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Father
Brian Joseph
Wilk
Ordained May of 2003
Biography
Parents: Rita and John Wilk,
South Milwaukee
Educational background:
Grade
school:
St. Mary School, South Milwaukee
High
school:
South Milwaukee High School
College: University of
Wisconsin-Madison, B.A. in political science, M.A. in public policy and
administration
Seminary/theology: Master of Divinity
degree, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass.
Previous employment: Worked in the field
of government and education administration
Clinical pastoral
training:
Metro West Medical Center, Framingham, Mass.
Pastoral internship: Wellesley College,
Boston, Mass.
Deacon ordination:
Deacon placement: St. Michael Parish,
North Andover, Mass.
First public Mass of
Thanksgiving:
Saturday, May 24,
2003: St. Dennis Church, Madison; Fr.
Randy Timmerman, homilist; Sr. Lucille Marie Frost and Gerald Wilk, lectors;
concelebrants, priest friends; reception following Mass at St. Dennis
Reflections:
Derived from Madison Catholic Herald, 05 22 2003
As I approach
ordination (2003), I am filled with feelings of both joy and anticipation. My
four years at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., have gone
quickly and I am eager to return to Madison.
In looking back over
the past years, the support and encouragement I have received from the bishops,
the priests, and all the faithful of the Diocese of Madison have been greatly
appreciated. Knowing that others were praying for me was a source of strength
throughout my seminary studies.
I am also indebted to
those priests of the diocese who served as my supervisors while I was home for
summer breaks: Msgr. Ken Fiedler, Msgr. Tom Baxter, and Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt. They, along with their parochial vicars -
Fr. Todd Van Natta and Fr. Bart Timmerman - provided me with a real feel for
parish life and were good examples of how to serve God's people.
As I prepare for
ordination in just a few short days, I know that the task before me will be a
challenge unlike any I have ever faced. I do know, however, that God has put me
on this path and will sustain me in both times of sorrow and joy. As Psalm 27
so beautifully states, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom
should I be afraid?"
I ask for your
continued prayers as I begin this next chapter in my life.