Catholic priests who have served with Monsignor Richard Rolwing say he's a man of wisdom, caring and compassion. And they wish to become more like him as they continue their own ministries.

Rolwing marked his 50th anniversary as a priest with a golden jubilee Mass on Friday evening at St. Mary's Cathedral, where he has served as pastor for the past 16 years. Nearly 600 people attended, including 78 members of Rolwing's family.

Many of the diocese's younger priests have been assigned to serve with Rolwing because he can be a mentor. The first year as a priest can be a formative one as the men learn to put into practice what their seminary education has taught them.

The Rev. Scott Sunnenberg said the monsignor has helped him put his training to use. "He's been good to take the time to care enough to teach you so that you learn the things necessary to be a good priest."

Rolwing has taught him to "expect nothing but to be ready for whatever God asks you to do."

Those are also the lessons that the Rev. Geff Lamprea remembers from his time as an associate pastor at St. Mary's. He is now associate pastor at Sacred Heart parish in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

"One thing he always told me was to be compassionate with the parishioners," Lamprea said. "He said, 'Always listen with your heart.'"

Staying young

And Friday, Rolwing was still young at heart, though his age is 75. He donned what looked like a tie-dyed turquoise-and-white vestment for the golden jubilee service.

The vestment was a gift from the Rev. Patrick Nwokoye, a native of Nigeria who served as a deacon under Rolwing. Nwokoye is an associate pastor at Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Springfield, Mo.

The cloth was actually guinea brocade and was a gift from Nwokoye's family in Nigeria. The fabric is used in celebrations in Nigeria, so Nwokoye thought it fitting for the occasion.

"Monsignor has truly a compassionate spirit and is very young at heart," he said. "He had a great love for me like a father would for a son."

Many of St. Mary's former associate priests said Friday that Rolwing acted both as their mentor and as a father figure, giving them advice and encouragement. But the relationship was likely more that of a grandfather to a grandson when the Rev. Randy Tochtrop was serving at St. Mary's. At the time, Tochtropwas the youngest priest and Rolwing was the oldest active priest in the diocese.

"He was willing to teach me and show me the ropes," Tochtrop said. "He's a very wise man and very pastoral in his approach to people."

At least 40 priests gathered in the church to celebrate Rolwing's years in the priesthood -- an event seldom marked because few priests serve for that length of time. Only four other priests who have retired but are still living in the diocese have reached similar milestones.

"In a world of broken promises, we need a person who can show us that promises can be kept for 50 years or longer," said the Rev. J. Friedel, a campus minister at Southeast Missouri State University.

Rolwing serves as a model of what priests are to be: a preacher and teacher, a worshipper and a pastor and shepherd, Friedel said.

"He's been a blessing to the Catholic church. I really wish that many more priests could be like him," Lamprea said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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