Fr. Michael Celebrates 55th Anniversary of Ordination

Fr. Michael Volkmer, C.PP.S. was ordained a priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood on June 1, 1968, at St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, OH, by Auxiliary Bishop Edward McCarthy.

Fr. Michael was born December 10, 1939 in Nebraska City, NE, the second oldest of seven children and belonged to a parish served by Precious Blood priests. As a boy, he witnessed his parents’ devotion to the Catholic faith; he attributes their example, in part, to his vocation.

He graduated from high school in 1958, attended Creighton University for two years, then entered St. Charles Seminary in Carthagina, OH where he studied theology. After ordination, he taught at the Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, MO, for eight years.

He then moved into pastoral ministry, serving at St. Mary Parish in Centerville IA, from 1976-82. He then served at parishes in Wisconsin and Missouri before returning to the diocese in 2007 to serve as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Albia IA. When he turned 75 in 2015, he was relieved of this assignment in accord with diocesan policy for priests serving beyond their 75th birthdays. He then served as administrator of the Albia parish with all the rights and duties of pastor.

In 2019, he moved to Liberty and on July 1 of that year he became the senior priest in residence at St. James.

Upon arriving here, it did not take Fr. Michael long to become an integral part of our parish life. In addition to serving at daily and weekend Masses, he visits the homebound, hospitals, nursing and assisted living residences, giving comfort where needed and always the Eucharist. He volunteers at One City Café, a soup kitchen in Kansas City’s inner city.

In addition, immediately upon his arrival here he became active in the local St. James Council and assumed the duties as the St. James Council Knights Chaplain supporting 3rd degree and 4th degree requirements and meetings. Over the past year, thanks to Father Michael’s participation in each of the St. James Council’s eight live degree ceremonies, the local Council has added 76 new members and received the 5 Star Council Award and the State of Missouri Knights Membership Award.

Once, when asked about his ministry, Fr. Michael said “I would say that I love my priesthood and parochial ministry. The best part of my priesthood has been interacting with the people of the five parishes that I have served, celebrating the sacraments, and working with their various ministries.”

At a meeting of the St. James Knights of Columbus, Council 6780, last weekend, it was announced that Fr. Michael has been selected to receive the State Blessed Michael McGivney Award given to a council chaplain who supports the Knights in many ways and whose dedication and service goes beyond expectations. Fr. Michael will receive the award at a Knights state meeting in Jefferson City on July 8.