St. Wendelin priest finishes 51-year career

FOSTORIA – After 15 years with St. Wendelin Catholic Parish and School and 51 years within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo, the Rev. Nicholas Weibl is set to retire at the end of June. Weibl was born in the former Yugoslavia – now Serbia. His family fled to Germany when he was 5 years old. From there, they migrated to the United States, arriving in 1951. Weibl knew when he was in the eighth grade that he wanted to be a priest. “I have been blessed and it has been a real joy to be welcomed by the folks here at St. Wendelin,” he said. Weibl also has served as the superintendent of St. Wendelin Catholic School. Weibl said he enjoyed his responsibilities with education and was able to educate “young people on faith and all the other important things that are needed.” “Being in the priesthood has been helpful to relate to all the families,” he said. Weibl said his work has been a gift to him and has become natural for him. “It has been a fulfilling life to be with all the families on the same journey and have the opportunities to reach out to them,” he said. Weibl said he enjoyed the successes of the students. He started at St. Wendelin in 1967-1972 and served as assistant pastor and principal. “As principal, I wanted to make sure I had the best teachers for the students,” Weibl said. Weibl also served as rector/principal at Holy Spirit Seminary, pastor of Fremont St. Joseph and Sandusky Holy Angels Parish and then returned to St. Wendelin in 2000. “I enjoyed supporting those in the school,” Weibl said. Throughout the years coming to the U.S., Weibl said he has learned and shared the importance of family life. “Everyone should be grateful for what they have,” Weibl said. “The poor people in this country can be considered rich in others.” Weibl plans on retiring to Bucyrus where he has family. There, he plans to substitute when needed in other parishes and hopes to write a book on the history of his family and a book on the joys and humor of faith. “Everyone is serious, we need to learn how to get the joy and happiness out of faith,” Weibl said. He also said he looks forward to the Bratwurst Festival. “I want to thank everyone for their support and trust in my ministry,” Weibl said. “I ask forgiveness of those who I may have hurt or offended over the years and I will remember them in my prayers.”