About Fr. Michel

I was born in Appleton, Wisconsin and have degrees in religious studies and French from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, with master’s work at St. Norbert College, and also at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. I have worked as a parish musician for decades and have worked in pastoral ministry for more than 30 years, many of those years as director of religious education.  I first professed as a Benedictine in 1982 as an oblate, then later as novice, taking final vows in July of 2009.  My parish work includes many ministries including music, liturgy, and director of vocations for a large Midwestern diocese.  Honoring my Benedictine heritage, I am a spiritual director/companion.

I have 3 sons, Chris, Phil and Stefan. Stefan resides not too far from me, but both his brothers, Chris and Phil, now rest in the heart of God.

I wrestled for 40 plus years with the idea that I was called to be a priest. Through many years of study and active ministry in the Roman church, I struggled with the official policies when human lives were being treated with disregard and a lack of compassion. I longed for a Church that was consistent with the vision of Vatican Council II and allowed latitude when dealing with pastoral issues.  As the Roman church continued to ossify during recent decades, and as it became clear that the promise of Vatican II was never going to be sincerely implemented, I became more and more disillusioned.  Ultimately I found a home in the independent Catholic movement in an attempt to truly live in moral consonance with my conscience.  Like all priests ordained by Orthodox and/or Old Catholic bishops, my ordination to priesthood is deemed valid by the Roman Catholic Church, though I have no juridical ties to either Rome or the local Roman diocese.  I am not completely comfortable with this state of affairs, but on the other hand, it has allowed me to minister freely and in good conscience for the first time in my life.   People otherwise denied the sacraments are coming home and finding the truth that God loves them just as they are.  And I have been liberated to preach exactly what I really think and believe because, unlike my Roman brothers, my income and financial stability doesn’t rest on my ability to cajole people into accepting man-made propositions. This is an exciting time to be a priest!

Currently, I am founding pastor of Holy Redeemer Catholic Community in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and also pastor of Grace St. John’s United Church of Christ–the first Catholic priest to also serve as a Protestant pastor in the United States. I am humbled and blessed beyond measure. It turns out that opening oneself without reservation to God’s call brings upheaval and uncertainty, yes, but it also brings power and grace.  And for that, I am grateful.

I am also a certified recovery specialist, working with alcoholics and drug addicts, having had my own struggles with addictive behaviors. I am regional coordinator for SMART Recovery, because that’s how I found sobriety for myself and frankly, I think science is more useful than the 12 Step religion.