Sts. Peter & Paul

 

Rev. Michael G. Koller, Pastor

Father Michael Koller sees keeping up with the demands of the parishioners as his greatest challenge while serving as priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. A graduate of Blessed John the 23rd National Seminary, Father Mike is among a growing number of priests who chose the priesthood as a second or in Father Mike’s case a third career.  Born the second child of Gerald and Rosetta Koller in Topeka, Kansas in 1952, Father Mike graduated from Washburn University in 1974 with a Bachelor’s degree in education and history. While teaching at Immaculata and Lansing High Schools, Fr. Mike used his education delay from the ROTC training he received at Washburn to allow him the time needed to complete his master’s degree in education. From there Father Mike entered active duty in the Air Force in 1977. While in the Air Force, Father Mike traveled the world serving in Montana, Germany, Italy and Greece as part of his assignments with missile systems, arms control, INF treaty work and intelligence. Father Mike sees his entry into the priesthood following his two earlier careers as a benefit, having had those life experiences to draw upon, and being more comfortable with who he is as a person.  Father Mike says he felt the calling to serve was always there, just never acted upon until late in life.