Retired priest ministers to Garrigan, Divine Mercy at 91

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

A native of Whittemore, retired diocesan priest Father Merle Kollasch has lived near his old stomping grounds since retirement in 2009 – in the rectory of St. Joseph Church in Bode that is part of Divine Mercy Parish.

“It’s about 20 miles from Whittemore – a beautiful home… with an attached garage,” said the 91-year-old priest. “People here are so kind to me.”

Another plus of his current location is that Bode is only 30 miles from his last assignment at then Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Pocahontas (now part of St. Sebastian) where he served from 1995 to 2009.

“I loved all of the places I have served, but with Pocahontas I was there for 14 years,” said Father Kollasch.

While he has slowed down due to health, he continues to offer pastoral services within Divine Mercy Parish of Kossuth County and West Bend as well as Bishop Garrigan High School as he is able.

He pointed out that while St. Joseph Church in Bode has church building status, there is still a group of Catholics who come together for prayer, fellowship and brunch which helps “bridge the gap” and allows them an outlet to be with each other.

“People stop in and we talk, but the highlight of my time here has been serving as the chaplain for the Garrigan football team. We’ve been very successful recently,” said Father Kollasch. “I don’t say that because I think I’ve done that, but I am glad to be a part of it.”  

On Nov. 20, the undefeated Garrigan Golden Bears captured the 8-player Iowa football state title with a 44-42 win over Woodbine High School. At the end of the third period, the Bears were down 14-36 but made a huge comeback in the fourth for the win. Garrigan also took home the state title in 2023 and made it to the semi-finals last year.

As the football team chaplain, he noted his primary duty has been to celebrate the Eucharist for the football team on the day of the game or if there is a tournament, sometimes the day before as he did Nov. 19 leading up to the championship game. Mass is offered in the chapel at Garrigan with Deacon Bruce Helleseth assisting from West Bend and Father Zach Jones usually concelebrating. 

The deacon usually gives him a lift to Algona and it’s not out of the question to do a grocery run as part of the trip.

“The members of the football team who go to that Mass are so well-mannered and nicely attired with a shirt and tie. They are prayerful,” said Father Kollasch. “They are what every parent would want their child to be doing spiritually at that age. They are fine young men, I commend them and their parents are doing a good job.”

Kayden Graves, senior, said Father Kollasch reminds the team that they are more than just athletes and their value isn’t based on winning or losing but on the character they build both on and off the field.

“He always brings a sense of calm and joy every time we see him. He helps us understand how to apply our faith in our sports and daily lives,” said Graves. “To the team, he is someone we can all look to for support through both the highs and lows. Father Kollasch has not only shaped us as players, but he is also helping us become better men. For that, the entire team truly appreciates having him around.”

Another senior, Tate Foertsch, commented on how much Father Kollasch means to the team. Despite the priest’s age making it more difficult to get around, the athlete noted it doesn’t stop the football chaplain from celebrating the team Masses and “giving his famous homilies.”

“The wisdom that he possesses is mind-blowing, and by just listening to him talk, you can grasp that fully. He is not able to make it to many of our games because of his mobility problems, but that does not stop him from watching on ‘the tube’ as he calls it,” said Foertsch. 

Mass would not be the same without him, said the football player, adding that the team would definitely not be the same without team chaplain. 

“He will call us out when we are too confident, but he is also the first person to tell us to get some swagger back when we don't have enough. We are beyond thankful for Father Merle and would not be the same without him,” said Foertsch.

The priest was asked to serve as the team chaplain about 10 years ago but this is not the first time he has served in this role. During his first assignment as a priest, Father Kollasch was chaplain for the football team at Bishop Heelan High School from 1964 to 1971. He noted they also had some great teams during those years. 

Father Kollasch said he is a big fan of sports but never played football because his mother thought it was too rough.

“I was a fairly good baseball player, played with my two cousins – Msgr. Armand J. Elbert and Msgr. Louis Kollasch,” he recalled.

As he spoke about some of the places he has served, Father Kollasch became a little emotional as he reflected on the kindness and service now offered to him, especially in recent years when illness has increased out of town doctor’s appointments and he is not as mobile.

“I’ve been pretty sick the last couple of years but somehow God wasn’t ready for me yet, so I survived,” acknowledged the priest, who has battled prostate cancer. “I’m on medication for that and thank God I’m still able to do some things.”

Although Father Kollasch described himself as “somewhat homebound,” he offers ministry and years of priestly wisdom when he can. He gave a talk Nov. 16 on the topic of suffering as part of the Catholic Sun adult faith gatherings of Divine Mercy Parish and has given previous talks as part of that ministry.

“As we get older, sometimes we are afraid and I think we shouldn’t be because there is an opportunity to become closer to the Lord and to be an instrument for his healing and love,” he said. “There have been a few times when I have been really sick. When we are too sick, we can’t pray – so we better pray while we can.”

In addition, he assists with confessions at reconciliation services in the parish and other activities when possible.

“It’s a wonderful life,” stressed the priest.

As he gets older, Father Kollasch said the priesthood has become even more meaningful.

HOME