Father Donald Zenk made the priesthood his life for 60 years, and the community of Austin is getting ready to celebrate his 60th anniversary with him.

Zenk is celebrating his 60th anniversary in the Catholic priesthood on Sunday with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. in the family room at St. Edwards Catholic Church, 2000 Oakland Avenue W.

“It’s nice to have made 60 years,” Zenk said. “It’s a long time, especially since I’m so young.”

Before Zenk became a priest, he served as a military policeman toward the end of World Ward II. After he returned, he went to school with the intent to join the priesthood. After eight years of preparation, he was ordained on June 6, 1954.

Over Zenk’s 60 years of priesthood, he preached in a variety of places in southern Minnesota, such as Lakefield and Lanesboro. In 1967, he started the Church of the Resurrection in Rochester, Minn., and after that he was the priest at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Austin for about 11 years. He has been in Austin for more than 20 years.

These days, Zenk is in semi-retirement at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, Minn.

Zenk wanted to be in the parish because of his faith and love for God, and he said the thought of being able to help others along the way in their spiritual journey appealed to him right away.

“Serve the Lord, serve the church, serve people,” Zenk said.

Although Zenk is no longer in the parish, he said friends and people in the community who know him set up the celebration, and he is looking forward to reconnecting with friends. Zenk said he is grateful for his good health and the opportunities he has been given.

“I’ve been grateful to [have been] able to serve the people of Austin for all these years,” Zenk said.