Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Fr. Paul Wolf to depart



After nearly a decade of service at Holy Trinity parish, Father Paul Wolf will leave Friday, June 22 for a new assignment at Holy Redeemer in Marshall.

The announcement was made April 13 by Bishop John Niedstedt, and confirmed by Fr. Wolf Tuesday.

“A normal tenure (for a Catholic priest) is about 10 years,” commented Mark Kemmeter of the New Ulm Diocese, who serves as chief of staff for the bishop.

Fr. Wolf will be replaced by Fr. Bill Sprigler from St. Anastasia in Hutchinson, Kemmeter said.

Fr. Bob Mraz of Holy Family in Silver Lake is also being reassigned to Tracy-Walnut Grove-Milroy, Wednesday, June 27.

Monsigner Eugene Lozinski is being reassigned as well, from Glencoe to St. Mary’s Church in Sleepy Eye.

Fr. Keith Salisbury, the parochial vicar of Hutchinson, has been reassigned to Marshall as well.

The work he leaves behind

Fr. Wolf leaves behind a newly built elementary school building, among other accomplishments.

The new elementary was built in 2006, where the old convent building used to be located. The convent was torn down in 2004.

Wolf participated heavily in the fundraising, planning, and construction of the new building.

Overall, Wolf has served as pastor of the parish, and superintendent of the school, as well as principal for Holy Trinity’s elementary and high school at various times.

He has worked on numerous committees – everything from Winstock to Spring Fling, and many other fundraising activities.

As the pastor at Holy Trinity, which serves about 1,000 families, he is busy with weddings, funerals, and baptisms as well.

Through his life, Fr. Wolf has also served on various committees and boards. He was priest council president for nine years, diocesan building committee chair, and a judge for the diocese marriage court.

Many changes have occurred at both the church and the school since Wolf’s arrival in June 1998.

Technology improvements are another result of Wolf’s handiwork.

When Fr. Wolf arrived at Holy Trinity, there were only about 10 computers in the school.

Now, the elementary has one computer lab, the high school has three labs, and each classroom has one computer. All the computers are networked as well.

The telephone system was outdated and needed improvement, Fr. Wolf told the Herald Journal in the past. “It was still the rotary phones with two separate phones for each of the school’s two phone lines.”

The improvements to the church include a new furnace with air conditioning, a new organ, lights, and sound system.

Before he came to Winsted, Fr. Wolf was pastor at St. Mary’s in Seaforth and pastor/principal at St. Anne’s in Wabasso.

New clergy is familiar face

The new clergy for Holy Trinity isn’t that new at all – he is Fr. Bill Sprigler, who serves right next door at St. Anastasia in Hutchinson.

“I’m excited about coming,” Sprigler said.

Sprigler has served at St. Anastasia for seven years, and has a lot of experience with Catholic education, commented his secretary, Donna Conrad.

“He enjoys children and young people,” she said, adding that the youth ministry has grown in Hutchinson since Sprigler has been there.

For those curious about what Sprigler is like, Conrad reported that he has a good sense of humor, and likes a lot of activity. “There is always something going on when he’s around,” she said. He has served on several committees for the parish in Hutchinson.

“He enjoys a good joke, and happens to be a good chef,” she added.

In addition, Sprigler is fiscally aware and good with money. “He has a good grasp on finances,” she said.

Sprigler is set to tentatively start Wednesday, June 27.

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