Fr. Emmett N. Faber

Father Faber was born on March 23, 1928, in the Town of Ithaca, Richland County, Wisconsin, to Joseph and Marie (née Wiedenfeld) Faber. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Keyesville, Wisconsin; St. Lawrence Minor Seminary in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin; and St. Francis Major Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was ordained on May 14, 1955, in Christ the King Chapel of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse by the Most Reverend John P. Treacy, Bishop of La Crosse.

On June 4, 1955, Father Faber reported to his first assignment as assistant to Father Joseph Udulutch, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Cadott, and as instructor at McDonell High School in Chippewa Falls. In 1956 he was appointed Administrator of St. Anthony Mission Parish in Drywood while continuing as an instructor at McDonell High School, with residence at St. Charles Borromeo Rectory in Chippewa Falls. Effective June 28, 1960, Father Faber was appointed assistant to Monsignor Victor Plecity, Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in LaCrosse, and part-time instructor at Aquinas High School. He then served at Holy Cross Parish in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, as a missionary priest from 1961 to 1967. Father Faber was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Adams, and administrator of St. Methodius Parish, Pilot Knob, and St. Anne Parish, Brooks, on August 9, 1967. He was appointed pastor of St. James Parish, Amherst, on April 5, 1972; and Diocesan Coordinator of the Apostolate for the Spanish Speaking on June 21, 1972. Father Faber was then appointed pastor of Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Almond, and administrator of St. John Mission Parish, Heffron, effective February 11, 1976. During this time he was also going to the federal prison in Oxford, Wisconsin, for the benefit of Spanish-speaking inmates. It was through this experience that he became aware of the shortage of Catholic chaplains for this work as well as his affinity for it. So on September 14, 1978, he was granted permission by Bishop Frederick Freking to leave the diocese and on October 1, 1978, Father Faber accepted an appointment as chaplain at the La Tuna Federal Correctional Institute in Anthony, New Mexico. In 1983 he was transferred to the federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida; and in 1985 to the federal prison in Bastrop, Texas, where he served until his retirement on October 7, 1998. He was granted the status of senior priest on November 1, 1998. Father Faber has resided in Texas since his retirement.

Father Faber is survived by his sisters: Colleen Hargrave of Houston, TX, Mary Shields of Chula Vista, CA, Imelda McCarthy of Chilton, WI and Sharon Lampman of Newton, KS; brothers: Norman of Richland Center, WI, LaVerne of Hazel Green, WI, Jerry of Lone Rock, WI and Francis of McFarland, WI and many nieces and nephews

Father Faber was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters: Eileen Eberle and Genevieve Faber and his brothers: Wayne and John Faber.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Diocese of La Crosse, 3710 East Ave. S., P.O. Box 4004, La Crosse, WI 54602-4004, in loving memory of Father Emmett Faber.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church in Bastrop, Texas on Friday, November 16, at 11:00am. Vicar for Priest Rev. Harry Dean will be the main celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in String Prairie, Texas. Visitation will be held at Marrs Jones Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 15, with the Vigil and Rosary at 7:00pm.

The Diocese of La Crosse, the Diocese of Austin and the family are being assisted by the Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas.

Members of the Purgatorial Society are requested to offer three Masses for the repose of the soul of Father Faber. Requiescat in pace.