Parish Priest at Home in New Hometown
By Anthony Gadson
PLYMOUTH � The new guy in town does not see a lot need for change.
St. Michael�s Church introduced Father William J. Kummer as their new priest in August. Father Kummer was transferred to St. Michael�s from Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend after Father Gillisipe was called to work in Ireland.
Plymouth is quite a smaller town than Fort Wayne. Some folks may need time to get adjusted to the small town atmosphere; Father Kummer said he really hasn�t noticed much difference in Plymouth as compared to Fort Wayne, which happened to be his hometown.
�Every place has its own flavor,� Father Kummer observed.
Father Kummer was ordained in May 1975.
As time has gone by, Father Kummer�s reasons for being in his job have changed as well. His perspective has grown since his days in seminary school, as does everybody�s perspective as their careers progress.
�Right now I�m fascinated to responding to a need,� Father Kummer observed.
People being open with him and preparation for sermons are his favorite aspects of the job, at this time in his life. He likes the preparation more than the actually preaching aspect right now, saying of his preaching �I�m not as skilled as I�d like to be�.
The life of a priest differs from other people�s lives in so many ways. Father Kummer, in essence, lives where he works, which leads to an almost never-ending workday.
�Sometimes it�s hard to know when you�re on the clock,� Kummer said.
Her gets up between 5:30 and 6 a.m. He makes his office rounds and tries to touch base with everyone. He goes about his pastoral duties throughout the day, but also always tries to find time to be alone to pray and meditate.
When Father Kummer is not working he enjoys spending time with his friends, walking and reading historical works. He moved to Plymouth with the idea that he would pack three boxes with books, but only bring one box with him. He chose to bring his books on the Civil War over his books on World War II.
�I�m fascinated with Lincoln, rather than the militant aspect,� he explained.
When the Father has time he also enjoys watching sports. He confesses to rooting for the hometown Plymouth Rockies and his college football team of choice is no surprise: The Irish of Notre Dame.
�My days of playing tennis and golf are gone,� Father Kummer confessed, �my knees won�t let me anymore.�
The Father has also found it easy to get accustomed to the people here. It�s his thought Catholics get used to a new priest quite rapidly.
�For the first five or six months you�re the new priest, but then you turn into their priest,� Kummer said. �Their still testing me, seeing what makes the old man tick.�
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