COVER STORY Father Charles Fischer was born June 4, 1961 and grew up in Kenosha, Wis. along the shores of Lake Michigan. When he was 14 years old, he attended a seminary high school in Milwaukee, Wis. and from there went to Marquette University where he graduated in 1983 before attendFather Charles M. Fischer ing Georgetown University for three semesters. In 1985, Father Fischer volunteered to teach English to sixth graders at a Jesuit school in Cairo, Egypt. This teaching assignment was intended to be for two years, but after one year in Egypt he received a scholarship to attend a new seminary in Rome, Italy. In 1986, Father Fischer moved to Rome and conducted his general theological study on Blessed John Henry Newman. On June 10, 1990, Father Fischer was ordained a priest by then-Pope John Paul II in Rome. During Father Fischer’s time in Rome, he earned a Doctorate of Sacred Theology. After eight years there, he decided to move back to the United States to stay with family. Following a brief rest, Father Fischer contacted Bishop James Sullivan, who he met in Rome, to see if there was a need for a priest in the Fargo Diocese. Father Fischer moved to Fargo and became parochial vicar at St. Anthony’s in Fargo in 1994. After a year, he was assigned to Drayton where he was pastor of three churches (Drayton, Pembina, and St. Thomas) from 1995 to 2000. From 2000 to 2002 Father Fischer taught at Cardinal Muench Seminary followed by two years as resident priest for the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson. In 2004, he became parochial vicar at Sts. Anne and Joachim’s parish in Fargo and worked with the great staff to raise money to help build the new church. In 2006, Father Fischer became priest-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. Mary where he offers Mass and hears confessions every day as well as visiting shut-ins regularly. Father Fischer truly enjoys talking, sharing a meal with people, and if he is not getting an invitation then he “makes sure they wake up and give me one.” He said that anyone will tell you “Father Fischer doesn’t have any hobbies.” With that being said, he likes listening to music every night including: Christmas music all year long, folk, classical and opera. Also, he likes it when it is Monsignor Goering’s turn to cook at the Cathedral rectory. On Wed., June 10 at 5:30 p.m., Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral followed by a pig roast and BBQ to honor Father Fischer’s presbyteral anniversary.
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Born on Jan. 16, 1963 in St. Paul, Minn., Father Steven Meyer came from a large family. He is the ninth child out of 11 borne to Robert and Theresa Meyer. In seventh grade, his family moved to Ashley where he graduated high school. He and his family were parishioners at St. David’s while Father Victor Schill was the pastor. He recalls serving regularly for Mass and assisting with the Stations of the Cross. After graduating high school in 1981, he decided to make 18
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the journey to Fargo to experience Cardinal Muench Seminary. He attended the school for two years. Then, Bishop Justin Driscoll transferred him to Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn. where he completed his collegiate and theological studies in 1989. Father Steven J. Meyer On June 2, 1990 at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Bishop James Sullivan ordained Father Meyer along with six other men to the priesthood. His first assignment was parochial vicar for St. Alphonsus’ Catholic Church, Langdon and St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Nekoma. Father Meyer has served in Hope, Finley, Page, Wimbledon, Kensal, Davey, Courtney, Lakota, Michigan and Tolna. Although, Father Meyer has served small, rural parishes, it’s something he has thoroughly enjoyed. Those opportunities have given him the chance to really get to know the people he serves. He said, “I find there has been a deep sense of connection with the people and the communities I serve.” Currently, Father Meyer serves at St. Mary of the Assumption in Lakota, St. Lawrence in Michigan and St. Joseph’s in Tolna. To celebrate his 25 years as a priest, an open house followed by praying the rosary and Mass was held on June 6 at St. Mary’s in Lakota.
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