Fr. Ince is retiring, new pastor named

The Catholic parishes in Waterville and Elysian will have a new pastor next month.

Fr. Micheal Ince, who has led the local churches since November 1991, will be retiring from his position as pastor on July 1.

Fr. John Powers, who was ordained in 2015 and has been most recently serving the parish of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Elko New Market, will become the new pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville and St. Andrew Catholic Church in Elysian. Powers will also be teaching at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault.

Ince plans to continue residing at the rectory in Waterville, a place he has called home for almost three decades. A second bedroom and office area in the local rectory will be made available for Powers, but according to Ince, Powers plans to reside in Faribault.

“We don’t have all the details figured out just yet, but I plan to assist him when and where I can. He’s a young guy, but he’ll have a lot on his plate,” stated Ince, who has faithfully celebrated hundreds of baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and marriages with the community, and has presided over approximately 250 funerals.

“It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve certainly enjoyed all the years I’ve been here,” stated 85-year-old Ince, leaning back in his desk chair with a smile. “I suppose I could have retired years ago, but there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. I always said as long as my body is able, I’ll keep at it… and, this old body has done well, but now I’m dealing with arthritis in my knees and such.”

When asked to reflect on his first weeks as pastor of the local parishes, he chuckles.

“The sole of my shoe came loose during that first Saturday service,” he shared. “I had to slide around that whole weekend before I could go and get another pair of shoes.”

His first summer in Waterville, he learned how to...

To see more on this story pick up the June 24, 2021 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.