Priesthood Sunday USA | October 26, 2008 >> Priesthood Sunday | Priest Heroes >> Priesthood Sunday | Fr. Weber
PRIEST HEROES:

Don and Gordon Weber

By STACY TORNIO
Waukesha (Wisconsin) Freeman Staff

A Lifetime of Service: Brother Serve the Catholic Church Together

WAUKESHA - Together, brothers Don and Gordon Weber have been serving the Catholic Church for more than 100 years. To be exact, they have been ministering for a combined 109 years. Don is 82 and Gordon is 77, which makes them the oldest brothers still serving the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

"We're both retired, but we're semi-retired," Don said. "You remember the past, you live in the present and you anticipate the future." Don and Gordon grew up in a Catholic home and were altar boys in their church. They both knew at an early age that they wanted to join the priesthood. "Faith and religion, we believe, are very important things in our society and culture," Gordon said. "If a person is called to the ministry, it is
very worthwhile, satisfying, interesting work."

Over the years, Don and Gordon have served at several parishes in the area. Don started his priesthood at a parish in Racine and eventually went on to do specialized work for the archdiocese's Family Life program. Most of Gordon's service has been in parish life, including work with the St. Mary's churches in Menomonee Falls, Elm Grove and Waukesha. "We enjoy our ministry. We are needed in the ministry," Gordon said.

Today, Gordon still serves at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waukesha and Gordon celebrates Mass at Brookfield Highlands, the retirement community where they reside. "There are still needs in the church and there are fewer and fewer of us," Don said. Dick Jahnke lives in Waukesha and is the local president of the Serra Club where Don serves as chaplain. "I think he's a testimony to the priesthood," Jahnke said. "Many times he will give us words of wisdom or he would tell us a joke." This is part of Don's tradition. He always ends his Mass with a joke or story. "They may not always remember the homily, but they'll remember the story," Don said. Gordon and Don have seen the Catholic Church evolve over time and believe it is a timeless entity within the community. "There's a saying I like," Gordon said. "We believe that the Catholic
Church is a changing changeless church."


Submitted by Monica Hanley