Fr. Charles Blecha This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. www.stjoemen.org

   www.stjoemen.org/history.htm - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/22/2000   Last Visited: 4/10/2002

   On Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1955, Fr. Charles Blecha, instructor at Aquinas High School for more than 11 years, was named pastor of St. Joseph's Parish. In an impressive ceremony before the altar, Fr. Blecha was officially installed on Sunday evening, Dec. 18.
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   Officers from the various organizations welcomed Fr. Blecha and pledged their cooperation.
   
   The Dunn County Shopper reported that the festival of Halloween at St. Joseph's, in the fall of 1957, was turned into an All Hallow's Eve by the school children with a procession of costumed "saints" at the evening devotions. About 175 children participated in the colorful event, each dressed as a favorite saint. After the procession, the children assembled in their rooms in the school for the judging of costumes and for a treat of cupcakes and chocolate milk while parents and guests were served cupcakes and coffee in the auditorium. The children were given noisemakers as prizes and the solemnity of emulating a saint soon gave way to the noisy merriment of a real party.
   
   The year 1961 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph Church.
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   Students of the School helped dedicate the bells with Fr. Blecha that same spring.
   
   SR. MARGARET BECOMES PRINCIPAL
   
   Sr. Clareone Brill, the principal of St. Joseph's School in 1967 was responsible for organizing the first St. Joseph School Board.
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   In 1984 Fr. Blecha retired as pastor of St. Joseph Parish.
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   The year 2000 also marked the jubilee celebrations of current Pastor Fr. Lyle Schulte (40 years) and Fr. Charles Blecha (60 years) in a parish celebration on May 21, 2000.
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   Marlene Bauer, Fr. Charles Blecha, Fr. Vaughn Brockman, Fr. John Heagle, Sr.