Father Melvin Long was born August 7, 1940, in New Almelo. He died on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
Father Long’s parents were Andrew and Regina (Otter) Long. He attended grade school at St. John’s in Beloit, graduated from St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, as well as the American Theological Seminary at University of Louvain in Belgium.
He was ordained June 18, 1966, at St. John the Baptist in Beloit by Bishop Cyril Vogel.
One of the most notable accomplishments during Father Long’s ministry was founding St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Salina in 1981. Father Long led the project, building the parish from the ground up. The parish today is served by Father Keith Weber and has 684 families as regular parishioners. As the parish was being built, Father Long celebrated Mass in some very interesting places, including the movie theater!
Father Long’s priestly ministry included teaching positions at Marymount College, Bethany College and Cloud County Community College, but he was also called to minister in Europe. Father Long spent his seminary years in Belgium at the American Theological Seminary at University of Louvain. After his ordination, he was called back to Belgium to serve as a faculty member in 1973 and later served as leadership in the 1990s.
When Father Long retired in 2002, he moved to California due to health complications. However, his priestly ministry did not stop there. He filled in at parishes across the country so that other priests could take extended sabbaticals. He also was a part of the “Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America” and did some cruise ship ministry for several years.
In the May 2016 issue of The Register, Father Long stated, “I love ministry, and I love people. That’s why I’ve continued (ministering) beyond retirement on a regular basis.” He also fondly recalled the many friendships he still maintained from his years serving in the Diocese of Salina.
During his time in Diocese of Salina, Father Long’s assignments were as follows:
1966-68: Parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina
1968-70: Parochial vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Concordia
1970-73: Professor and chaplain at Marymount College in Salina
1973-78: Faculty at The American College of Louvian in Belgium
1978-80: Pastor at St. Boniface Parish in Tipton and St. Mary Parish in Downs
1980: Director of the Office of Diocesan Planning in Salina
1981-88: Founding pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Salina while continuing work at the chancery
1982-1990: Vicar general of the Diocese of Salina
1988-90: Pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Hays
1990-92: Executive Vice President for Development of American College at the Catholic University of Louvain, working from Washington D.C.
1992-93: Interim President/Rector of American College at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium
1993-1995: Executive Vice President of American College at the Catholic University of Louvain, working from Washington D.C.
1995-2002: Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Manhattan
2002: Retired to California due to health complications
Vigil service is at 6:00 pm on Friday, August 25, 2023, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina. Funeral Mass is at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina, with burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Salina.
