Deacon Wagner retiring after life of ministry
Deacon Bob Wagner, left, with his wife Ruth, is retiring this weekend after 42 years of ministry. He was ordained a permanent deacon in September 1994. (Submitted photo)
For Deacon Bob Wagner a new chapter in his life will begin on July 1, as that is when his retirement begins after 42 years of ministry.
"I began my church ministry on August 31, 1977," said Deacon Wagner. He said he found out that date when he was filling out paperwork. "I was applying for retirement and they told me what my first day was."
At that time he was working for St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church teaching music for the church and school and taking care of the liturgy music for the weekends.
"I decided maybe I should get more involved," he said. He began by working on his Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies at the University of St. Thomas. "All of a sudden I’m taking graduate studies," he said.
In 1989 he graduated with a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies and then was ordained a permanent deacon in September 1994.
He noted his history between those two points included teaching music at St. Wenceslaus in 1984, followed by teaching at night at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Chanhassen, which became a full time position in 1986. In 1997 he became the full time pastor at St. Hubert’s and then in 2004 he was called to be the parish life administer at Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church in South Minneapolis. He explained it was made up of the....
To see more on this story pick up the June 27, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.
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