Fr. Thomas Knoblach, Pastor
Fr. Tom Knoblach was ordained on June 13, 1987 for the Diocese of Saint Cloud. A native of Saint Cloud, Fr. Tom was born in 1961, the youngest of four children of Alois and Mary (Steinbach) Knoblach. He was baptized at Saint Anthony's and grew up at Saint Peter's. Fr. Tom is a graduate of Cathedral High School (1979) and entered the seminary in 1981. He graduated from St. Mary's College in Winona in 1983 and studied at the North American College and the Angelicum University in Rome. Fr. Tom has served the parishes of Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids (associate pastor), St. Anthony's in St. Cloud (associate pastor), St. Mary's in Milaca, St. Ann's in Winona, St. Joseph's in Bertha, St. Edward's in Henning, St. Charles in Herman, St. Mary's in Chokio, St. Wendelin's in Luxemburg, and St. Anne's in Kimball prior to coming to the cluster of Holy Spirit, St. Anthony, and St. John Cantius in June, 2007. He was also asked to return to graduate studies in Houston (M.A. in Philosophy, 1994) and St. Louis (Ph.D. in Health Care Ethics, 2003). In addition to his parish work, Fr. Tom is the Consultant for Healthcare Ethics for the Diocese of St. Cloud. He also serves on several committees and boards on issues related to theology and ethics.
Fr. Tom enjoys reading, biking, walking, woodworking, and auto mechanics.
Fr. Matthew Crane
After studying at St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Paul Seminary, two institutions which are part of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, Fr. Matthew Crane was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Cloud on June 4, 2011. Fr. Matthew grew up in Elk River, MN, where he attended St. Andrew's Catholic School.
He enjoys reading good literature of all sorts - novels, short fiction, and even poetry - and he occasionally attempts some poetry himself. He also enjoys biking, playing catch, and putting together a good meal.
Deacon Fred Reker
Fred was born in Lismore, MN on September 22, 1928 to Fred and Catherine (Kern) Reker. He was educated at St. Anthony's school in Lismore, Graduating in 1946. He then attended St. Mary's College in Winona, MN where he graduated in 1951 with a B.A. degree with a Philosophy major and Latin Minor. Fred then attended St. John's School of Theology from 1951-1954.
Fred worked at the liturgical press at St. John's Abby from December 1955 to December 1993.
Fred married Rita Bechtold on June 14, 1958
Deacon Fred has served the Parish of St. John Cantius since his ordination June 2, 1978. Deacon Fred is kept very busy; he conducts wake and funeral services; he is the spiritual director for the Catholic aid society, and the Daughters of Isabella (city wide); and he is chaplain for the Foley Nursing Center.
Deacon Frank Ringsmuth
Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry – St. John's University School of Theology
Ordained by Bishop John Kinney on June 11, 2011, the feast of St. Barnabas
I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to serve the priests and the people of God as a permanent deacon. Like most permanent deacons, I live a dual vocation – married to Laura for 33 years, and now serving the Church in a special way as a deacon. I understand the diaconate to be a visible sign of God's work in and through his people.
Of all my experiences during diaconate formation, I want to mention three that were foundational to my ministry as a deacon. First, I spent a semester ministering to people who were in hospice care, journeying through their final stage of life on earth. Although each person was unique, I was moved by the sense of peace and the strong faith most of those in hospice demonstrated to me. It was a joy to pray and spend time with those in hospice. Second, my work in our parish cluster's RCIA program afforded me the opportunity to use what I have been learning in formation to dialogue with those who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Finally, I spent three weeks in the Holy Land in May 2010, walking in the steps of our Lord and the first disciples. That was an exceptional experience, which added depth to my understanding of the Scriptures, a depth I will enjoy sharing through homilies and opportunities to teach in my ministry.