40th anniversary of priest Anton Erber: "An all-rounder of the old school"

Created: 07/05/2022, 20:00

By: Nico Bauer

Entry of the clergy: (from left) Jubilee pastor Anton Erber, pastor i.

R. Otto Steinberger and Military Dean Artur Wagner, who gave the sermon.

© farmer

Kranzberg's pastor Anton Erber celebrated his 40th anniversary as a priest.

The ceremony showed how happy the believers are with the clergyman.

Kranzberg/Massenhausen

– Not so long ago, a pastor had far more (secular) duties in a parish than traditional church work.

Anton Erber from Kranzberg is one of those old-school clergymen who are involved in a variety of ways.

Erber was ordained a priest 40 years ago and has been a pastor in various parishes within the Deanery of Weihenstephan for 35 years.

And he is very popular everywhere: That's why he got two lavish celebrations for his priestly jubilee - once in Kranzberg, once in Massenhausen.

Closely connected to the parish - and "side job" as a landlord

Anton Erber was already active in nine of the 14 parishes of the Deanery of Weihenstephan, and he was also head of the parish associations of Kranzberg, Massenhausen and Hallbergmoos-Goldach.

There are also tasks as parish administrator of Wippenhausen and Hohenbercha as well as of Massenhausen, Sünzhausen, Gremertshausen and Fürholzen.

"He's an old-school all-rounder," said Ernst Leonhard Kugler, Chairman of the Weihenstephan Dean's Council.

"He is one of the last installed pastors who is linked to his parish." Anton Erber, as the pastor in Kranzberg, is also the innkeeper, because they have a restaurant concession for the Pfarrstadl.

The chairman of the dean's council made it clear that Erber was also a good logistician, a trainer and a teacher of the faith.

By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.

Mayor Hermann Hammerl emphasized that Anton Erber had constantly renovated or modernized the facilities such as the parish kindergarten, church, vicarage or cemeteries.

The secular head of Kranzberg further explained that he had introduced many institutions such as senior citizens' groups, libraries or kindergartens and thus enriched public life.

Hammerl wished the pastor that he should keep his health, his enthusiasm and his sense of humor.

Consecration took place in Freising Cathedral

The sermon on the priest's jubilee was given by the military dean, Artur Wagner, who recalled Erber's ordination to the priesthood in Freising Cathedral and addressed the changes in society.

“The church is seen by many today as a totally backward club of uptight old men.

And if today a young person has the courage to follow Christ in the priesthood, it is not uncommon for a large number of his friends and relatives to doubt his mental health." Wagner emphasized that one does not enter into the service of God with one's own decision, but be fetched.

"It's worth following this Jesus Christ," the military dean called out to the Kranzbergers.

In doing so, he drew a link to Anton Erber.

Clubs with flag delegations paid their respect and thanks to Pastor Anton Erber at the solemn church procession.

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Many well-wishers were able to confirm that for him the priesthood is not a profession, but a vocation.

The importance of the eternal pastor of Kranzberg was also underlined by many associations, which picked up the jubilee at the vicarage with their flag delegations and led them to the church with a small procession.