Holy Family Pastor to receive Vatican II Award

Holy Family Catholic Community Pastor, Very Rev. Ryan J Pruess, will be awarded the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s prestigious Vatican II Award this September.

Born in Slinger, Pruess was raised by his parents to make his faith an integral part of his life.

“My parents have always been a great model of faithfulness and love. My mom and dad taught me how to respect everyone and to always approach others with genuine kindness and compassion. Being raised Catholic was one of the greatest gifts my family could share with me,” he said.

He attended Catholic grade school, and when he moved to public school, his parents and family continued to demonstrate the importance of caring for those in need.

After graduating high school, Pruess attended Waukesha County Technical College, where he studied criminal justice with the intention of working in law enforcement. However, there was another plan in store. During that time, Pruess began to explore his faith again and rekindle his love with God through the sacraments, and felt called to the priesthood. He earned a degree from Cardinal Stritch University in religious studies, and following a period of discernment, applied to attend Saint Francis de Sales Seminary just outside of Milwaukee. His time in the seminary was a joyful one, he said, and in May 2012, he was ordained into the priesthood.

That June, he began his priestly ministry at Holy Family Catholic Community. At first, he worked as part of the parish’s “in solidum” team, meaning that he and the parish’s priests shared pastoral duties. In 2015, he was appointed as Administrator and Pastor

of the parish — roles he continues to hold. In this position, he has helped to support and mentor his fellow priests, particularly those who have just been ordained and come to Holy Family to start their ministry as he did. He also works within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to place priests with the parishes, and leads numerous fellowship events with priests and seminarians.

“The young priests I’m blessed to work with are on fire for the Lord and through their work, God is producing some great things. It’s fun to watch the Lord at work in their lives,” he said.

For his ministry, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will award Pruess the Vatican II Award for Leadership in the Priesthood on September 25, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee. The Vatican II awards were established in 1991 to recognize those in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who exemplify the vision of the Catholic Church “set forth in the Second Vatican Council.”

The recipient of the Vatican II Award for Leadership in the Priesthood is “a Roman Catholic priest who has shown exemplary pastoral care, service, faith, love and leadership in his parishes and the Archdiocese (of Milwaukee),” according to the Archdiocese.

“I’m deeply grateful for this award. In all honesty, it was unexpected but very much appreciated. The things that I do in service to the priesthood are never done for recognition. I’m thankful to have been chosen and recognize that there are many other priests within the Archdiocese who also deserve this type of recognition,” Pruess said.

The impact of Pruess’s ministry is felt throughout Holy Family Catholic Community. Since arriving in Fond du Lac 13 years ago, Pruess has guided the parish and its more than 15,000 parishioners through change and progress. In 2020, the parish of four churches — Holy Family, Saint Mary, Saint Peter, and Sacred Heart — grew by two when it merged with Our Risen Savior Church in Eldorado and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in North Fond du Lac.

The parish’s presence in the city has grown through its ministry and service to those in need. Holy Family offers two meal programs to feed the hungry in the community, Blessed Bites and Summer Bites, started in 2020 and 2024 respectively. In 2023, Pruess oversaw the opening of the Holy Family Warming Shelter, which cares for

adults experiencing homelessness during the winter months. Holy Family has also seen its relationships strengthen with other Catholic entities in the city, including Marian University, SSM Health, and St. Mary’s Springs Academy.

“Holy Family’s mission is to follow Jesus Christ through faith, worship, and witness. Fr. Ryan lives this out. He leads our parish with kindness and compassion, and has helped our parish to embrace its call to live as children of Christ more fully,” Director of Operations Michelle Ludtke said. “We are blessed to have him leading our parish.”

Cutline: Holy Family Catholic Community Pastor, Very Rev. Ryan J Pruess, will be awarded the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s prestigious Vatican II Award this September.