His priestly ordination will be on June 28
By Jeff Kurowski | For On Mission
Deacon Nicholas Stellpflug is coming home to the Diocese of Green Bay. He will be ordained a priest by Bishop David Ricken at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.
Since the fall of 2021, Deacon Stellpflug has studied at Pontifical North American College in Rome. On Oct. 3, 2024, he was ordained a deacon at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
“I look forward to being a part of the life of a parish community. All the preparation we do in the seminary takes on a new dimension when it meets with the life of the community,” said Deacon Stellpflug, whose home parish is St. Paul, Combined Locks.
Deacon Stellpflug entered seminary in the fall of 2019 at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wis., near Milwaukee.
He said that there have been many faith influences on his journey to the priesthood. He points to his mother, Stephanie Murray, and stepfather, Mike Murray, for their support.
“My older sister, Hannah, has been an incredible example and inspiration to me of the Christian life,” he added.
He said Father Andy Kysely, who was pastor at St. Paul Parish when Deacon Stellpflug was in high school and college, first encouraged him to consider the priesthood. He added that Deacon Jeff Prickette, pastoral leader at Prince of Peace Parish in Green Bay who formerly served in Combined Locks, was a “great example of holiness.”
Last summer, Deacon Stellpflug served at St. Mary Parish, Luxemburg, and Holy Trinity Parish, Casco. His previous summer assignment in the diocese was at St. Therese Parish, Appleton. He said he is grateful to the pastors at those parishes, Father Daniel Schuster (St. Mary/Holy Trinity) and Father Ryan Starks (St. Therese) for showing him “what it is like to live the priesthood as a pastor of souls.”
Father Schuster will vest Deacon Stellpflug at the ordination Mass.
Deacon Stellpflug said that preaching has been among his favorite ministries as a deacon in preparation for the priesthood.
“I love sharing the Good News that Jesus speaks to us every time we hear the Scripture proclaimed in the liturgy,” he said. “It is always new, and I see it as sharing the love of my best friend, Jesus, with the people to whom I preach.”
Deacon Stellpflug said his “heart is filled with gratitude” as his ordination day draws near.
“I give thanks first and foremost to our almighty God and Father for all the ways he has shown me love and mercy, calling me to serve the people of the Diocese of Green Bay as his priest,” he said.