Muesig, Reverend Josephat O.F.M.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 8254
• Religious Vows: Aft 1904
• Stationed at: Abt 1918, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
• News Mention: 26 Oct 1918; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Biography:
Josaphat was born in Milwaukee and attended St. Francis Parish Grade School. He enrolled at St. Lawrence College in Mt. Calvary where he was a lively student who enjoyed his time there. After graduation, he entered the Novitiate in Detroit.
His first assignment after ordination was to teach at Mt. Calvary. One year later, when Luke Rasch drowned in Wolf Lake, Josaphat succeeded him as Pastor of the Parish at St. Joe, while continuing to teach at Calvary. During his term as Pastor, Josaphat installed storm windows, a new furnace and new pews in the church.
Three years later, Josaphat was assigned to St. Joseph's Parish in Appleton. He endeared himself in a special way to the young people, particularly through his jovial and energetic spirit. After five years, he was made Pastor of the Parish. He sparked a fund-raising drive for the new St. Elizabeth Hospital, made the school more energy-efficient, and replaced the floor in the church.
Josaphat quickly gained a reputation as someone who could substantially reduce the debt. After nine years, he was sent to Yonkers, where, after one year, he was appointed Pastor. During his term, the Scholasticate was moved to Garrison and its former residence was bought by the Parish and transformed into Sacred Heart High School.
Three years later, Josaphat was transferred to his home parish, St. Francis in Milwaukee. Together with the Pastor, Pius Stutzer, Josaphat built the Parish Social Center. When he became Pastor three years later, he did much to reduce the debt.
His next field of endeavour was Montana where Josaphat served for three years at Busby and Lame Deer, followed by three years at Broadus and in Powder River County.
Josaphat was then sent as Pastor to St. Elizabeth's in Milwaukee in order to break the back of indebtedness. He built the south exit to the church, brought air conditioners and loud speakers into the church, and had the heating systems connected to a central heating plant. He built a new sacristy and a new garage. With the disappearance of parishioners who only understood German, Josaphat decided that all sermons would be in English. His work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society is especially noteworthy.
Next he became Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Mt. Calvary. He had the church road widened, the parking space in front of the church blacktopped, and saw to countless other details. He organized the centennial celebration of the Parish at Mt. Calvary and saw them to completion before heading to his next and final assignment at St. Joe's in Appleton.
It was there that Josaphat died of a heart attack on Ash Wednesday immediately after celebrating Eucharist, at 64 years of age, after 48 years of Religious Life. He is buried in Milwaukee.