March 26, 2023

Friends,
Fr. Marc is on a well deserved vacation and has gone to spend time with his mother.  Join me in praying for his safety now and during his return. 

You may know that Fr. Marc was my associate eight years ago.  Whenever I was gone, he gathered people into a Pastor Is Gone party (PIG party).   I don’t know if the staff here would want something like that, but we will remember him in some way!

I was an associate here at MOQ from 1987-1990 and at St Leo from 1990-1992.  I was pastor at St. Augustine in Winnebago with mission parishes in Macy and Walthill from 1992-1998. I then became pastor of St Boniface in Elgin with St. Bonaventure in Raeville from 1998 until 2005.  I then transferred to St. Francis in Humphrey from 2005 until 2011.  I then began being pastor at St. Wenceslaus.  I asked 1 ½ years ago to become an associate pastor – so I am here now to be penance for Fr. Marc.  I began my priesthood here, and it’s a blessing for me to end it here. 
Just to answer a few questions I get asked.  I usually have water in a bottle, it’s rare I won’t have one.  I am on a medication that my mouth can go from okay and become the Sahara desert in 20 seconds; it’s hard to even talk when my mouth gets dry.  Second, I have “rollator” (fancy walker).  I’m having a struggle with equilibrium; started a few months ago and am hoping the doctors can help me I can discard of it.  Nothing serious, I’m hoping it’s only temporary.

That’s my life in a nutshell.  I’m glad to be here, love praying with the community, and am looking forward to continue making friends in the parish.

Fr. Tom Bauwens