Father Chad Wilhelm calls himself an “ordinary priest” — which is to say, he is extraordinarily busy.
The recipient of this year’s Blessed Michael McGivney Medal, which honors exemplary K of C chaplains, is a priest of the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, where he is known for his dynamic parish leadership and community engagement.
As pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Devils Lake until 2023, Father Wilhelm started an altar server program, supported the parish thrift store, and played an essential role in remodeling the parish chapel and Catholic school. Now pastor of St. James Basilica in Jamestown, he is also chaplain of the local fire department, the state highway patrol and the state prison.
Despite his full days, Father Wilhelm always makes time for the Knights. He has been chaplain of three local councils, helping members to grow in prayer with a “Holy Half Hour” before council meetings. He also has served as North Dakota state chaplain for 20 years, in that time recruiting scores of men into the Order and placing small shrines to Blessed Michael McGivney in churches, K of C meeting spaces and homes across the state.
Accepting the medal at the Supreme Knight’s Award Session, Father Wilhelm asked all Knights to pray to the Order’s founder for parish priests, for struggling parishes and for priestly vocations.
“I believe Father McGivney is a saint for our times,” he said. “And we need his intercession now more than ever.”







