbus Catholic middle school and high school in Marshfield and assistant to the director of Vocations. He will reside at Saint John Rectory in Marshfield.
Fr. Kuhn said he would likely receive a new assignment after two years. There is still a shortage of priests; over 50 percent of priests now serve multiple parishes. Fifty years ago, there was a priest for every parish, many of which had schools.
He said the Diocese of La Crosse, which serves approximately 155 parishes in its 17-county area, first accepted him as a candidate.
“The future looks bright for the Diocese, looking at the number of retirements versus the number of priests coming in,” Fr. Kuhn said.
There are over 30 seminarians in the process of becoming priests, including Neillsville area third-year college candidates Alex Kren and Tyler Riese. Lance Thomas will start college this fall.
Fr. Kuhn was the center of attention Sunday at a special Mass of Thanksgiving at Saint Mary Parish in Neillsville. A reception followed at Apple Valley Bar and Grill.
“I am very excited and nervous about this journey,” Fr. Kuhn said. “Through it all, I know God has my back.”
He was ordained as a Deacon in 2013, giving his first sermon at the Neillsville church.
Fr. Kuhn referred to be a deacon as “Priest Light.” He was able to preside at marriages, baptisms, funerals and burial services. As an ordained priest, Fr. Kuhn can now celebrate Mass, Reconciliation and offer and Accounting of the Sick.
He compared his experiences at Saint Mary Parish to the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” He said eight years was a long time to be in schooling.
“Many people have supported me monetarily and with their prayers and encouragement,” Fr. Kuhn said. “That, along with the direction of God, has been instrumental in my success.”
He is the oldest of eight children. His siblings are: Ben, Sam, Kaity, Lindsey, Dominic, Gianna and Gabriella.
Fr. Kuhn likes to be active. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.
He played baseball the last three years of high school. He participated in choir, musicals and solo ensemble and was president of the Neillsville FFA Chapter.
Sitting in Saint Mary Church office, Fr. Kuhn shared his vocation story along with a cup of Martha Opelt’s famous black coffee.
At age 10, he saw something special while volunteering as an altar server under Fr. Joseph Hensler, who served the parish for 26 years before retiring. The impressionable youngster continued his faith journey under Fr. Woodrow Pace.
“You don’t realize the little things and how God works until it happens,” Fr. Kuhn said with a smile.
When he was in fifth grade, he and his brother Ben played on the local Rangers hockey team. They were soon to paly the rival Red Wings, who on paper were the better team.
“I am a competitive person,” Fr. Kuhn said. “When you really want something, ask God to help you. I said a prayer, asking God to help us win this hockey game. I promised Him if we won, I would become a priest. As it worked out, we won the game. I guess I didn’t take it that seriously at the time.”
Because the family grew up in Neillsville and his dad was in the insurance business, they were familiar to many people.
“One Sunday after Mass we went to the IGA store to get some groceries,” Fr. Kuhn said. “An elderly gentleman was sitting on a bench outside the door. He asked dad if either of his sons had considered becoming a priest.”
Fr. Kuhn kept the priestly thoughts in mind through high school. He dated for while and was undecided what to do. At Christmas in 2005 he decided to give the path as a priest a shot. He applied to the diocese and college and was accepted.
“At age 18, I had to determine if this was really what God wanted me to do,” he said. “I did a little second guessing and struggled a bit back and forth.”
What really cemented his decision was a mission trip to Uganda in the summer of 2006.
“It was quite a culture shock,” he said. “Their poverty is a whole different dimension. Despite their poverty, the people were happy. They have to trust God for everything, including food, water, clothing and shelter.”
Fr. Kuhn realized he could also trust God.
“It is a humbling feeling,” he said. “In my prayers, I said I would follow You wherever You want me to be, and I’ll be happy. I recommitted to give it my 110-percent until God tells me otherwise. I have been continually reaffirmed in the call ever since.”
Fr. Kuhn summarized his theology.
“I focus on God’s love and the importance of having a personal relationship with Him,” he said. “The love God has for each one of us is very powerful. We are all beloved sons and daughters of God. Though our accomplishments and mistakes, God loves us no matter what. God never gives up on us.”
