Fr. Billy J. Dodge was appointed full time at Roncalli Newman on July 1, 2018!
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Hi, I am Father Billy! I was raised in the country several miles outside the small town of Ellsworth, WI. I have a younger brother named Dustin. With cowboy names like Billy and Dustin Dodge it is fitting we grew up riding horses, though we eventually exchanged the horses for four-wheelers. Four-wheelers are a lot easier to take of!
My education began at St. Francis Catholic elementary in Ellsworth, and I graduated from Ellsworth High School in 2005. Upon graduating from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN in 2009 with majors in psychology and philosophy I was hired as a campus minister for St. Thomas because I was not brave enough to pursue the priesthood! I thoroughly enjoyed my two years as a campus minister, and through this ministry felt called to pursue priesthood. Subsequently, I was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of La Crosse and sent to the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN. I was ordained June 27, 2015! I love working with people of all ages and backgrounds, especially with college students. College is a pivotal time in our life, and I know what it is like to wrestle with questions such as, “What should I major in?” “How do I find God?” “What is my purpose?” “What do Catholics really believe?” I am happy to meet with anyone – Catholic or not – and help them in your journey. I enjoy traveling, biking, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, jet-skiing, tennis, racquetball, dancing, frisbee golf, card games - especially euchre, and other games. Personally rewarding has been my work with the Restorative Justice Project and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite Scripture passages is when Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b). Amen! |