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Father Steve Pautler
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Pastorspautlerstmarycentralia.orgFather Steven M. Pautler serves as the Pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Mary Parish, Centralia and the Director of Formation for the Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Belleville. Prior to his journey to the priesthood, he resided in Evansville, IL for his entire life until the age of 54. He received his education at St. Boniface Grade School and Sparta High School. Father Pautler possesses an extensive background in community involvement and leadership. He previously held the positions of president of the Evansville Jaycees and Village Trustee for 24 years. In terms of higher education, he pursued studies at Belleville Area College (SWIC) and successfully completed his education at Missouri Technical Schools in 1983. He dedicated 32 years of his career to Xerox Corporation. In 2008, Father Pautler obtained his Certificate in Deacon Formation from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and was ordained to the Order of Deacon on July 26 of the same year. For ten years, he faithfully served as a Deacon at St. Boniface Parish in Evansville. He has also held various positions within the Illinois State Knights of Columbus, including past youth director. Currently, he fulfills the roles of Priesthood Sunday Chairman and Associate Chaplain for the Belleville Diocesan Chapter. Additionally, he has served as District Deputy and Past Grand Knight. From 1979 to 2015, he held the positions of founding Counsellor and Chief Counsellor of the Columbian Squire, the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus. In 2015, at the age of 54, Father Pautler retired from Xerox Corporation to further pursue his vocation. Bishop Braxton sent him to Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. After completing his studies, he was ordained to the Priesthood on May 19, 2018, at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Following his ordination, he was appointed as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville. On May 4, 2018, Father Pautler was awarded his Master of Divinity Degree. Margaret, his mother, currently resides in Red Bud, IL. He has one brother named Brian, who is married to Alice. Completing his immediate family are his niece, Heather (Dan) Erwin, his nephew Travis, and his great-nephew, Ollie. Sadly, his father Anthony passed away in 1995.
