The 2026 annual event was celebrated at Holy Trinity Parish in Casco on the feast of St. Isidore the Farmer
By William Van de Planque | On Mission
CASCO, WI — The annual Rural Life Day Mass, traditionally celebrated on the feast of St. Isidore the Farmer, was held this year at Holy Trinity Parish in Casco on Friday, May 15.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr. John Girotti, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Green Bay; Fr. Daniel Schuster, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish; Fr. Juan Manuel Ruiz, CR, parochial vicar of Holy Trinity Parish; Fr. Mark Mleziva, vocation director for the Diocese of Green Bay; and Fr. Matthew Colle.
The intention of the Mass was for “all farmers.” Fr. Ruiz celebrated a Mass in Spanish later in the day with the specific intention of “all workers.”
Following the Mass and the traditional blessing of the seeds, the event continued in the cafeteria of Holy Trinity Catholic School, including lunch, a talk, and a performance by the school’s students.
“It’s not even a job; it’s just something that I truly enjoy,” said Curt Julian, the principal of the parish school, about his role as he introduced the students.
The second, third and fourth graders sang two songs in honor of St. Isidore the Farmer.
Fr. Matthew Colle, who grew up in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, on his parents’ sheep and beef cattle farm, gave the talk to close out the event, sharing lessons he learned from growing up on a farm that help him be a better priest today.
“Growing up on a farm prepared me to be a priest, one who sanctifies the people, one who sacrifices; to be a king, one who governs and leads the people and guides the people; and to be a prophet, one who teaches the people,” said Fr. Colle, who serves as the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Brillion. “This was Jesus’ ministry; he was priest, prophet and king.”
See more photos here: onmiss.io/rurallife2026