8/24/2005 – News
Volume 122, Number
Fr. Pfau celebrates 40 years as priest
Editor’s note: The following article appeared in the August 15 issue of The Transcript at New Rockford. It concerns Esmond native Fr. Bernard Pfau, who serves as a priest in New Rockford. Fr. Pfau is a 1957 graduate of Esmond High School.
BY CARYN WOODSTEAD
The Transcript
Fr. Bernard Pfau, pastor of St. John’s Catholic Church in New Rockford and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in McHenry, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, July 31 at St. John’s Catholic Church in New Rockford. Following the mass was a program and then a meal served by St. John’s Altar Society.
The Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, D.D., Bishop of Fargo, along with more than 30 priests and deacons from the Fargo Diocese and Fr. Jim Dillenburg of St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Green Bay, Wisc., a classmate of Fr. Pfau at the seminary, were on hand to help concelebrate the mass. Fr. Dan Pilon was the homilist. Bishop Aquila also had some remarks for Fr. Pfau at the conclusion of the mass.
The church itself was filled with family and friends of Fr. Pfau, including representatives from most of the parishes and missions he’s served over the years. Fr. Pfau’s mother, Mary, along with nine of her 15 children, including Fr. Pfau, was present for the celebration.
Fr. Pfau has had six assignments over his 40 years as a priest with his longest assignment being at the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown, where he spent 17 years. He came to the New Rockford and McHenry parishes in the summer of 2002.
Sandie Nicolai, president of the St. John’s Pastoral Council, was the master of ceremonies for the program after the Mass of Thanksgiving. She spoke of many memories she had of her years of knowing Fr. Pfau.
A video presentation was done by Rod and Mary Ann Hoffmeyer and the Pfau family gift of a handcrafted stole was presented to Fr. Pfau by his sister, Sr. Marita Pfau, OSF. Fr. Larry Haas of Sacred Heart Parish in Carrington followed with some comments and a few jokes, as he gave Fr. Pfau a bit of a hard time about his love of the game of golf. Jamestown Mayor Charlie Kourajian spoke on behalf of the Basilica of St. James in regard to Fr.
Pfau’s years of service as pastor there.
Fr. Pfau made a few remarks and expressed his appreciation to all who shared in his celebration. He led those assembled in the Prayer to St.
Michael, a prayer that holds special meaning for Fr. Pfau in part because of its importance to his father, Michael, who is no longer living.
Following a blessing by Bishop Aquila, a meal was served to all the guests by St. John’s Altar Society.
Members of Fr. Pfau’s family gathered to help him celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination. Fr. Pfau is seated in the center of the photo. Seated next to him is his mother, Mary Pfau.
4-H exchange held here
Benson County 4-H Clubs participated in a 4-H exchange program August 7-14 with the Ionia County 4-H Club from Michigan. Most of the students were from Saranac, Mich. This program can help gain a better understanding of life in another part of the country, develop leadership skills in youth and adults, build new friendships and appreciate the spirit of cooperation necessary to make the exchange possible. The 4-H’ers traveled to the ND State Capitol, attended the Medora Musical, helped with farm work with their host families and learned about Benson County and North Dakota. Next year, the Benson County exchange students will travel to Michigan. Left to right are Michigan and Benson County 4-H members, front row: Stephanie Dawes, Ashley Orlowski, Michelle Hausserman, Ashley Hausserman, Jillian Maddock, Ericka Sage, Kimberly Randle and Levi Slater. Back row: Michelle Olson, Shawndra Smith, Wade Shields, Callie Rumbaugh, Cyndi Keller, Briana Yri, Jordan Backstrom, Travis Ackerson, Andy Backstrom and Anne Backstrom.
FFA conference
The Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA Chapter, along with the Maddock FFA Alumni, held the 5th annual officer leadership conference August 5 and 6 at the Maddock School. Fifty-four chapter officers, along with five state FFA officers, attended. Chapters sending officers were Maddock, Harvey, Carrington, Fessenden, Medina, Tappen, DesLacs-Burlington, Lisbon and Napoleon. State officers attending who provided leadership workshops were state FFA secretary Andrew Hagen; state FFA ambassador Robert Foertsch; northeast region vice president Jared Person; southeast region vice president Jayme Fiesel; and northwest region vice president Andrew Dosch.
Officers were provided workshops in parliamentary procedure, problem solving, team building and individual officer training.
Outstanding educator
Terry Yri of Minnewaukan, the family and consumer science (FACS) teacher at the Maddock School, was presented the FACS Outstanding Young Educator of the Year Award at the professional development conference August 8. Left to right are Wayne Kutzer, state FACS director; Terry Yri; Kathy Walsh, FACS teacher in Harvey; and Gov. John Hoeven.