News & Press Releases

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Hilmer to be ordained

June 05, 2000

Deacon Garth Leo Hilmer, a native of Waterloo, Iowa, will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Gaylord at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, at St. Mary Cathedral. Bishop Patrick R. Cooney will preside and everyone is invited to this special celebration. Hilmer was born April 1, 1952, the son of Otis and Donna Hilmer (his mother is now deceased. He has one sister, Elaine Hilmer-Green. He graduated from Dysart-Geneseo High School, Dysart, Iowa in 1970. He continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado and a Masters degree from St. Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana, before studying for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Hilmer has served in many capacities in the church as cantor, lector, and Eucharistic minister. He has also worked as a hospital chaplain and especially likes working with the elderly. In his free time, Hilmer enjoys reading, hiking, photography, fishing and theatre. Following ordination, Hilmer will be assigned Associate Pastor at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.