July 7, 1979

Msgr. John Moeder

Msgr. Moeder was born on November 12, 1903 near Odin, Kansas, and studied for the priesthood at St. Lawrence College, Mt. Calvary, WI; St. Francis Seminary, St. Francis, Wisc., and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. Bishop Schwertner ordained him on May 30, 1931 in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Wichita. After serving briefly as administrator in Liebenthal, he was appointed pastor at Plains with Liberal as a mission. From 1932 to 1935 he studied for and received his J.C.D. at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. As pastor he was assigned to Augusta, McPherson and Colwich. During his priesthood he served as assistant chancellor, vice chancellor, pro-synodal judge, chaplain at Mt. St. Mary Convent, director of the Rural Life Conference, and Officialis of the Diocesan Tribunal. He was made a monsignor on December 13, 1963. Msgr. Moeder is especially remembered for writing a history of the Diocese of Wichita. On July 7, 1979 he died at McPherson Memorial Hospital in McPherson, KS. Bishop Maloney was principal celebrant of his funeral Mass on July 11, 1979 at Sacred Heart Church in Colwich. Msgr. Moeder was buried in Colwich.