Priest with just months to live uses experience to minister to others

Published: 2005-07-05

THE DALLES, Ore. (CNS) -- Within the year, Father Joseph Kelbel will probably die. A priest for 25 years, he has told parishioners at the churches he administers in the small north-central Oregon towns of Dufur, Maupin, Grass Valley and Wasco that his doctors recently gave him two to 12 months to live because of complications related to treatment for his diabetes. "I do not mind talking about my medical situation at all," said Father Kelbel, who is in residence at St. Peter's in The Dalles, in the Baker Diocese. "In fact I think it is a blessing to let people know that God is good and that he has our life in his heart and mind. It's become my ministry. I think it's affecting a lot of people. I've always felt since ordination that death is something I don't need to fear," he told the Catholic Sentinel, the diocesan newspaper. "It's not the end, it's just transition time."

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