Archdiocesan Priests
25TH ANNIVERSARY
Father Frederick Devaraj
Birthplace: Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India
Education: Bangalore University, Mt. St. Alphonsus Redemptorist Theologate in Bangalore
Ordination: April 17, 1997, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India, by Bishop Gabriel Lawrence Sengol
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Francis Borgia, Washington, 2015-18
Associate pastor, St. Alban Roe, Wildwood, 2018-present
About Father Devaraj: Father Devaraj was ordained in 1997 for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and came to the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2015. He was incardinated in the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2019.
Father James Dyer
Birthplace: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Education: Saint Louis University, Texas Christian University, Arizona State, University of Montana, Forest Park Community College, Sacred Heart School of Theology
Ordination: May 24, 1997, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Angela Merici, Florissant, 1997-2000
Associate pastor, St. Clare of Assisi, Ellisville, 2000-03
Associate pastor, St. Joseph, Farmington, 2003-16
Retirement, 2016-present
Father Raymond Hager
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Tech, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Community College, Saint Louis University, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Ordination: May 24, 1997, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Monica, Creve Coeur, 1997-2001
Associate pastor, Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, 2001-05
Associate pastor, St. Joseph, Cottleville, 2005-06
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Elsberry, 2006-13
Pastor, St. Barnabas, O’Fallon, 2013-21
Retirement, 2021-present
Father Thomas Keller
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-South, Saint Louis University, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Ordination: May 24, 1997, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Oakville, 1997-2001
Part-time associate pastor, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 2001-08
Archdiocesan master of ceremonies, 2001-08
Associate director, Office of Worship, 2001-06
Appointed director of the Apostleship of Prayer, 2004-present
Faculty, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, 2006-08
Pastor, St. Angela Merici, Florissant, 2008-14
Pastor, Assumption, Mattese, 2014-present
Father Jeffrey Maassen
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Saint Louis University Law School, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 24, 1997, at the Cathedral of St. Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Charles, 1997-99
Part-time associate pastor, St. Clare of Assisi, Ellisville, and teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, 1999-2000
Associate pastor, Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish, St. Charles, 2000-04
Pastor, St. Angela Merici, Florissant, 2004-08
Pastor, St. David, Arnold, 2008-13
Pastor, Our Lady, Festus, 2013-18
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Valley Park, 2018-present
Father Bradley Modde
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Saint Louis University, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 24, 1997, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Joan of Arc, St. Louis, 1997-2000
Chaplain, St. Mary’s High School, 2000-10
Part-time associate pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Louis, 2000-03
Part-time associate pastor, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Louis, 2003-04
Part-time associate pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Louis, 2004-10
Associate pastor, St. Joseph, Manchester, 2010-11
Parochial administrator, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Louis, 2011-12
Pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Louis, 2012-15
Pastor, St. Simon the Apostle, south St. Louis County, 2015-present
About Father Modde: Father Modde has thoroughly enjoyed his diverse assignments over the past 25 years: full-time parish work as an associate pastor; teaching, coaching and mentoring at St. Mary’s High School; member of the board of directors for Microfinancing Partners in Africa, which strengthens microfinancing programs in Africa and empowers people living in poverty through access to services and education; and being a pastor and journeying with a parish community striving to build up the Kingdom of God here and now. “I am grateful for the many ways God has been present to me during these past 25 years through my family, my friends, and His people, the Body of Christ,” he said.
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Father John Deken
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-South, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 20, 1972, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Casimir, north St. Louis County, 1972-75
Associate pastor, Christ the King, University City, 1975-80
Associate pastor, St. Patrick, University City, 1980-81
Pastor, Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, 1997-2003
Pastor, Assumption, New Haven, and St. Paul, Berger, 2003-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Chaplain, U.S. Army, 1981-97
About Father Deken: Father Deken’s overseas tours with the Army included Korea, Egypt and two tours in Germany. He also served stateside in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Kentucky. Father Deken is a member of the American Legion, VFW and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Father Michael Donald
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-South, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 20, 1972, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Andrew, Lemay, 1972-76
Associate pastor, Most Holy Name, St. Louis, 1976-78
Associate pastor, Transfiguration, Florissant, 1978
Associate pastor, Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, 1978-85
Associate pastor, St. Blaise, Maryland Heights, 1985-1991
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Crystal City, 1991-2004
Senior associate pastor, Assumption in Mattese, 2004-06
Parochial administrator, St. Clare, St. Clair, 2006-07
Senior associate pastor, St. Monica, Creve Coeur, 2007-19
Senior associate pastor, St. Joseph, Clayton, 2019-22
Retired priest in residence at St. Joseph, Clayton, 2022-present
About Father Donald: Father Donald served as dean of the Festus Deanery in the 1990s, as archdiocesan Scout chaplain from 1985-2008 and was an active member of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Msgr. Norbert Ernst
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-South, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 20, 1972, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Angela Merici, Florissant, 1972-77
Associate pastor, Sts. John and James, Ferguson, 1977-82
Associate pastor, All Souls, Overland, 1982-88
Associate pastor, St. Peter, Kirkwood, 1988-91
Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace, House Springs, 1991-2004
Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Oakville, 2004-present
About Msgr. Ernst: Msgr. Ernst was appointed in 1997 as a priest consultor for the archdiocese for a five-year term. In 2003, he was named Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II and was given the title monsignor. Msgr. Ernst also is a proud member of the Father Scheid Players since its inception in 1981.
Father Philip Krahman
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-South, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University (master’s in pastoral health care)
Ordination: May 20, 1972, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, Good Shepherd, Ferguson, 1972-76
Associate pastor, St. Rose of Lima, DeSoto, 1976-78
Associate pastor, Transfiguration, Florissant, 1978-81
Associate pastor, All Saints, St. Peters, 1981-87
Associate pastor, St. Martin de Porres, Hazelwood, 1987-88
Chaplain, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Creve Coeur, 1990-2008
Part-time associate pastor, Corpus Christi, Jennings, 1988-92
Part-time associate pastor, Little Flower, Richmond Heights, 1992-99
Part-time associate pastor, St. Monica, Creve Coeur, 1999-2000
Associate pastor, St. Richard, Creve Coeur, 2000-08
Associate pastor, Sacred Heart, Valley Park, 2008-09
Associate pastor, All Saints, St. Peters, 2009-11
Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Old Monroe, 2011-13
Appointed archbishop’s liaison to senior priests, 2014-present
About Father Krahman: Father Krahman attended Saint Louis University in the 1980s, where he studied pastoral heath care. Following that, he was a chaplain at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center (now Mercy St. Louis) for nearly 20 years. Father Krahman now serves as the archbishop’s liaison to senior priests.
Msgr. John Leykam
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Louis University High School, Saint Louis University, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 20, 1972, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, Sacred Heart, Florissant, 1972-75
Part-time associate pastor, Annunciation, Webster Groves, 1975-82
Part-time co-director of field education/apostolic service, Cardinal Glennon College, 1975-90
Spiritual director, Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, 1976-2009
Associate pastor, Mary Queen of Peace, Webster Groves, 1982-90
Pastor, St. Kevin, St. Ann, 1991-2002
Pastor, Holy Trinity, St. Ann, 2002-09
Pastor, Annunziata, Ladue, 2009-present
About Msgr. Leykam: Msgr. Leykam served on the Priests’ Council, as member of the Priests’ Mutual Benefit Society, dean of the Northwest County Deanery and Southwest County Deanery, member of the College of Consultors for the archdiocese and member of the board of trustees at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. In 2003, he was named Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II and given the title monsignor. In 2008, he was named Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI.
Father James Mitulski
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Holy Family Seminary, St. Leonard College
Ordination: June 10, 1972, at St. Leonard College, Centerville, Ohio, by Archbishop Nicholas Elke
Service in the archdiocese:
Chaplain, St. Joseph Hospital, Kirkwood, 1975
Associate pastor, St. Bernadette, Lemay, 1976-78
Associate pastor, St. Sebastian, St. Louis, 1978
Teacher, Bishop DuBourg High School, St. Louis, 1978-88
Part-time associate pastor, St. Peter, Kirkwood, 1978-80
Part-time associate pastor, St. Gabriel, 1980-87
Part-time associate pastor, St. Michael, Shrewsbury, 1987-88
Director, Newman Center at Washington University Medical Schools, 1988-90
Pastor, St. David, Arnold, 1990-94
Part-time, St. Blaise, Maryland Heights, 1994-96
Senior associate pastor, St. Joseph, Manchester, 1996-97
Associate pastor, Resurrection, St. Louis, 1997
Associate pastor, All Saints, St. Peters, 1997-2002
Pastor, St. Joseph, Farmington, 2002-05
Pastor, St. Norbert, Florissant, 2005-21
Retirement, 2021-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cuero, Texas, and St. Aloysius, Westhoff, Texas, 1975-76
About Father Mitulski: Father Mitulski was ordained as a priest with the Missionaries of the Holy Family. He began his priestly ministry as a vocation director and member of the Holy Family Seminary formation team. In 1979, he was incardinated into the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Father Mitulski also served as dean for the Northeast County Deanery.
60TH ANNIVERSARY
Msgr. Thomas Dempsey
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: April 7, 1962, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Part-time religion teacher, Bishop DuBourg High School, 1962-63
Assistant pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Ferguson, 1962-63
Part-time assistant pastor, St. Monica, Creve Coeur, 1963-76
Teacher, Duchesne High School, St. Charles, 1963-81
Part-time associate pastor, St. Patrick, Wentzville, 1976
Associate pastor, St. Peter, St. Charles, 1976-81
Associate pastor, St. Dismas, Florissant, 1981
Pastor, Most Holy Trinity, St. Louis, 1981-86
Pastor, Assumption, Mattese, 1986-2001
Pastor, Holy Infant, Ballwin, 2001-11
Retirement, with residence at St. Joan of Arc, St. Louis, 2011-21
Retirement, with residence at Regina Cleri
About Msgr. Dempsey: While pastor of Assumption Parish, Msgr. Dempsey served several terms as dean of the Southeast County Deanery. In 1995, he was named Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II and given the title monsignor.
65TH ANNIVERSARY
Msgr. James Pieper
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Cathedral Latin School, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: April 6, 1957, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, Immacolata, Richmond Heights, 1957-61
Appointed to work in the Archdiocesan Tribunal, 1961
Post-graduate work at the North American College, Rome, 1962
Part-time assistant pastor, St. Mary Magdalen, Brentwood, 1965-69
Part-time associate pastor, Most Precious Blood, St. Louis, 1969-80
Vicar for religious, 1970
Chaplain, Ursuline Academy, 1977-80
Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, St. Louis, 1980-89
Administrator, St. Clement of Rome, Des Peres, 1989
Pastor, St. Clement of Rome, Des Peres, 1990-2014
Retirement, 2014-present
About Msgr. Pieper: Msgr. Pieper was named Prelate of Honor by Pope Paul VI in 1977, and given the title monsignor. He also served in a variety of capacities in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, including with the Archdiocesan Tribunal, as a vicar for religious, a high school chaplain and as a dean.
Father David Wichlan
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Cathedral Latin School, St. Louis preparatory Seminary, Los Angeles College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: April 6, 1957, at the Cathedral of Saint Louis by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Missionary Apostolate Plan in southern Missouri, 1957-58
Assistant pastor, Notre Dame, Wellston, 1958-62
Teacher, Bishop DuBourg High School, 1962-1973
Assistant pastor, St. Cecilia, St. Louis, 1962-70
Part-time associate pastor, Resurrection, St. Louis, 1970-73
Associate pastor, St. Blaise, Maryland Heights, 1973-74
Pastor, St. Philip Neri, St. Louis, 1974-75
Pastor, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Louis, 1975-78
Pastor, Assumption, Herculaneum, 1978-84
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Valley Park, 1984-88
Sabbatical to pursue theology studies, 1988
Senior priest in residence, Our Lady of Sorrows, 1989-90
Pastor, St. Rita, Vinita Park, 1990-2018
Retirement, 2018-present