Our Servants

Janet C. Soldon-Nelan
Pastoral Associate

Jan is co-founder and co-director of Sacred Wandering and is the associate pastor for the Pastoral Center. She is a retired licensed social worker for the State of Wisconsin and continues to work with individuals through life-coaching and working within Sacred Wandering’s healing clinic.

Jan is a life-long catholic by way of the Episcopalian and Jewish traditions, and adopted the Roman Catholic faith as an adult. She has a unique view of the world around her and is able to help others refocus away from trauma towards a healthier expression of self and spirit.

Fr. Kenneth J Nelan, OFD
Pastor

Fr. Kenn serves as co-founder and co-director of Sacred Wandering. He is a nationally certified licensed professional counselor in the State of Wisconsin.

Fr. Kenn served at a Franciscan parish before being accepted as a seminarian for a Roman Catholic Diocese in 1993. He attended a seminary in Wisconsin where he studied Pastoral Care and Counseling, as well as Theology. He has a special passion for Pastoral Ethics and +Christocentric teaching.

In 2001, Fr. Kenn was ordained a priest in the Catholic tradition but not under the jurisdiction of Rome. In 2007, Fr. Kenn joined and later professed lifetime vows in an autonomous Franciscan order. He is now discovering his own charism and how he best fits the world in service to the +Christ and People of God.

Today, Fr. Kenn serves all people equally under the teachings of the +Christ – that we are to love all people as we love ourselves. He works in the community, providing mental health services equally to the insured and non-insured. He is a priest in the Anglican Free Communion International. Though he is no longer under the Missional Order of St. Francis, he continues to discern his call to service in a religious order.

Religious Vitae

  • Ordination
    • 7 October 2001
    • under the American Catholic Churches in the United States
      • Bishop Michael B. Norton, Hon D.D.
      • Assisted by Archbishop Lawrence J. Harms, Hon D.D.
      • Assisted by Bishop J.J. Johnson, D.D.
  • Current Faculties
    • Anglican Free Communion International
      • The Diocese of Keystone under the Most Rev. Raul Toro
  • Holy Vows
    • The Order of the Servant Franciscans – 12 April 2008 – 2011
    • Renewed – Companions of Saints Francis and Dominic 2011 – 2014
    • Transferred to the Order of Preachers, Old Catholic 2014 – 2020
    • Transferred to the Order of St.s Francis and Clare 2020 – 2022
    • Transferred to the Missional Order of St. Francis 2022 – 2023
    • Transferred to the Order of Francis and Dominic 2024
February 7, 2022

The Anglican Free Communion International

Pastor – Pastoral Center
at Sacred Wandering
Servant – OSFD

February 7, 2022
October 7, 2020

United American Catholic Church

Vocations Director
Pastor – Pastoral Center at
Sacred Wandering
Professed Member of the
Order of Saints Francis and Clare

October 7, 2020
October 15, 2013

Old Catholic Churches International

Pastor – Pastoral Center at
Sacred Wandering
Vicar for the Diocese of
St. Catherine of Siena
Servant General for
Order of Preachers, Old Catholic

October 15, 2013
December 1, 2010

American Old Catholic Church (Later the OCCA)

Pastor – St. Elizabeth Oratory
Professed Member of the Companions of Saints Francis and Dominic

December 1, 2010
November 1, 2007

Order of the Servant Franciscans

Vicar General of the Order
Pastor – Prince of Peace

November 1, 2007
November 1, 2000

American Catholic Church in the United States

Pastor – St. Joseph the Worker
Vicar General of Wisconsin
Appointed to Archbishop’s Council
Named Monsignor to the Archbishop
Named Vicar of the Province of St. Francis of Assisi
Pastor – Christ Our Light

November 1, 2000
February 18, 1993

Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah

Outreach Coordinator to Migrant Workers at St. Francis Parish, Provo;
Special dispensation to serve as subdeacon to assist the pastor;
Seminarian at
Cardinal Stritch University &
Sacred Heart School of Theology
(See Education, Accredited)

February 18, 1993

Education (Accredited)

Accredited InstitutionYears Attended /Graduated
Mount Mary University
Ph.D. Program
Counselor Education and Supervision
2023 – Present
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee (Graduate)
Master of Science
Major – Educational Psychology
Emphasis on Community Counseling
Emphasis on Multicultural Counseling

Graduated with Honors – Summa Cum Laude
2014 – 2016
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee (Undergraduate)
Bachelor of Arts
Major – Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies
Minor – Community Engagement and Education
Certificate – Latin American Studies

Graduated with Honors – Summa Cum Laude
Served on the Board of Trustees for interim SA Government
2012 – 2014
Pima Community College General Studies and Continuing Education
(Studies concurrent with employment: adjunct professor)
2007 – 2009
John XXIII Theological Institute – ACCUS
Major – Theology

Licentiate of Sacred Theology (Unaccredited)
2002 – 2005
Sacred Heart School of Theology (Hales Corners, WI)
Major – Pastoral Counseling
Separate Studies in Religious Studies
Separate Studies in Theology
1996 – 2000
Cardinal Stritch University (Fox Point, WI)
Religious Studies / Priesthood Program For the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah
1996-1998
(concurrent with SHST)


11514 N Port Washington Rd, Suite 101
Mequon, WI. 53092-3442
Office (414) 433-9193