RESOLUTION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF
ASHLAND COUNCIL NO. 832 TO
FATHER CONAN MITCHELL, OFM, COUNCIL NO. 832
WHEREAS, Father Conan Mitchell, OFM, was born in Ashland, Wisconsin, on July 13, 1915, the son of John Mitchell and Elizabeth Jacobinas, and given the birth name Anthony, which was later changed to Conan after entering the Franciscan Order;
WHEREAS, Father Conan made his solemn profession in Teutopolis, IL, on August 20, 1940, and was ordained a priest on June 24, 1943, in Teutopolis;
WHEREAS, for nearly 50 years, Father Conan served parishes in Chicago and Joliet, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Eureka, MO; Muskegon, MI; and Jordan and Chaska, MN, before returning to his hometown of Ashland, WI, in 1991;
WHEREAS, Father Conan ministered to the parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Community and the citizens of Ashland for more than 10 years, before “retiring” to Court Manor Nursing Home following a stroke;
WHEREAS, Father Conan continued to say daily Mass at Court Manor for several years; ministered to his fellow residents of Court Manor, providing for their spiritual needs; and was named the Wisconsin Nursing Homes Spiritual Leader of the Year in 2005;
WHEREAS, Father Conan was dedicated to Catholic education; visited the students of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School almost daily; presided over a monthly “Birthday Baptism” liturgy for the children; gave 2nd graders preparing for First Communion a special gift of an angel figurine; and instituted his “penny fund” to raise money for the school and to show the children the value of a penny, which raised almost $53,000 in 15 years to support the school;
WHEREAS, Father Conan was a proud 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as Faithful Friar of the Chequamegon Bay Area Assembly No. 2462 from its founding in September of 1996 until his death on March 13, 2009, at the age of 93;
AND, WHEREAS, Father Conan is remembered as a joyful person who was grateful for God’s blessings; had a deep devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus; followed the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi; and was dedicated to his ministry as a Parish Priest for nearly 70 years, exemplifying the attributes of Father Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ashland Council No. 832 of the Knights of Columbus does hereby request that its name be changed to:
FATHER CONAN MITCHELL, OFM, COUNCIL NO. 832
Adopted at the regular meeting of the Council this 20th day of April, 2009.