Among the heads of ministries attending the Jesuit Partnership Council event in Milwaukee were (from left) Fr. John Schwantes, SJ, director of the Oshkosh Jesuit Retreat House, Fr. Ed Mathie, SJ, acting president of Marquette University High School, Fr. Peter Etzel, SJ, pastor of Gesu Parish, Fr. Provincial Thomas Krettek, SJ, Greg Meuler, president of the Nativity Jesuit Middle School, and Fr. Dave Shields, SJ, director of Casa Romero Renewal Center.

MILWAUKEE – One jubilee year gave way to another as approximately 300 people attended the Jubilee Celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Wisconsin Province at the Milwaukee Art Museum ’s Windhover Hall.

Hosted by the Jesuit Partnership Council of Milwaukee, the Nov. 9 event was made possible by the generous support and contributions of Jesuit friends and Partners from throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee community.

The event was emceed by Timothy Hanley, a 1978 graduate of Marquette University and a partner with Deloitte& Touche in Milwaukee, and featured a video presentation titled The Holy Boldness of the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus. The production focused on 50 years of service and ministry by the Jesuits since the Province was established in 1955.

Hanley introduced Fr. Provincial Tom Krettek, SJ, one of more than 30 Jesuits in attendance. Fr. Krettek who commented on the 50th anniversary year while looking ahead to Jubilee 2006 in which we honor St. Ignatius of Loyola on the anniversary of his death (July 31, 1556) and the anniversaries of the births of St. Francis Xavier (April 7, 1506) and Bl. Peter Faber (April 13, 1506).

Milwaukee Alderman Bob Baumann, a product of the Marquette University School of Law, read a proclamation honoring the Jesuits and their work. Jim Stern, a 1981 graduate of Marquette University High School and a partner with Foley & Lardner, a prominent Milwaukee law firm, had warm words for the Jesuits and issued a call to action in support of Province ministries.

“It was a wonderful event. The setting was beautiful, and everyone who attended enjoyed celebrating with the Jesuits,” says Sandy Pavlic, a member of the Partnership Council. “Long after it was over, people continued talking about what a lovely event it was. ”

Fr. Dick McGarrity, SJ, president of the Jesuit Partnership, gave the closing blessing. A new cycle of Partnership events is currently being planned for 2006 in Omaha, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

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