Pastor’s Notes

On January 20, 2026, it became official that I am your new Pastor! I am excited and nervous at the same time because I have never been a pastor before. With the help of God, we will do this together. It is a great joy to be with you. I pray that together we will continue to grow in our love of God in our love for each other.

Now I would like to introduce myself to all of you. I grew up in the small town of Sparta, Wisconsin. I was born two months premature and as a result, I don’t see perfectly. Hence, you will see me at Mass wearing special glasses that allow me to read regular print liturgical books. What a gift they had these have been!

I love the Lord and I love my Catholic faith very much. You will find in me a man on fire with the love of God and the truths of our faith. I pray that my ministry with you will bring you joy in your life.

My education career took me to a variety of schools. It started out at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped in Janesville, Wisconsin where I attended from 1975 until 1985. After that, I returned to Sparta Senior High School to complete my high school career. I attended college as a seminarian at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota and received a degree in secondary religious education. Upon graduation from college in 1993, I went to the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. I was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of La Crosse on November 7, 1998.

I love the priesthood and I am glad that I am able to share this great gift that God has given me with you. In my next note, I will tell you about the places where I have been as a pries and my interests as well as fun things that I like to do.

God bless you and I am praying for you.

Fr. Mlsna