Reverend Robert Wellisch

Father Wellisch was a St. Paul native. He graduated from Cretin High School in 1958. He pursued his education at St. Thomas where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in English in 1962. He continued on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate, both in English, from the University of Minnesota.

Father Wellisch was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1969. Shortly after he was ordained, he served as an associate pastor at St. Mark in St. Paul until 1971.

At the same year, he joined the University of St. Thomas English faculty and served as associate professor. He also taught in the university’s Catholic Studies Department. Father Wellisch was exceptional and was an expert in Victorian literature.

During his time at St. Thomas, Father Wellisch also served as associate pastor at the Cathedral of St. Paul, chaplain at St. Paul’s Priory and Administrator at Holy Trinity in South St. Paul.

In 1984 he was appointed as chaplain for the Twin Cities Hmong Catholic Community in Saint Paul, Minnesota. There he works closely with the Hmong Catholics in the Twin Cities area. He was a great spiritual leader for the Hmongs. Father Wellisch ‘s contribution was a big part of the success of the Twin Cities Hmong Catholics community.

In June of 2002, Archbishop Harry Flynn appointed Father Wellisch as pastor of St. Vincent De Paul, a predominantly Hmong Catholic parish. While being Pastor of St. Vincent De Paul, father Wellisch still held a full time job as professor at the university of St. Thomas.

Father Wellisch took pride in his work. He worked tremendously hard to meet the needs of the Hmong Catholics Community. He went above and beyond his duty and he never complaint about the abundant of his tasks. Despite his busy work schedule, he always found ways to help and please the community. Father Wellisch was a real Father to the Hmong. He loved everyone equally and never refused what was asked of him.

Father Wellisch also was chaplain of the Hmong American National Catholic Association in the United State of America, an organization who provide guidance support and leadership to the Hmong Catholics in the United States.

Father Robert Wellisch was gentle and have great dignity and grace. He always did his share of committee work and he was proud of being a pastor and a professor.

 Back to Home page.