New parish administrator feels blessed to be back

Though he has traveled throughout the world, Nick Landwehr returned to his central Wisconsin roots to raise his young family.

This fall, Landwehr and his family moved to Wisconsin Rapids from La Crosse, where he had served as the Prefect at Holy Cross Seminary House of Formation.

Nick Landwehr

Now, Landwehr serves as director of Religious Education at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids.

Landwehr is clear about his first goal in his new role.

“I’m learning all the names of the people who have given me such a warm welcome to the parish and community,” he said. “St. Lawrence is a wonderful parish with very generous parishioners. My family has felt very welcomed and blessed.”

During high school and college, Landwehr traveled to numerous countries, participating in seven mission trips, such as Guatemala, Russia, Honduras, and Jamaica.

Those experiences changed his life, Landwehr said.

“Through these experiences, God allowed my heart to grow in love for Him and His Universal Church,” he said.

Born in Marshfield, Landwehr attended Columbus Catholic High School. After beginning his college career at University of Wisconsin-Madison, he transferred to Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, graduating in 2008 with degree in theology.

He met his wife, Stephanie, there. They have one son and are expecting another child in April.

As St. Lawrence’s Director of Religious Education, Landwehr currently has three main focus areas: the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program, baptismal preparation and the parish’s religious education program.

And after seeing and serving the world, he’s happy to be back in central Wisconsin.

“Wisconsin Rapids and St. Lawrence are places that my family is hoping to settle down in and call home for a very long time,” he said.