Our Priests

I look forward to beginning ministry in our newly formed Pastorate 16, and I look forward to a better name for it than that!  Many have been asking what the future holds and my response is typically, “I don’t know.”  We will be on this adventure together and I will communicate what’s happening as we figure it out.

I grew up just to the south in Jefferson, attending Catholic school for two years and then the rest in public school.  I then attended UW-Madison and earned a business degree.  I worked for a year and a half selling paint during which I discerned that I needed to go to seminary.   I was sent to Sacred Heart in Detroit where I was formed for six years.  In 2011, I was ordained a priest and have had five assignments in these 12 years.  I’ve said in the last couple that I’m looking for some stability, but the Lord seems to have other plans.  Anyway, I’ll say it again: I hope I’m able to stay a bit longer in this assignment than my previous. 

I enjoy hunting, running, kayaking or just floating down a river.  Just hanging out with family and friends or having a good meal with them is how I spend quite a bit of my free time.  I have a dog, Buddy, but he lives with my parents now that he gets a bit territorial.

I’m number 5 out of 6 kids, with three older brothers and an older sister and one younger sister.  Between them, I have 17 nieces and nephews, three of which are my goddaughters.  My parents live in the Helenville-Rome area and so you may see them around.  They still claim St. John the Baptist as their church, but they are technically parishioners of our pastorate since they live in the Sullivan area.  You’ll probably see other family around, too, since they don’t live far.

I look forward to working with you and getting to know you as we further our Lord’s Kingdom in this very interesting time in His Church!  I have been and will continue to pray for all of you.

In Christ,
Fr. Tim

Hi! My name is Fr. Jim Leeser, and I am originally from the south side of Milwaukee, and the youngest of four children.  I went to public schools as a child, and attended St. Gerard's Catholic Church for Sunday Mass and CCD classes.  I graduated from Milwaukee Tech and Trade in Carpentry and Architectural Drafting.  Then, I graduated with two associate degrees in Business Management and Real Estate. 

My career was in finance and insurance prior to entering the seminary in August 2006.  I attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.  I graduated with a bachelors degree in Philosophy and a masters degree in Theology.  I was ordained a Catholic Priest in June 2014 for the Diocese of Madison.  My prior assignments included Waunakee, Mineral Point/Belmont and Janesville.  I began my new assignment in for Pastorate 16 on July 1 which include the parishes in Watertown, Lake Mills, Johnson Creek and Sullivan. 

I enjoy serving the Lord and doing his work!  I am glad to be here with my brother priests of Fr. Tim and Fr. Manuel.  I look forward in serving the people in these communities. 

Fr. Manuel Mendez was born in Campeche Mexico, in 1966. He is fourth of six children, four sisters and two brothers.  Fr. Mendez studied in the Conciliar Seminary of Mexico, in Mexico City, and graduated in 1994. On July 15, 1994, he was ordained as Priest to the Diocese of Atlacomulco, Mexico State. He came to the United States by invitation of Bishop of the Diocese of Yakima Washington State in 1999, where he worked until 2003.He then served the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois until June of 2006. Fr. Mendez joined the Diocese of Madison in 2006.

Fr. Mendez served Good Shepherd parish in Madison  for 17 years, and joined the Pastorate 16 on July 1, 2023. He is celebrating masses at St. Bernard and St. Henry in Watertown as well as  Sullivan and Lake Mills.