Father Leisen to Celebrate 50 Years of Priesthood in Paynesville on Sunday

Father Richard Leisen - pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville for the past 19 years - will be honored on Sunday for his 50 years as a priest. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of his ordination will begin with Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the church and will include an open house, short program, and dinner after the service.

This mile-marker is "not a big deal," for Leisen, who sees it as "part of the course of life." The years have gone by quickly, and it certainly does not seem like his ordination was a half century ago, he added. Leisen has been the priest at St. Louis Catholic Church since 1987 and does not plan to leave his post. "I enjoy doing what I'm doing, so why not keep doing it?" he asked. [snip] Paynesville Press