PAGE 5 Archdiocese May 24, 2015 Congratulations: celebrating jubilees in 2015 Each year The Witness highlights He taught at Wahlert High School in witness of those whom I have served. My when they needed the Lord,” said the priests and religious celebrating jubi- Dubuque, 1978-89. life has been, and is, blessed.” 93-year-old in a recent interview. “My lees. This week we begin with some of the He served as master of ceremonies for Father John P. Ptacek, a retired special concern is for the family and keep- priests. For priests, we usually mark the Archbishop Daniel W. Kucera, OSB, 1984- priest residing in Farley, celebrated his ing the family together. The priest’s main silver, golden, 40th and 60th jubilees. 89. He was pastor of St. Catherine Parish 60th anniversary of ordination to the duty is to help the family life in his parish.” Here are a few of those being honored in St. Catherine, 1987-89. priesthood on February 5. Father Drexler was this year. More coverage will follow in From 1989 to 1997, he served both as “It’s been many years of many bless- born March 22, 1922, to coming issues. pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish ings,” said Father Ptacek of his time as a William and Irene (Mock) and executive coordinator of Don Bosco priest. “I’ve had wonderful Drexler of Dyersville. He Father James Secora, pastor of St. High School, in Gilbertville. congregations during this served in the U.S. Army Cecilia, Ames, will celebrate the fortieth From 1997-2009, he was pastor of St. 60 years.” Aircorps during World anniversary of his ordination to the priest- Patrick Parish, Cedar Falls. Father Ptacek was War II and afterwards, hood on Sunday, May 31 with a Mass of Since 2009, he has been pastor of St. born Sept. 23, 1929, in followed the call to his vo- Elma to Anton and Almie cation. He attended Loras Thanksgiving at 10:30 a.m. at, St. Cecilia Cecilia Parish, Ames. When asked about Father (Vonasek) Ptacek. Church, 2900 Hoover Ave., Ames, Iowa, his thoughts as he observes his fortieth an- College in Dubuque and Drexler He graduated from Lor- followed by a reception from 11:30 a.m. to niversary of ordination to the priesthood, graduated from Maryk- as College in Dubuque and noll College in Ossining, N.Y. He complet- 2:30 p.m. in the parish social hall. Father Secora stated: Father completed his theological ed his theological studies at St. Mary Sem- He was born on Dec. 12, “The prayer card I had printed on the Ptacek studies at the former Mt. inary in Baltimore. 1949, to Bernell and Eve- occasion of my ordination as priest con- St. Bernard Seminary, also in Dubuque. lyn (Zweibahmer) Secora. tained these words from St. Paul’s letter He was ordained May 21, 1955 by Arch- He was ordained Feb. 5, 1955, at Christ the bishop Leo Binz at St. Francis Xavier Ba- He graduated from Loras to the Romans: ‘I need your help, for I King Chapel, Loras College, by Archbishop silica in Dyersville. College in Dubuque and want not only to share my faith with you Leo Binz. He served as associate pastor at Sacred completed his theological but to be encouraged by yours: each of us He served as associate pastor at All Heart Parish, Rock-well, St. Lawrence studies at St. Mary’s Semi- will be a blessing to the other’ (Rm. 1:12). Saints Parish, Cedar Rapids, 1955-61; Parish, Swaledale and St. John Parish, nary in Baltimore, Md. Over these forty years I have tried to allow Sacred Heart, Monticello, 1961-67; St. Cartersville, 1955-56; St. Joseph Parish, He was ordained on my gifts (and yes, my weaknesses too!) to Paul’s, Worthington, 1967-69; St. Atha- Father Waterloo, 1956-61; Sacred Heart Parish, May 31, 1975, at St. John be a means of sharing my faith with all nasius, Jesup, 1969-70; and Immaculate Secora Dubuque, 1961-66; St. Patrick Parish, Ce- Nepomucene Church in whom I have served in various capacities. Conception, Charles City, 1970-71. He was dar Falls and St. Mary Parish, Dike, 1966- I pray that they know and love God more pastor of the Assumption of the BVM, Lit- Fort Atkinson by Archbishop James J. 70; and St. Patrick Parish, Waukon and Byrne. because of my efforts. At the same time, tle Turkey, and Sacred Heart, Reilly Ridge, 1971-76; Holy Trinity, Protivin, 1976-82; St. John the Baptist Parish, West Ridge, He served as associate pastor of St. Ben- I have been sustained, encouraged, (and 1970-72. edict Parish in Decorah, 1975-78. yes!) challenged to grow in my faith by the Holy Trinity, Luxemburg, 1982-92; St. Patrick’s, Colesburg, 1987-92; and St. Jo- He served as pastor of Sacred Heart Par- seph’s, Farley, from 1992 until his retire- ish, Volga and St. Joseph Parish, Wadena, ment in 2000. 1972-76; St. Boniface Parish, New Vienna, Franciscans to dedicate He also served as executive secretary of 1976-86 and St. Luke Parish, Hopkinton Seton Catholic Consolidated School, 1993- and Immaculate Conception Parish, Sand 2000. Since retirement, Father Ptacek has Springs, from 1976 until his retirement in assisted at parishes in Farley and the sur- 1997. Peace Pole on May 30 rounding areas. Father Drexler served as ACCW modera- He gave special thanks to his parishio- tor for the Independence Deanery in 1989. DUBUQUE — Dubuque Franciscan ed or supported and continue to support ners and his housekeeper. Sisters and Associates welcome the com- various peace efforts, including many of After retirement, he assisted with the sac- “I’m enjoying my retirement,” he said. munity to join them as they dedicate a Dubuque’s own projects,” said Sister Mary raments at Sacred Heart Parish (now Holy A celebration marking Father Ptacek’s peace pole at 10 a.m., Saturday, May Lechtenberg, OSF. “It is with great hope Spirit Parish) in Dubuque and regularly jubilee is planned for some time in the fall. 30, in Washington Park, 700 Locust St., and wishes of peace that we dedicate the ministered to residents at Bethany Home Dubuque. peace pole.” Father Harold J. Drexler, a retired and Stonehill Franciscan Care Center until The peace pole that will be blessed at The peace pole states, “may peace pre- priest who resides in Dubuque, celebrated he moved to Villa Raphael in 2011. Father the dedication ceremony is a gift to the cit- vail on Earth,” in eight languages, each his 60th anniversary of ordination to the Drexler’s jubilee was remembered at the izens of Dubuque in honor of the Sisters of significant to the history of Dubuque and priesthood May 21. annual Priests’ Holy Hour May 11 at Loras St. Francis’ 150th anniversary, which was the Sisters of St. Francis. It is estimated “(Being a priest has given me) a great College, along with the rest of the 2015 ju- celebrated in the fall of 2014. that more than 200,000 Peace Poles in opportunity to help people in many ways bilarians in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. “As Dubuque Franciscans, through- over 190 countries in the world have been out our 150 year history, we have initiat- dedicated as monuments to peace.
Published Weekly Except Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, July 4, Marshalltown (Con’t. from p. 4) last week in July and first week in August The law enforcement panelists request- what Iowans do best,” said Fopma. “We ed the help of community members in roll up our sleeves and get to work.” The Official Publication of the (USPS #888200) spotting these crimes. Chief Tupper urged panel discussion was a first of many events Archdiocese of Dubuque (ISSN 0745-0427) the community to call 911 and Captain L.A.S.T. Watch plans to host. The group Henderson stressed how important it is to will continue to partner with churches and Periodical postage paid at Dubuque, Iowa. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Witness, P.O. Box 917, Dubuque, IA 52004-0917. Address: The Witness, 1229 Mt. Loretta Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52003-8787. Publisher: “say something if you see something.” Of- organizations to raise awareness and em ten would-be reporters don’t call in some- Archbishop Michael O. Jackels, S.T.D.; Editor: Dan Russo. Address material for publication “To The Editor.” power community members to work to- thing suspicious because they don’t want gether to fight human trafficking. Subscription, prepaid, in the Archdiocese of Dubuque: $25.00 per year. (Outside the Archdiocese, $27.00.) Single to waste the time of law enforcement. “If copy, $1.00; if mailed, $2.22. something doesn’t feel right, please make For more information email lastwatch- the call and be specific with the details you [email protected] or visit www.polaris- Most Rev. Michael O. Jackels, Publisher Cathy White, Circulation Manager see. We will investigate,” said Henderson. project.org. To report a tip call 911 and Dan Russo, Editor Jill Kruse, Editorial Assistant All panelists remarked on how the event the National Human Trafficking Resource Bret Fear, Production Manager was a positive collaborative effort between Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to Witness Office number: 563-588-0556 E-mail: [email protected] agencies and the community. “This is Be Free to 233733