Father Jerome Kroetsch CR

Reverend Father Jerome Kroetsch, CR The Congregation of the Resurrection announces the death on September 17, 2012 of Father Jerome Kroetsch of Resurrection Manor, Waterloo, Ontario. He was 76 years old and in his 51st year of priesthood. Father Kroetsch is predeceased by his parents Leo and Bertha (nee Hartman), sisters Sister Gertrude and Sister Bernice of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, sister-in-law Betty, and brothers-in-law Ian MacDonald and Bert Paolini. He is survived by his siblings Agnes (Carl) Voll, Cletus, Mary Ann Paolini, Albert (Edna), and Sister Sharon of the School Sisters of Notre Dame; and also by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Father Kroetsch professed his religious vows in the Congregation on September 8, 1954 and was ordained to the ministerial priesthood on April 7, 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri. He began his ministry in Catholic education teaching physics, mathematics and religious studies at St. Jerome’s High School in Kitchener. Fr. Kroetsch served in multiple roles within the Congregation including Novice Director, Assistant Director of Seminarian Students, Director of Resurrectionist Missions, Provincial Superior of the Ontario-Kentucky Province, and Assistant Superior General in Rome. In the Diocese of Hamilton Ontario, he served as Associate Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Hamilton and St. Aloysius Parish, Kitchener and as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Kitchener. In the Diocese of Hamilton Bermuda, he served as the Vicar General of the Diocese and Pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish until he was elected the Assistant Provincial Superior of the Ontario-Kentucky Province. A man of deep faith, hope and love, Father Kroetsch’s life of faithful service touched the lives of his students, religious brothers, parishioners, and family during his life of dedicated ministry. Visitation of Father Kroetsch will take place at St. Louis Church, 53 Allen Street East, Waterloo, on Friday, September 21st. from 2:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. A Vigil Prayer Service will be held at St. Louis Church at 7:00 P.M. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 22nd. Interment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener. Reception to follow at St. Louis Church Gym. Donations in Father Kroetsch’s memory may be made to the Congregation of the Resurrection for the care of their retired members and forwarded to 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G7, or arranged through Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario, 519-749-8467 or www.henrywalser.com