News

Chicago parish to have 'Bp. Wycislo week'

The home parish of former Green Bay Bp. Aloysius Wycislo will celebrate his legacy in October - the first anniversary of his death.

St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish in Cicero - a suburb of Chicago - will observe "Bishop Wycislo Week" Oct. 6-13. Events will include a keynote speech on Oct. 6 by Green Bay Auxiliary Bp. Robert Morneau at a benefit dinner for the school; vocations workshops and non-fiction writing workshops for students Oct. 10-13; a display of his writings and personal artifacts on Oct. 11 in the church; a Memorial Mass at 8 a.m. Oct. 12; and a student drama highlighting his life on Oct. 13.

Aloysius John Wycislo grew up in southeast Cicero and graduated in 1923 from St. Mary of Czestochowa School. His parents, Simon and Victoria Wycislo, were founding members of the 111 year-old parish.

After his ordination to the priesthood, he worked with youth groups and Catholic Charities of Chicago. During World War II, he directed the U.S. Bishops' relief efforts in the Middle East and Europe. After the war, he help resettle a half-million displaced persons, primarily from Poland, Germany and Austria. (This effort became Catholic Relief Services, of which Bp. Wycislo was a founder.)

He returned to Chicago as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and was ordained as an auxiliary bishop in 1960. He attended every session of the Second Vatican Council and wrote about it extensively.

In 1968, he became Bishop of Green Bay, where for the next 15 years he implemented the teachings of Vatican II. After retiring in 1983, Bp. Wycislo continued to write and give speeches. He is the author of five books and numerous articles.

For more information on the celebration, call (708)656-5010, ext. 56, or go to the web site: www.stmaryofczestochowa.org.