Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Thelen
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/13/2022
Local Parishes Give A Fond Farewell-Pastor Thelen (2022)
By Lori Johnson
“The Reverend Daniel L. Thelen, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Alma Center and St. Joseph Parish in Fairview, Jackson and Clark Counties, is appointed Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Marshfield, with residence at the parish rectory, effective July 5, 2022.”
This news from the Bishop left the parishioners stunned. Their well-liked and respected pastor may have only been in the area for four years, but in those four years, Father Daniel Thelen has made a big impact on the people of the parishes of Immaculate Conception in Alma Center and St. Joseph-Fairview, and they were sorry to lose him.
Since coming to the area in July of 2018, in addition to his usual duties, Father Dan had begun weekly Bible Study, daily Mass at St. Joseph, organized a nine day Las Posadas in December, made an annual Corpus Christi Procession in June, visits to the homebound parishioners, All Saints Day celebrations.
Father Dan blessed 41 Baptisms, 50 First Communions and 21 Confirmations. He officiated and celebrated marriages, he prayed with families at funerals. He also was responsible for bringing parishioners together in fun activities such summer cookouts and parish family bike rides.
He also proved to be a leader during COVID-19 when so many events were cancelled. Not only did he see that Masses were televised and precautions taken, but he did something “out of the box” to show his parishioners his care and concern. By combining his biking enthusiasm with the need to remind his parishioners that although isolated, they were not alone, he pedaled over 100 miles around the perimeters of his parishes, stopping to bless most intersections he passed on his trip. With a holy water bottle, he simply sprinkled holy water on the ground and made a sign of the cross over the spot, and offering prayers for protection and blessings on his parishioners and communities and also asking for the gift of faith for everyone that was needed so badly then. He also offered thanks for the teams of doctors, medical staff, and all those heroes during that difficult time. He was happy to do this, saying “It was a great way to feel connected with people while keeping to the health guidelines. We might feel isolated and distant but at the same time moments like this bring us closer together in spirit.”
At the end of that day-long trip, his parishioners knew that they had been given a special gift and were more than grateful for Father Dan’s efforts. At the time, they were full of thankfulness and praise, commenting ““You are amazing! Thank you for all that you do for our parishes. We are so lucky to have you!”. “You are a blessing, Father. What a wonderful gift!” “We are so blessed... you are an inspiration to us all.” “Your commitment to the parish and humankind is a light in the darkness.” ““What a wonderful blessing! Ride on Fr. Dan - we are here with you In prayer.” ““You are my inspiration to stay positive in these days of dismay. God Bless you.” ““Bless you Father Dan, You are and do amazing things. Thank you for caring so much. I'll say prayers for you to stay safe . You’re the best.” “You are so thoughtful, Father Dan. We all need this right now. God be with you and everyone else in the world.” The world needed and indeed still needs inspiration, hope, and positive thinking and after Father Dan’s bicycle blessings trip, there were many who were heartened by his actions and indeed, feeling that they were not alone.
One person remarked, “”So many people have commented on how Father Dan has built our church back up. So many young families and more new members have joined since he has been here. He has confirmed spouses that were reluctant to turn Catholic until now. He has always been such a warm and kind person. His compassion has been something our parish has needed for a very long time. The Spanish community will really miss him. He has done special activities that they have asked for and included everyone in the parish. I believe he will do great things in his life time.”
Another person added, “He has been such a comfort, bringing Holy Communion to my husband in the nursing home. We were faithful viewers of his videoed Masses. Father Dan is a powerfully caring person--one in a million!”
Father Dan’s involvement with Chalice of Mercy also earned him much admiration from his parishioners, especially with the volatile situation in the Ukraine and the campaign to get needed medical and other supplies to the war torn country.
A farewell gathering for Father Dan was held on July 1 at the Humbird Rod and Gun Club, for folks in both parishes to celebrate his time here and say Thank you and approximately150 people came to do just that throughout the afternoon. The table cloths were made to look like roads and plants were placed into bike helmets as table decorations.
Father Dan was touched at the turnout and summed up his thoughts by saying, “I feel a very deep love and care for all in my parish communities. It was very tough to announce this move and I will greatly miss everyone here. Every priest has a two-fold mission: he is both sent out to proclaim the Gospel and serves in his community as a spiritual Father. It is so tough to say goodbye, but at the same time, I know that I am to answer the call. But this isn’t really goodbye - Marshfield is super-close, and I look forward to many return visits in the future to say Hello!’
There might be many different reasons why the local parishioners will miss Father Dan Thelen. But there is one thing they agree on. They wish him well on his life’s journey and can attest that his new parish will be lucky to have him!
