May 18, 1964
Msgr. Mathias J. Gorges
Msgr. Gorges was born in Colwich on April 10, 1903. After studying at St. Benedict’s College, Atchison, KS and St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, WI he was ordained by Bishop Schwertner at the cathedral on May 21, 1932. He served at Loretto, La Crosse, Augusta, Piqua and Chanute before going to his last assignment in Coffeyville on April 20, 1954. Msgr. Gorges was appointed Diocesan Director of the Holy Name Societies on November 5, 1948 and vicar forane of the Chanute Deanery on October 1, 1953 and of the Coffeyville Deanery on November 24, 1956. In 1960 Pope John XXIII named him a domestic prelate. Bishop Byrne celebrated his funeral Mass in Holy Name Parish, Coffeyville, on May 22, 1964 and his burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Colwich.