Bishop David Ricken will celebrate Mass on July 20 at Pulaski Polka Days.
The leader of the Green Bay Diocese said polka has been his blood since his days as a priest in Wyoming.
“I’m happy to be able to be a part of such a joyous and uplifting celebration,” Ricken said. “The music is truly festive and is a cultural expression of the love of God, and with music that people are very familiar with.”
Ricken, 61, grew up in Kansas. He began his priesthood in 1980 at La Junta, Colorado. After six years, he was promoted to vice chancellor of the diocese in Pueblo, Colorado. Prior to being installed as bishop in Green Bay in 2008, he was the bishop of the diocese in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from 2000-2007.
“I celebrated a Polka Mass several years ago; it was a wonderful experience,” Ricken said. “I also experienced a polka Mass at a parish in Rock Springs, Wyoming.”
Janet Maroszek, a parishioner at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Pulaski, said Ricken committed to the Mass after the Knights of Columbus reached out to him.
He will be the sixth bishop to say Mass at Polka Days in the last 20 years.
“We are happy to have him here and it’s always nice to have all of these bishops come in and do this,” Maroszek said.
Maroszek said the service would not have been possible without the assistance of the Diocese of Green Bay.
“This is a big deal for Pulaski, and to have the diocese help us out is very appreciated,” Maroszek said. “A lot of people come to also feed on religious guidance.”
The 9:30 a.m. Mass will follow a Lutheran worship service, which has been part of the musical celebration for approximately 25 years, led by Pastor Don Behrendt.
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