Father Ken Knippel began his second weekend at St. John Vianney by celebrating the combined faith of Peter and preaching of Paul, Apostles to a packed church of parishioners. It's only fitting that he would begin his second weekend on a beautiful summer day. One could tell just how excited everybody was by the number of people lining up after church to chat and welcome him to the St. John Vianney community! Here's some biographical information about Father Knippel:
Birthplace: Milwaukee on May 29, 1950,
Grade Schools: — Pius X (K-2), Mother of Good Counsel (3), and St. Margaret Mary (4-8).
High School: De Sales Preparatory Seminary
College:
St. Francis de Sales College Seminary in 1972, where he earned a B.A. with a major in Theology, minor in Philosophy, He also earned a M. Div. (Master of Divinity) from St. Francis Seminary School of Pastoral Ministry in 1976.
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: May 28, 1976 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist by Archbishop William E. Cousins
Fr. Knippel has served in six assignments as a priest: As associate pastor at St. Sebastian from 1976-1981, as team member at Mary Queen of Heaven in West Allis from 1981-1984, for the Archdiocese as Residency Director of the Call to Ministry Program and subsequently as Director, including teaching part time at Dominican High School from 1984-1990, as pastor of St. Mary of Czestochowa (now Our Lady of Divine Providence) from 1990-1996, as pastor of St. Eugene Congregation from 1996-2008, and now here at St. John Vianney Parish as pastor. 
In August 1997, Father was appointed dean of District 11 by Archbishop Weakland and upon the arrival of Archbishop Dolan, was reappointed dean. He held this position for 11 years until he accepted the appointment as pastor of St. John Vianney Parish. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Community Foundation and the Advisory Board of the St. Clare Center at Cardinal Stritch University.
Father Ken has said that once it became evident that St. John Vianney Parish was open listed for a new pastor, it didn't take him long to come and tour the parish with Father Paul and to decide it would be his number one choice. Aware of its size and aware that he would be waiting a year for an associate pastor, he still felt that it was the best possible choice!
Welcome Father Ken!
