Reverend Robert Francis Surges
June 15, 2025
Born on October 14,1937, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Father began his priestly formation at Saint Francis Minor Seminary in St. Francis from 1955 – 1957 and Saint Francis Major Seminary in St. Francis from 1957 – 1964. Father was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend William E. Cousins at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee on May 30, 1964.
Father Surges was first assigned Curate on July 1, 1964 at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Sheboygan. He was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Stephen Parish S. Howell Ave.) in Milwaukee on June 22, 1971. On January 16, 1979, he was assigned Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in West Allis. Father was assigned as Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Big Bend on June 16, 1987. On June 19, 2001 he was appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in St. Francis. He retired from active ministry on October 31, 2011.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for Father Surges will be celebrated at St. Joseph Parish, S89 W22650 Milwaukee Ave., Big Bend at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025. Priest friends and former colleagues are invited to concelebrate; please bring an alb and white stole. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Parish, Big Bend from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Private interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Milwaukee following the funeral Mass.
Members of the Purgatorial Society will please offer the prescribed Mass for the repose of his soul and include Father Surges’ intention in the General Intercessions at the parish.
Reverend Thomas Gregory Fait
May 27, 2025
Born on April 16,1948, in Burlington, Wisconsin. Father began his priestly formation at De Sales Preparatory Seminary in St. Francis from 1962 – 1968 and St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis from 1968 – 1974. Father was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend William E. Cousins at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee on May 25, 1974.
Father Fait was first assigned Associate Pastor at Holy Family Parish in Whitefish Bay on June 18, 1974. Father continued his studies in Art at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in June of 1978. He was appointed Associate Pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield on November 11, 1980. On December 1, 1982, he was assigned as Diocesan Archivist of the Salzmann Library at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis. Father was assigned as Administrator at St. John the Baptist Parish in Paris on June 22, 1993. He retired from active ministry on April 30, 2016.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for Father Fait will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Parish, 108 McHenry St., Burlington on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Priest friends and former colleagues are invited to concelebrate; please bring an alb and white stole. Interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Burlington following the funeral Mass.
Members of the Purgatorial Society will please offer the prescribed Mass for the repose of his soul and include Father Fait’s intention in the General Intercessions at the parish.