Family Background

I am the youngest of five children born of Jack and Dorothy Felix on June 11, 1955. Both of my parents died prior to my ordination to the priesthood. I have three sisters and one brother. I lived in or near Chippewa Falls, WI all my life. My three sisters and their families live in the Chippewa Falls area, with my brother and his family living in the eastern part of the State of Wisconsin. Educational Background

I attended Catholic grade school and high school in Chippewa Falls. I received a B.A. degree at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, a M.Div. degree at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN prior to ordination, and a M.A. degree at Creighton University, Omaha, NE after ordination.

Pastoral Experience

Following my ordination in 1981, I was appointed associate pastor of St. Anne Parish in Wausau, and taught at Newman High School. In 1983 I was appointed chaplain and instructor at McDonell Central High School and associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Chippewa Falls. In 1988 I was appointed pastor at St. Peter Parish, Tilden, while retaining my role at McDonell. I left the high school in 1990 and became pastor of a combination of parishes including St. John the Baptist Parish, Cooks Valley and Sacred Heart Parish, Jim Falls. In 1995 I was appointed pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish and St. Peter Parish. In 2010, I was assigned Parochial Administrator of St. Anthony’s Parish in Loyal for fourth months. This is the assignment I now leave to become your pastor. Throughout my 33 years of priesthood I served, and continue to serve as instructor for our diocesan Lay Formation Institute (LFI), and appointed Director of Deacon Formation in 2003. I have also served as Dean of the Chippewa Falls Deanery and Chair of the Sacred Worship Commission for the Diocese of LaCrosse, and member of the Board of Admissions for seminary formation. I am cofounder of the Institute of St. Joseph, an association of the faith in the Diocese of LaCrosse, whose members includes diocesan priests, married and single laity, and a small monastic community. The home of the Institute of St. Joseph is now the former Sacred Heart Church in Edson (one mile south of Boyd on Hwy. 29). It is now known as Cor Jesu Oratory. I remain the Moderator General of the Institute of St. Joseph.

Personal Interests

I enjoy outdoor activities such as leisurely biking, walking, hiking, skiing, and fishing. My more sedentary interests include reading, writing, music, theater, art, the culinary arts, and travel. I have had the privilege traveling most of the United States, a good deal of Canada and Europe, and parts of South America, Central America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Pastoral Priorities

I have three main pastoral priorities – Christian formation and vocation, Christian prayer and sacred worship, and Christian mission and charity. Christian formation includes Catholic schools, religious education, youth ministry, and adult formation. Formation leads to vocation. Over the past 27 years as chaplain, instructor, and pastor of parishes in the Chippewa Falls Deanery I have seen the fruits of solid Christian formation in two religious vocations, two young men in the seminary and one entering this year, three permanent deacons, numerous active lay faithful, and more to come. Formation is inspired by grace emanating from a deep relationship with God through personal and communal prayer and the sacraments, most especially the regular practice of reconciliation and participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Sunday Eucharist is the heart and soul of parish life. Christian life does not reach its fulfillment until individuals and the parish dedicate themselves to the practice of charity in the community and in the missionary activity of the whole Church. My current parishes are actively involved in the support of our diocesan orphanage, Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II, in Lurin, Peru; our first diocesan mission in Santa Cruz, Bolivia; serving the community “Agnes Table” for the needy; the local free clinic, weekly food collections for the Salvation Army, and so on. These are the visible and concrete signs that we are a One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Final Thoughts

Finally, a Catholic parish must be an ecclesial family. I take my “Fatherhood” very seriously. I am not a CEO of a company, but the father of a family. Parish family life must be a model for individual families, which includes love, respect, dedication, and fidelity. Leaving my current parishes hurts because of the bonds of love that have been forged in Christ.