THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 45, NO. 3 | AUGUST 11, 2023
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, along with various helpers, cuts the ribbon on the new Vianney House for retired priests. Assisting the archbishop, are (from left): Matt McCaffrey of WSKF Architects; Bill Maloney, archdiocesan executive director of stewardship and development; Ryan Trotnic of Excel Contractors; Father Al Rockers, a member of the retirement home board of directors; archdiocesan chancellor/vicar general Father John Riley; and Greg Trum, a member of the retirement home board of directors.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
July 25 marks grand opening of priests retirement home By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
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LATHE — Is Msgr. Raymond Burger ready to move into the new Vianney House here for retired priests? Oh boy, is he ever. Just check out his apartment. “I am moving into this place as soon as possible,” said Msgr. Burger, while standing in the facility’s common area. “My things have been here for almost three months, but I haven’t been able to live here. And I’m looking forward to the day I can stay here all day.” He isn’t alone. Five more retired archdiocesan priests are ready to move in once the occupancy permit is signed, which should happen in days. Most of the retired priests — as well as friends, well-wishers, archdiocesan officials and those involved in its construction — were present for the blessing and grand opening of Vianney House on July 25. “I think this place is really beautiful,”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Father Jerry Volz, a member of the priests retirement home building committee, shows off the common area to friends, well-wishers, archdiocesan officials and those involved in the construction of the facility. said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann during the open house. “Our priests will really enjoy it. It will be a great blessing for them to live in a place that is comfortable and have their
brother priests around. I think it’s fantastic, and I’m so grateful to the people of the archdiocese who made this possible.” This day has been a long time
coming. A check of the archives revealed that the archdiocese has been working on this since 1961, said Father Jerry Volz, a member of the building committee. “I’ve been involved in finding a place for priests for [more than 30] years now,” said Msgr. Burger. “It goes back to Archbishop (Ignatius J.) Strecker,” he continued, “who called Father (Robert) Pflumm and me into his office one day and asked us to look at some property that might be appropriate for a retired priests residence.” It was Archbishop Naumann who finally got the project moving and made its funding one of the priorities of the One Faith, One Family, One Future . . . in Christ capital campaign.
Built for community Not only have archdiocesan parishioners generously contributed to the One Faith campaign to build the >> See “VIANNEY” on page 4