Very Rev. John A. Potaczak
State Chaplain

I have been the pastor of St. Stephen in Stevens Point and St. Bartholomew in Mill Creek for the last three years. Last year I was named Dean of the Stevens Point Deanery. Before that I was in La Crosse at Blessed Sacrament parish. I was the chaplain at Aquinas Middle School and spiritual director at the Holy Cross House of formation. I have been the Diocesan Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus for La Crosse. I joined the Knights when I started my seminary training. I have been a Fourth Degree Knight since 2002.

I grew up in Chippewa Falls and still consider that “home” since most of my family is still there. I am the oldest of the four children in the family and my parents have just retired. I went through the Catholic school system there and then graduated from UW-Eau Claire. From there I taught over seas and then entered Mundelein Seminary for my preparations for priesthood. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in theology and a Masters of Divinity.