DOJ finishes investigation into Onalaska priest 10 months after his death

The state Department of Justice said today it finished its investigation into a Diocese of La Crosse priest who resigned from his parish after being charged with child pornography.

Great news, especially since the Rev. Patrick Umberger died in December of liver cancer.

The Tribune has been after reports from the DOJ since the onset of the case. Our requests were repeatedly denied because the matter was under investigation.

We continued to check on the request from time to time and always received a polite note from DOJ with the same response. Then today, the DOJ responded with this e-mail:

"Because the Umberger matter was closely tied with some other investigations that remained open up until recently, we were not able to provide those records without potentially jeopardizing the other matters. With the related investigations now closed, we have put your request onto our active response list."

Other investigations? This should be interesting.

The department continued that other requests have priority, but the Umberger records are being reviewed for release and should be available "soon." We'll eagerly await their arrival.

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/blogs/annejungen/article_b2f345f8-ff0c-11e0-a4b3-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1cNmRW6sn

Bp. Morneau to bless new school in Two Rivers near Manitowoc

Bishop Robert Morneau, who served as associate pastor at Holy Redeemer in Two Rivers in the 1970s, will christen St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic School during a special Mass on Thursday evening. The event will celebrate St. Peter the Fisherman's recent purchase of the former C.C. Case Elementary School as well as the long history of Catholic schools in Two Rivers, Mishicot and Francis Creek. That history goes back to 1867 when the first Catholic school opened in Two Rivers.

The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. with historical displays set up around the school and students and parents available to provide guided tours. The Mass, set to begin at 6:30 p.m., will include a procession of students and alumni representing each of the six original schools making up St. Peter the Fisherman carrying photos of their schools. They also will participate in the readings. The Rev. Tom Reynebeau, pastor at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, will concelebrate. A reception with refreshments will follow the Mass at 7:15 p.m., and the displays and tours will be available then as well.

htrnews

Yes, that is the actual logo of the school....