Bishop Annabring (1954-1959)

Native son of the diocese
"hand-picked" by his predecessor

• Introduction
• Early life and ordination to priesthood
• Assignments after ordination
  • Assistant pastor of Cathedral
  • Rector of Cathedral
• Appointment as bishop
  • A native son of the Diocese of Superior
  • For the future benefit of the diocese
• Programs established to educate and evangelize
  • The Family Life Bureau
  • Diocesan Council for Men established
  • St. Thomas Moore Institute for Adult Education
  • The Vocation Institute
  • Diocesan Liturgical Commission
• Numerous buildling projects
  • Diocesan Building Commission
  • A new Chancery building
• Two major diocesan events
  • 50th Anniversary of Superior Diocese
  • The fourth Diocesan Synod
• An unexpected death

ABOVE PHOTO: Three of Superior's bishops are pictured in 1954, following the consecration of Bishop Joseph J. Annabring. Seated from left are Bishop William O'Connor of Madison, Archbishop Albert Meyer of Milwaukee, Bishop Annabring and Bishop Francis J. Schenk of Crookston, Minn.

Jubilation greeted the announcement that Msgr. Joseph John Annabring, who grew up in Turtle Lake and spent his entire priestly career serving at the Cathedral of Christ the King, would become Superior’s seventh bishop. Only one bishop could claim to be a native son of the diocese, and that was Bishop Annabring.

An avid fisherman, the bishop enjoyed taking time out with other priests and casting a line in northern lakes and streams. The bishop also enjoyed carpentry work. He once constructed the platforms for shrines of the Sacred Heart erected at Cathedral School, as well as a railroad set for kindergarten children at the school. When Bishop Annabring found quiet time alone, he enjoyed reading theology books, with his dog Frosty at his side.

Born on March 19, 1900, in Szaparyliget, Hungary, Bishop Annabring immigrated to the United States in 1903 with his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Annabring, a sister, Elizabeth, and other extended family members. The family settled in Turtle Lake, where they bought a farm and raised dairy cows and chickens. Bishop Annabring attended public grade school and at age 15 entered St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. After completing minor seminary, he studied philosophy at the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, and theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Theodore H. Reverman at Cathedral High School auditorium on May 3, 1927. Bishop Annabring returned to his hometown of Turtle Lake to celebrate his first Mass at St. Ann Church on May 4.

Assistant pastor of Cathedral

His first assignment was as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of Christ the King where at Cathedral High School he

• taught science and religion from 1929 to 1942,
• served many years as athletic director,
• served as superintendent of diocesan schools from 1934 to 1945,

Rector of Cathedral

In 1937, Bishop Annabring was named rector of the cathedral. Nine years later, he was given title of domestic prelate (monsignor). His tenure as rector of the cathedral gave him plenty of opportunities to test his pastoral and business skills:

• He was a highly respected mentor of many of the newly ordained priests who were first assigned to the Cathedral.
• He liquidated the cathedral's longtime debt of over $250,000.
• He oversaw the planning and construction of Cathedral grade school and high school, which opened in 1952.

On January 27, 1954, during his 17^th year as rector of the cathedral, Pope Pius XII appointed Bishop Annabring seventh bishop of Superior. While those who knew him saw Msgr. Annabring as an outstanding administrator and beloved pastor, few could have predicted that this north woods priest would succeed Bishop Meyer — particularly if past episcopal appointments were any indication.

A native son of the Diocese of Superior

It was Bishop Meyer's ardent wish that Msgr. Annabring, his classmate at St. Francis Minor Seminary, succeed him. In welcoming the appointment of Bishop-elect Annabring, the new archbishop of Milwaukee, Albert G. Meyer, wrote:

"The clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Superior are to be congratulated on receiving their first native son as their bishop. He is well known to all of them as one of their own whom they have learned through the years to respect, admire and love."

For the future benefit of the diocese

The entire diocese did, indeed, rejoice in the appointment of Bishop Annabring. An editorial in the Catholic Herald Citizen February 6, 1954, noted:

"This long-awaited news was hailed by all who have had the privilege of knowing the bishop-elect, as an omen of good fortune for the future benefit of the diocese."

The consecration of Bishop-elect Annabring took place March 25, 1954, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, the first such ceremony to be held there. Archbishop Meyer officiated at the liturgy, with Bishop William P. O'Connor of Madison and Bishop Francis J. Schenk of Crookston, Minn., serving as co-consecrators. Over 100 priests attended the consecration, which took over two hours.

Bishop Annabring's familiarity with the diocese, its clergy and faithful, and all the challenges that faced them, gave him an immediate advantage. Unlike his predecessors, he did not need extra time to acquaint himself with the diocese. Instead, he set in motion numerous programs intended to educate and evangelize his flock.

The Family Life Bureau

Just months after taking office, Bishop Annabring established the Family Life Bureau, a diocesan-wide program aimed at promoting Christian culture in the home through activities such as Family Communion Sunday and Family Holy Hour.

Diocesan Council for Men established

He continued to promote the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, which was begun by Bishop Meyer, and in 1955 he started a council for men, which served as a federation of all the various men's societies in the diocese.

St. Thomas Moore Institute for Adult Education

In 1957 he established the St. Thomas Moore Institute for adult education in Superior to give the laity an opportunity to learn more about their faith. For the same reason he established Our Lady of the Lake Retreat House in Lake Tomahawk. During the retreat house dedication August 16, 1959, Bishop Annabring stated:

"From the very day that I was consecrated bishop of this diocese, I began to dream of a diocesan retreat house. ... The vast opportunities that this retreat house offers to the laity of the diocese to achieve the goal of the full Christian life is apparent to all those who believe."

The Vocation Institute

Another important program begun in 1954 by Bishop Annabring was the Vocation Institute. This program, held in different parts of the diocese, would bring young people together to explore the life of priests and sisters. By 1959 it had grown in popularity and included an annual Diocesan Vocation Rally.

Diocesan Liturgical Commission

His interest in the liturgy and a desire to increase the active participation of the laity at Mass led Bishop Annabring to form a Diocesan Liturgical Commission.

Diocesan Building Commission

To help facilitate the building of new churches and schools, he established the Diocesan Building Commission and the Diocesan Building Directives. While shepherd of the diocese, Bishop Annabring dedicated over 20 new church, and 15 schools.

A new Chancery buildilng

In 1956, a new Chancery building was constructed to house florishing diocesan programs and offices. Located at 1201 Hughitt Avenue, the site of the old cathedral rectory.

Two major events took place during Bishop Annabring's reign.

50th Anniversary of Superior Diocese

The first event was the 50^th anniversary observance of the Superior Diocese, held August 17, 1955. Over 1,000 people filled the Cathedral for the jubilee Mass, which included 200 priests and 24 bishops. The event brought back to Superior two of the diocese's earlier shepherds, Archbishop Meyer of Milwaukee and Bishop O'Connor of Madison.

The fourth Diocesan Synod

In June 1958, Bishop Annabring convened the fourth Diocesan Synod. Following the synod, the bishop oversaw the recodification of diocesan statutes.

Bishop Annabring was in the midst of a busy summer schedule (photo at right) in 1959 when he died unexpectedly of heart failure on August 27. News of his death came the following day. “Death apparently came to the bishop between 8 and 9 p.m. while he was listening to his classical music records at his home on East Second Street,” the Evening Telegram reported.

Funeral Liturgy

A solemn funeral liturgy was celebrated September 2 at the Cathedral with Archbishop William E. Cousins of Milwaukee as presider and Archbishop Albert G. Meyer of Chicago as homilist. The master of ceremonies for the liturgy was a young priest from Milwaukee, Fr. Raphael Fliss.

In his homily, Archbishop Meyer recalled his friendship with Bishop Annabring.

“The personal ties which bound me to Bishop Annabring are of such a nature that I can feelingly sympathize with those who today mourn the loss of a dearly beloved father and shepherd in the Lord,” he said.

During his time in Superior, Archbishop Meyer said he found Msgr. Annabring to be

“one of my closest collaborators, one of my strongest supporters, and one of my most faithful and trustworthy helpers.”

Following the requiem Mass, Bishop Annabring’s body was buried in a simple casket next to Bishop Theodore Reverman at the Priests’ Circle in Calvary Cemetery.


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Source: Our Journey through Faith: A History of the Diocese of Superior, by Sam Lucero, 2005.