About Friends to the Indigent

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Fr. Len Wenke

Father Len Wenke has ministered in the Archdiocese for 43 years. His ministry as a priest has been filled with grace and opportunity. He just finished a six-year term as pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes parish and Holy Family / San Antonio in Cincinnati. These two parishes are located on the West side of town. Parishioners noted that Fr. Len is compassionate in times of need. He exhibits a strong care for those in need.

A Cincinnati native and Elder High School graduate, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1979, after graduation from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. He was on the faculty and served as chaplain at Carroll High School in Dayton, while a resident associate at St. Agnes Church, from 1979 to 1982. Father Wenke went on to direct the archdiocesan Office of Youth Ministry, living at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Monfort Heights and St. Agnes in Bond Hill, from 1982 to 1991. After serving briefly as temporary administrator of St. Matthias in Forest Park in 1991, he became executive director of the National Federation for Youth Ministry in Washington, D.C. He returned to Cincinnati and served as pastor of St. Anthony, Madisonville, from July 1997 until May 2010. From June 2007 until June of 2010, Father Wenke served as the director of Priests’ Personnel Office. From June of 2007 until June of 2016, he served as the Director of Pastoral Services. He has also served as dean for the St. Francis de Sales Deanery and as member of the Presbyteral Council. In addition, he has ministered to the incarcerated and provided pastoral care to families at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Father Wenke brings an extensive background in ministry and nurturing the faith of others to his new role as Parochial Vicar in the Dayton Family of Parishes that includes: St. Anthony, St. Helen, St. Mary, Holy Angels and Immaculate Conception. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve in the new family of parishes.

He is committed to the mission of Friends of the Indigent.