Wayne Weinlader was born on May 12, 1936 in Chebanse, Illinois, son of Raymond and Alice Weinlader. He has two brothers and two sisters.

He graduated from Central High School in Clifton, Illinois in June 1954. Wayne served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959 and attained the rank of Sergeant. After discharge in September 1959, he worked as an Electronics Technician for RCA in Greenland until becoming a seminarian for the Diocese of Jefferson City in 1962. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy at Cardinal Glennon College, St. Louis, and his Master of Divinity degree at St. Louis University. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Jefferson City on December 21, 1968.

Since Father Weinlader had joined the Diocese of Jefferson City to participate in their foreign mission program operating in Peru, South America, he was immediately assigned to their mission parish in Capachica, Peru upon ordination. While working in this parish, Father Weinlader also assisted the Maryknoll Fathers in the operation of their radio and television stations in nearby Puno, Peru.

In 1973, with the permission of his Bishop, Father Weinlader applied for incardination into the Maryknoll Society. He was assigned to the Maryknoll Mission in Peru as an Associate Priest, working at the Catholic University in Lima building a Radio/TV/Film Center for the University and training the local personnel to operate it. In 1976, Father Weinlader returned to the United States and earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Radio and Television Production at the University of Missouri. During this year at home, he also took his Permanent Oath to Maryknoll Society on May 30, 1976. From 1977 to 1979, he worked in media projects for the local churches in Venezuela, Colombia and Panama.

In February of 1980, Father Weinlader was assigned to the United States Region to work in the Center for Mission Studies at Maryknoll, New York. In October of 1980, with the permission of the Superior General, Father Weinlader accepted a three year assignment to active duty as a Navy Chaplain. Upon completion of the three year Navy assignment in November of 1983, he was assigned to the Maryknoll Mission Region in Bolivia and spent six months in the Pando Vicariate. On August 4, 1984, he was permitted to return to active duty as a Navy Chaplain for an indefinite period. As a Navy Chaplain his assignments have been with the Marines on Okinawa; Aircraft Carrier America CC-66; Marine Corps Boot Camp; Aircraft Carrier Constellation CV-64; Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona; with the Marines in the Persian Gulf during the war in 1990-1991; with the Marines again on Okinawa. Father Weinlader then served as a Commander in the Chaplain Corps at Naval Station, San Diego, CA until illness forced his retirement to Arizona in 1995. At that time, Father Weinlader served almost half of his priesthood in the missions and half as a Navy Chaplain.

However, Father was able to start a new missionary career in Namibia where he is assisting many AIDS orphans and homeless children. He has also created a website for the Namibian Catholic Bishops Conference.

Wayne's Reflections             Wayne's Ministry

Maryknollers in Namibia