Father Henry F. Hildebrandt, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, and St. Aloysius Parish, Ransom, died March 26, 2016. He was 61 years old.
Henry Hildebrandt was born March 26, 1955 in Grove City, Pa., the son of Henry Ford Hildebrandt, Sr., and Dolores Dorothy Buehler. Before studying for the priesthood, he served as pastoral minister at Sacred Heart Parish, Pratt (1976 to 1983). He took seminary studies at the University of Dallas (Holy Trinity Seminary) in Irving, Texas, and Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 1987, by Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman at Sacred Heart Church, Pratt. He served as an associate pastor at St. Rose of Lima, Great Bend (1987-1990), before receiving his first pastorate at St. Anthony of Padua, Liberal (1990 – 2001).
During this assignment he also served in the following diocesan positions: Director of Vocations and Director of Seminarians; Director of Pastoral Ministry Formation and the ITV Network; and Chair of the Building Commission. His pastoral assignments following his tenure at Liberal included: St. Lawrence, Jetmore, with St. Anthony, Hanston (2001 – 2004), with additional responsibility for St. John the Baptist, Spearville (2003 – 2004). He had served as pastor of the parishes at Ness City and Ransom since July 1, 2004. He was a strong advocate of Catholic education and made known his desire for assignments in parishes with schools.
Father Hildebrandt received a Papal mandate by Pope Francis in 2016 designating him a Missionary of Mercy during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. In this capacity he was to be a visible symbol of the Father’s mercy and a living sign of the Father’s loving kindness.
A parish rosary will be held Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m., with vigil to follow at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m. with the Most Rev. Ronald M. Gilmore, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Dodge City, presiding. All held in Sacred Heart Church, Ness City. Burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in the name of Father Hildebrandt can be made to the Dechant Foundation and Sacred Heart School, Ness City, in care of Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kansas.