Father Vincent Krische and Archbishop James P. Keleher meet with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican last November. Keleher invited Krische to meet with the Pope while he was on sabbatical in Rome, where he attended the Pontifical North American College. Each bishop is required to meet with the pope every five years.

For almost 30 years the chapel of St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center has stood on the northeast edge of campus. Programs and services have changed throughout the years, but one factor that has remained constant has been Father Vincent Krische — or more simply, Father Vince.

The friendly, soft-spoken priest is a staple in the University of Kansas’ Catholic community. It’s been that way since 1977 when he became director of the center.

When he arrived, Krische wasn’t sure he was the right person for the job.

But since his arrival, the center has grown from a small program to a teaching institution with three priests, 24 full-time employees and more than 500 student participants.

Spiritual programs, teachings, daily and weekend mass, mentoring, service projects, conversion and social activities have flourished under his supervision.

His good works and service have reached beyond the campuses’ Catholic community to the University and the city of Lawrence.

On March 3, Krische, a Topeka native, was promoted to monsignor by the pope through a recommendation from the archbishop of Kansas City, Kan. Monsignor is an honorable ranking for a priest. Priests who are given the title serve as a chaplain to the pope.

Reaching out

What Krische has accomplished, he credits to others. He said he simply asked the right people to help him.

For that, he is most proud.

“Somehow I was really blessed that the people I turned to and asked to lead the programs are good choices,” he said.

Krische’s endeavors can be seen throughout Lawrence.

He has served as a board member for the Friends of the Religious Studies Department as well as the Fraternity and Sorority Foundation Board.

He was the chaplain for the KU football team for 15 years, where he led the prayer service before each pre-game meal, whether home or away.

He was also present at the games and available to football players seeking guidance guidance about their personal lives.

“It helped me to become a part of the bigger University family,” he said. “I had the opportunity to work with the students and see what they were experiencing. I came to really appreciate student athletes.”

He also served the University of Kansas Alumni Association, created an alternative spring break program and has been involved with the Douglas County AIDS project and the Douglas County United Way.

Worthy of Praise

The alumni association and the University honored Krische in 1999 with the Distinguished Service Citation.

The certificate hangs on the wall next to his office door, surrounded by numerous other awards from the Catholic Campus Ministry Association.

On the table behind his desk is a clear statue with a picture of the University campus and an engraving that reads “Citation of Distinguished Service from the University of Kansas and its Alumni Association May 1999.”

“When the chancellor called me and said they were going to bestow that honor on me, I was totally shocked,” he said. “I take pride in it, I tell everyone about it.”

But he’s not in the priesthood for the glory. He does it for the people he helps.

Amanda Kim Stairrett

Father Vincent Krische became monsignor Vincent Krische on March 3 when he was bestowed the honorable ranking by Pope John Paul II. Krische has served as the director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center since 1977. He will be formally installed as monsignor tomorrow.

Touching Lives

Jessica Wicks is one of those Krische has influenced.

The Colorado Springs junior wouldn’t have her faith if it weren’t for him, she said.

“He really has a huge desire to help students to grasp their faith and make it a part of their lives, not just something that they do on the weekends,” Wicks said. “It really makes their faith who they are, and it becomes a lifestyle rather than an activity.”

Wicks grew up listening to Krische while she lived in Lawrence during her childhood. She veered from her faith after she graduated high school in California.

After being an atheist for a year at California State University in Bakersville, she transferred to the University, something she said she always wanted to do.

“Father Vince was the most familiar face when I came back,” Wicks said. “It was welcoming to have him there because he knew who I was and cared about my spiritual development.”

Wicks said her conversion occurred on a retreat that Krische invited her to attend.

“If it wasn’t for Father Vince inviting me to my faith, I may not have come back at all and now it’s a huge part of who I am,” she said. “It is who I am.”

Dramatically changing people’s lives is not what Krische tries to achieve.

“I just did what I thought I should be doing and people were positively affected,” he said. “You always hope that that happens.”

Wicks still attends spiritual direction at the center and is in the process of deciding between married life or committing herself to the church as a nun.

“They don’t keep priests in one place very long,” Wicks said. “But they have kept Father Vince, which shows how much of a cornerstone he is to the center and how much his presence has an impact on students.”

Amanda Kim Stairrett

Monsignor Vincent Krische blesses wine Sunday at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center. He went on a sabbatical last fall and spent three months in Colorado writing the history of St. Lawrence. He also spent three months studying in Rome.

A Priestly Jayhawk

Priesthood is almost a tradition in the Krische’s family.

Six relatives — his older brother, uncle, great uncle and three cousins — serve the Catholic church in the same way.

“It was just an urging to become a priest,” Krische said of his decision to attend the St. Thomas Seminary in Colorado.

Had he not decided to join the seminary, he would’ve been a student at the University.

“I was always a Jayhawk in my heart,” he said.

He emerged from St. Thomas with a major in philosophy, a minor in history and a graduate degree in theology.

On May 23, 1964, Krische was ordained a priest in the cathedral in Kansas City, Kan.

After a short stint at Washburn, a nervous Krische was transferred to the University.

Years later, Krische realizes the move to the University was meant to be.

“It’s one of those situations where you have a boss who really sees more than you see in yourself, who sees the potential you don’t see,” Krische said.

He said he hopes to celebrate Easter next week with his official monsignor vestments, which include a cassock with fuchsia color trim, red buttons and a fuchsia sash.

“It’s not only a personal honor, but an honor for the place,” he said. “It’s an honor for all the people at St. Lawrence and for all the parents, alumni and friends who have helped us.”