From prosecuting criminals in Texas courtrooms to strumming “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in a historic Fredericksburg parish hall, Father John A. Ziegler’s priesthood journey has been anything but traditional. Now, after 16 years building up St. Patrick Church — and 30 years in the priesthood — the 72-year-old Detroit native is preparing for his next chapter, though he refuses to call it retirement.
Father Ziegler has served as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg since 2010. When he’s not celebrating Mass, overseeing construction of a new church or modern middle school, he is known to sit quietly and play his guitar.
During a recent Saturday morning breakfast, Father Ziegler filled the parish hall with a rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The Civil War-era tune is very familiar to the area with several former battlefields surrounding the parish.
“The parish grounds were gifted to the diocese because this is where Union Chaplain Father William Corby celebrated Mass for the Irish Brigade,” said Father Ziegler.
Like Father Corby, Father Ziegler is a native of Detroit. He attended St. Gerard Parish School and the University of Detroit High School, a Jesuit preparatory school. After earning a business degree in marketing from Michigan State University in 1976, he worked as a district representative in Cleveland for the Chrysler Corporation.
He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School and practiced law for five years as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County, Texas.
Father Ziegler recalls discerning a vocation to the priesthood while on a visit to Blessed Solanus Casey’s shrine in Detroit.
“After that, things really began to change for me,” said Father Ziegler. “There was an opportunity to serve in the Diocese of Arlington and I never looked back. I have been unimaginably happy. There are enough lawyers in the world; and I found serving God in the church more fulfilling.”
He considers his time as a criminal prosecutor as a stepping stone to the priesthood. “In the church I have a bigger jury, but they seem easier to convince,” he joked.
He attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained May 18, 1996, by Bishop John R. Keating.
“I was ordained with 13 other men,” said Father Ziegler. “My parents brought up the gifts.”
His assignments included serving as a parochial vicar of St. Lawrence Church, Alexandria, 1996-2000; Sacred Heart Church, Manassas, 2000-01; St. Ambrose Church, Annandale, 2001-05; and Our Lady of Angels Church, Woodbridge, 2005-06.
He then served as administrator and pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Colonial Beach and St. Anthony of Padua Mission in King George from 2006 until coming to St. Patrick Jan.13, 2010.
“In my first week, I was invited to a meeting to discuss the master site plan to start the church and middle school,” he said. Father Ziegler wasted no time focusing on the new projects. He made a special contribution to the new church’s sanctuary thanks to his connections and the joint efforts of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde. The church has two side shrines with relics of dozens of holy men and women. He hopes devotion to these saints will encourage the faithful and inspire future generations.
“It’s all for the glory of God. We have been able to accomplish so many things, especially for our children,” said Father Ziegler. “It’s been an honor to serve the Diocese of Arlington. St. Patrick is a gem of a church.”
Father Ziegler received a special honor in March when he was invited to lead the morning invocation at the House of Delegates in Richmond. He encouraged attendees to remember the account they will owe to God someday, to work for the common good and to protect life at every stage.
As his time at the “battlefield church” comes to a close, Father Ziegler will return to Detroit, and while he is looking forward to being near family, he has no intention of “retiring” and does not care for the word.
“I’m going to be busy,” he said. “I already have several pastors asking for my help up there, but I will not forget the people here. All will remain part of my spiritual family.”
Kassock is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.
