By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Priest continues his ministry at nursing home

ASHLAND --He was only a sophomore at DePadua High School when he felt God calling him to the priesthood. Now, 59 years after his ordination, Fr. Conan Mitchell, OFM, continues to answer God's call and faithfully carry out his mission.

For his dedication, the Wisconsin Health Care Association recently awarded him with the title "Spiritual Leader of the Year." When asked about the award, Mitchell said humbly, "All I can say is that I am grateful to the lord for this honor."

Mitchell resides at Court Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ashland, where he was honored at an open house on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

After suffering a stroke in February of 2002, the 87-year-old priest found himself confined to a wheel chair and unable to use his left hand. This, however, has not stopped him from spreading the Gospel and serving those around him.

"I'm alive and still trying to serve the Lord," he said. He says 10 a.m. Mass every day of the week and is available whenever residents need his help.

He began saying the daily Mass in March, and soon it had to be moved to a downstairs lounge to accommodate a growing number of people who wished to attend.

An average of 20 residents now gather for Mass on the weekdays. Because Our Lady of the Lake Parish does not hold Mass on Saturday morning, a number of parishioners head to the rehabilitation center. Mitchell's weekend services draw as many as 40 people from the community.

Residents are grateful for Mitchell's work at Court Manor. Some had not attended church services in years, and now they have the opportunity to do so daily.

John Osmak, a resident who is from Dauby, said, "It means so much to me that I can go to church. We never miss Mass, and I'm so glad I can come here."

Arlene Gillies, a member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, attends Mass nearly every day. She assists Mitchell by lighting the candles, reading the epistle, ringing the bell and distributing Communion.

"I'm not one to get up in the morning, and I have a hard time getting to 7:30 Mass. But now I have no excuse for not going at 10" Gillies said. "I think God put me at the right place and the right time when he planted me with Father."

Paul Hassel also assists Mitchell with Mass. While recovering from a broken hip, he was Mitchell's roommate for a few months. Hassel now lives at home again, but he returns for Mass each day. "We are so proud of Fr. Conan," he said.

Mitchell was born in Ashland on July 13, 1915 as the seventh of 11 children. He left high school during his sophomore year after deciding to become a Franciscan priest.

"After I received the sacrament of confirmation, I felt God was calling me to this, " he said.

Responding to God's call, Mitchell enrolled at St. Joseph Seminary in Westmont, Ill. He later studied philosophy for four years in Cleveland, Ohio, and then studied theology at St. Joseph Theology Seminary in Teutopolis, Ill, where he was ordained in 1943.

Shortly after becoming a priest, Mitchell, like so many other young men during World War II, wanted to join the Navy. However, "I was told I first needed four years of experience in the priesthood," he said. "By then, the war was over."

Though he did not go overseas, Mitchell remembers those who did. Wherever he was assigned, Mitchell was dedicated to serving the people. He has worked at parishes in Chicago; Joliet, Ill.; Eureka, Mo.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Muskegon, Mich. and Jordan, Minn.

In 1991, Mitchell received an opportunity to return home to Ashland. Fr. Vernon J. Olmer, OFM, former pastor at Our Lady of the Lake, asked Mitchell to fill in. He became senior parochial vicar.

Mitchell was eager to help the Ashland community, and he did so in many ways. Mainly, "I was available for the cares of the people and for the sacraments," he said.

His contributions also included instituting a birthday baptism program, in which Catholic school children renewed their baptismal vows through a special service and ceremony.

Now at Court Manor, Mitchell continues to use the talents God placed before him. His recent experiences, he said, have brought him closer to God than ever before. "It has increased my faith to know that I'm working with and for the Lord," he said.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002