Father Ron Will, C.PP.S., celebrates 50 years

Father Ron Will, C.PP.S., was born in February of 1947 in St. Sebastian, Ohio, where he was baptized in 1947 and was confirmed in 1956 at St. Sebastian Church.  

He entered Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, Ohio, in September of 1961. On Aug. 14, 1968, he was incorporated at St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, Ohio. On June 2, 1973, he had his definitive incorporation at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, Ohio. Bishop Joseph Bernardin on June 14, 1974, ordained Fr. Will as a transitional deacon. On June 14, 1975, Bishop Nicholas Elko ordained Fr. Will as a priest at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, Ohio. 

Fr. Will spent his deacon internship at St. Gregory Parish in Chicago, Illinois, from July 1, 1974, to June 30, 1975. After his ordination, he was assigned as associate pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Garden City, Kansas, on Aug. 26, 1975.  

Fr. Will then joined the formation staff at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, from Aug. 20, 1980, to July 1987.  

From Aug. 15, 1987, to July 1, 1988, Fr. Will was the parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Linton, North Dakota, then pastor from July 1, 1988 to Aug. 1, 1993. In the fall of 1993, he took a sabbatical for continuing education at Notre Dame Institute for Clergy in South Bend, Indiana. 

On Jan. 8, 1994, Fr. Will became the pastor at St. James Parish in Liberty, Missouri. He then became the pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Centerville, Iowa, on Aug. 19, 2004.   

On July 1, 2007, Fr. Will became the pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. From July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, he was the parochial administrator at Seven Dolors Parish in Hurlingen, Missouri, along with continuing to be the pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish. On July 1, 2017, Fr. Will took a sabbatical.   

On Feb. 1, 2018, Fr. Will became the sponsor for the Liberty Companions in Liberty, Missouri, which has continued to date. Currently, he is the team lead for the Precious Blood Renewal Center in Liberty, Missouri.   

Over the last fifty years, Fr. Will has been on the provincial council for the former Kansas City Province and is currently on the U.S. Province Provincial Council.                                                                                                    

Favorite bible quote: 
“Here I am Lord ... I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.” 
Isaiah 6