It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of Fr. Greg Staudinger on Friday, October 10.
Fr. Greg faithfully served as our pastor from 2018 to 2023. A Billings native, he attended local Catholic schools and graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School. He went on to study for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He later earned a graduate degree in Theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. As a deacon, he served for a year on the Rocky Boy Reservation before returning to St. John’s to complete his master’s degree.
Before coming to St. Pius X, Fr. Greg ministered at St. Mary’s in Columbus and throughout Eastern Montana for more than thirty years. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1981, by Bishop Murphy—right on the half-court line at Billings Central—with every seat in the gym filled. In total, Fr. Greg dedicated over forty-four years of service to the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings.
Fr. Greg will be remembered for his sharp wit, deep faith, and love of all things mechanical. A lifelong railroad enthusiast, he took great joy in helping with the Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School in 2022, even building a detailed model train station that was later gifted to a family. His generous heart, humor, and devotion to his parishioners will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.