Father Ted Stoecklein, who previously served as parochial vicar at the Catholic Community of Great Bend, was installed June 24 as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Spearville.

Father Stoecklein was ordained May 19, 2001, at St. Dominic Parish, Garden City, 50 years to the day that the decree establishing the Diocese of Dodge City was signed by Pope Pius IX on May 19, 1951.

The date of his recent installation was notable as well, as it marked the birthday of St. John the Baptist.

Bishop Ronald Gilmore told those gathered that he had spoken to former St. John the Baptist pastor, Father Dennis Reed, that morning from Father Reed’s residence at the Priests’ Retirement Center in Wichita where he is battling cancer. Bishop Gilmore said that Father Reed wished Father Stoecklein to have his personal chalice, which was then used at the installation Mass.

"As I welcome him as your new pastor," Bishop Gilmore said, "I think my deepest hope for you and for him is that he will lead you exactly the way Christ led His disciples."

The congregation of St. John the Baptist Parish is very fortunate to have Father Stoecklein, Bishop Gilmore said. "He’s been much loved every place he has served. Do your best to allow him to lead us in the direction that the Lord tells him."

At the conclusion of Mass, following the installation ceremony, Father Stoecklein said that he had received many comments from people hoping he might get to stay in the parish for a long while. One person noted to him that in his child’s 2 1/2 years, there have been five priests at the Spearville parish.

Father Stoecklein said that he knew "God is at work in my life," and he asked them to trust that God will lead them in the right direction.

"I won’t promise that I will retire here," he said, adding, "I want to invest in you. I trust that God will do great things as we work together."