"I love being a Catholic and I love being a priest."
Father Jason Blahnik
Father Jason Blahnik is the priest moderator of Catholics in Action. In addition to this duty, he is the associate pastor of Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish in Oshkosh and the sacramental minister for Saint Mary Parish in Omro and Saint Mary Parish in Winneconne.
Father Jason grew up in the Door County, near Fish Creek. His ethnic heritage is primarily Czech, German, and Polish. In addition to his parents, Father Jason has an older brother who is the principal of Saint Ignatius Catholic School, and a younger sister who is a graphic design artist. His older brother is married and has two daughters and a son.
Father Jason grew up with a fairly normal life. He went to Gibraltar School, 1-12 in Fish Creek. In high school, Father Jason played football in the Fall and did track and field in the Spring. Since he was no good at basketball, he did mock trial and math team in the winter. Father Jason graduated from high school in 1998. After high school, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He even called those HOGS! Father Jason graduated from college in 2002 with a BA in economics and history. After college, Father Jason began his studies for the priesthood of Jesus Christ. During the next six years, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. During that time, he did take one year off to serve as the campus minister, coordinator of social justice, and advisor to the Catholic Newman Club at Saint Thomas More University Parish serving Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Father Jason entered into relationship with Jesus Christ through baptism on the Feast of the Holy Innocents in 1979. He received baptism, first reconciliation, and first Holy Communion at Saint John the Baptist Parish in Egg Harbor (now Stella Maris Parish). Father Jason grew up with priest from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and has a debt to them for nourishing his vocation to the priesthood. Father Jason received his faith formation through his parents and the religious education program of the parish.
As Father Jason entered middle school, like many his own age, he wasn't a wicked kid, but definitely was not seeking holiness. Confirmation in his junior year changed his life. While Father Jason did not have a Saint Paul conversion experience, life began to change. He began to take the Catholic faith more seriously. Father Jason fell deeply in love again with Christ and His Church while in college. Saint Thomas Aquinas University Parish and Newman Center nourished his newly rediscovered passion. By the time he finished college, Father Jason was ready to try seminary.
Father Jason Blahnik was ordained a Catholic priest by Bishop David Ricken on January 3, 2009 on the Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus.
In becoming a priest of Jesus Christ, Father Jason has become himself.
Father Jason's Email
Father Jason's Facebook Page
Father Jason's Favorite Saints Who Are Not Mary, the Mother of God:
St. Francis de Sales St. Daniel Comboni
Father Jason Ordinatin Retrospective