News Briefs July 16
Sunday Mass draws large crowd at Lifest 2026
OSHKOSH, WI — Oshkosh native Fr. Ben Johnson presided over Mass attended by nearly 250 people on Sunday, July 12, at Lifest 2026. Lifest is an annual Christian music festival held each year at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh. It began as a walking and running event in 1990 before being reintroduced as a music festival in 1999.
Fr. Johnson is the current priest/parish administrator of St. Anne Parish, where he serves the communities of Coleman, Lena, Klondike, Pound and Spruce.
Zachary Zeckser appointed president of Lourdes Academy
OSHKOSH, WI —Zachary Zeckser has been named the next president of Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh, effective July 1, 2026. Zeckser most recently served as the principal at Xavier Catholic Schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He brings over two decades of experience to the position and is a servant leader deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Zeckser refers to Catholic schools as “Jesus immersion schools,” highlighting his belief in the transformative nature of faith-driven education.
To view the full press release, go to ecatholic.com.
