To: Southern Nebraska Register
Lincoln Journal Star/Neighborhood Extra
KVSS – Spirit Catholic Radio
Date: December 12, 2013
New Pius X Scholarship Established in Memory of Rev. Mark Tasler
The Pius X Foundation is honored to be the beneficiary of a $10,000 endowed scholarship established by the Estate of Glenn and Anne Miller, Jason and Cindy Miller, and Matt and Joan Tasler in memory of Father Mark Tasler, who passed away in a car accident on April 6, 2010. The Father Mark Tasler Memorial Scholarship will be distributed annually to Pius X student(s) with financial need.
Fr. Tasler was born in Lake City, Iowa in 1954. He attended high school in Lohrville, Iowa. After graduation, Fr. Tasler worked for Frontier Airlines for a number of years before entering the seminary. He received his degree in the humanities at Mt. St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md. He also obtained master degrees in theology and divinity.
Fr. Tasler was ordained a priest on May 26, 1990 by the late Bishop Glennon P. Flavin. He served as assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament and St. Patrick parishes in Lincoln and the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center on the University of Nebraska – Lincoln campus. While assistant pastor of these parishes, he also taught at Pius X High School. During his time at the Newman Center, he served as Assistant Director of Vocations for the diocese.
In 1994, Fr. Tasler was appointed pastor of Presentation Parish in rural Bellwood (Marietta) and taught at Aquinas Catholic School in David City. Two years later, he was appointed pastor of St. Benedict Parish and principal of Lourdes Catholic Schools in Nebraska City. In 2006, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in York and superintendent of the parish grade school, where he served until his death.
The Fr. Tasler Memorial Scholarship has been established to honor the great importance that our Catholic schools had in Fr. Tasler’s heart. Throughout his entire 20 years of priesthood, Fr. Tasler was working in some capacity in the diocese’s Catholic school system, as teacher, principal and superintendent. He had a great rapport with his students and cared deeply about each one. Fr. Tasler’s family continues to hear stories from his former students, many of them from Pius X, about the lasting and positive impact that Father had in their lives. In a 2006 interview, Fr. Tasler said: "I want to be an instrument to help people grow closer to God.”
If you would like donate to this scholarship or another existing scholarship, or establish a new endowed scholarship or endowed fund, please contact Michelle Birkel at the Pius X Foundation at 402.488.1046. You may also donate directly to an existing scholarship by sending a check to the Pius X Foundation at 6000 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510 or by donating safely and securely on-line at www.piusx.net/foundation, and click on the Donate Now link.
As the central Catholic high school in Lincoln, Pius X is now in its 58th year of providing excellence in secondary education, serving 1,114 students in grades 9-12. Pius X High School is dedicated to a total education that is Christ-centered by integrating Catholic values in all areas of life and providing academic preparation of the highest quality in a disciplined environment. In September, 2012 Pius X received special recognition for Excellence in Catholic Identity by the Cardinal Newman Society’s National Catholic High School Honor Roll. This is the fourth time in seven years that Pius X has been named as part of the Honor Roll, including two Top 50 honors and one honorable mention. Pius X is guided by Pope St. Pius X’s motto, “Restore all things in Christ”.
