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SILVER JUBILEE
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
IN JOLIET,
ILLINOIS
1891-1916
SOUVENIR BOOK
Part 4 of 7 Parts
© Copyright 2003 Slovenian Genealogy Society International and FEEFHS, all
rights reserved
First posted 8 June 1997
Note: This booklet
was published early in the 20th century - about 1916 - in America and in the
Slovenian language. Volunteers for the Slovenian Genealogy
Society have just completed this translation (including the ads) in the
spring of 1997.
There are other Slovenian books with important genealogy
information in them awaiting translation. The SGS requests assistance from
interested persons that are bi-lingual in Slovenian and English to help further
our efforts to share the Slovenian-American heritage with our members and other
Slovene record searchers on the world wide web. If you think can help, please
write to SGS President Al Peterlin at 52 Old Farm Road, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
17011-2604
Baptistery, Pulpit, Confession Booth, and Pictures of St. Mary, The
Perpetual Help
In 1906 the church was enriched by baptistery,
pulpit, two confession booths and a picture of St. Mary, The Perpetual Help. The
baptistery was made out of white marble, the cover is guilded, the name of
George Lopartz was inscribed. The first baby to be baptized at the new
baptistery was Mary Glava. The daughter of well known parishioners and member of
the church committee Mr. Glavan. The pulpit and two confession booths were made
by the Chicago firm. A. H. Andrews Co. The basilica came from in Brezje,
Slovenia. All expenses pertaining the picture were made by Mrs. Jennie
Sustersic, the mother of the pastor. The painting was performed by one of the
well known painters in Veinna, Austria, Joseph Kastner, Father Hugolin Sattner,
the pastor at the Franciscan Fathers' Church in Ljubljana was a big help too.
The picture is admired by everybody who comes to the church.
All
Festivities were guided by Joliet's dean Rev. Dunne, assisted by six priests,
the guest speaker was Rev. J. Kranjec from South Chicago. He mentioned that the
Slovenes in their native land honor Holy Mary, trust her, make pilgrimages to
the churches deducated to her, the
parishioners of Slovene descent should
follow the example. After the sermon the picture was lifted and taken in the
procession to the altar in the chapel. Litanies follow and with benediction the
festivities came to an end.
Let me tell you how the lantern reached the
church. Mrs. Ulm's daughter was very sick, bedridden for over a year, there was
no hope. A dangerous operation was performed the mother made a promise, in case
the daughter would get well she'll donate a lantern for the chapel. The daughter
was cured and entered the Loretto Order, at the present moment she is the Mother
Superior somewhere in Chicago. If anybody wants to come to learn more about her
they should ask for Sister Agnes. And many more cases in which Holy Mary helped
were announced. In March started a mission and lasted two weeks, it was guided
by Rev. F. X. Bajec, from St. Paul, Minnesota.
Holy
Sepulchre
Besides the manger our church has something what hasn't
been seen anywhere, it's Holy Sepulchre, which was seen for the first time at
Easter of 1906. It's in the chapel of Holy Mary. The silk ornaments in the
sepulchre was donated by St. Joseph's Society, Jesus's corps is illuminated by
many colorful lamps, all the time is decorated by fresh fragrant flowers. Over
the tomb there are two angels, pictured with stretched arms and praying, the
ceiling is a sky full of stars.
Over the chapel there is a huge painting
26 ft. by 15 ft., it's the scene of Good Friday on Calvary, in front three
crosses can be seen, the sunset, in the background Jerusalem with temple and
palaces, palm trees and shrubs. The painting was done by Sosman & Landis Co.
in Chicago. The Knights of St. George were honorable guardsmen. On September 4,
more windows were put in on the choir, one depicts the apostles St. Peter and
Paul, the other one St. Elizabeth and St. Magdalene; all windows were the work
of Flanagan & Boedenweg in Chicago. In 1907 Polish parishioners built their
church, their pastor was Rev. Spominski, the Croatians got their church on
Broadway, it was Holy Mary's Church, their pastor was George Violic.
On
the occasion of 40 hours adoration the members of St. Ann's Society donated a
banner which is to be put at the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Agnes's
Society donated burse, stole and the purple cover for the stand of the missal.
In May the new organist George Malovrh took over. Rev. Sustersic took a longer
leave, he went to Rome to honor Pope Pius X, he arrived in Rome June 30, the
pastor pro tempore was Rev. A. M. Kraschowitz who stayed here as the chaplain
till the last trip of Rev. Sustersic to Europe. On the day of Assumption three
altars were blessed, they were constructed as composition by De Prato at the
cost of $1,500. St. Ann's altar is a donation by St. Ann's Society, the altar of
Sacred Heart of Jesus was donated by Girl's Mary's Society and Girl's Society of
St. Agnes. The statue of Scared Heart of Jesus was a donation by Margaret Music.
Mrs. Frances Zoran collected $105 for the altar of Mary, Our Perpetual Help.
We have to mention that there are two oil paintings hanging on the wall
above the side altars. On the epistle side there is a painting of Jesus Christ
on the Mount of Olives, the second one depicts the Ascension. The first one was
donated by Michael Kochevar, the second one by George Lopartza, each one is a
value of $200, they are the masterpiece of the Polish artist T. Zukotynski.
After the blessing three masses wee celebrated at the same time, the celebrants
were Dean Dunne and the piests of the parish. Mgr. J. F. Buh, observed the
golden anniversary of the priesthood on July 2.Our church of St. Joseph was
festive decorated, from the bell tower there were hanging the Slovene tricolor
flag and the American flag, in between there were numerous banners. The front
entrance was draped in American colors, numerous flowers offered a pleasant
fragrance.
The path between the parish house and the church was
decorated with greenery. The parish house, the school building, the printery as
well as houses nearby were decorated too. At 11:15 a. m. the bells were ringing
and the procession started to move towards the church, it was nice to see the
school children in beautiful outfits. The jubilant was assisted by Rev. L.
Kerze, Rev. Fr. Jager, Archdikon was Rev. P. Zupan, master of ceremonies Rev. J.
Seliskar. The guest speaker was Bishop Jacob Trobec who spoke about the
priesthood and the jubliant.
Besides Bishop Trobec, Bishop Stariha was
present., but in the audience there were Mons. Plut, Shakopee, Minn., two Indian
missioners from the Order of St. Benedict, Rev. Roman Homar and Rev. Ciril
Zupan, among the guest there were Anton Ogulin, St. Paul, Minn., F.X. Bajec, St.
Paul, Minn., Dr. Janez Seliskar, St. Paul, Minn., F. Gladek, St. Paul, Minn.,
Janez Gruden, St. Paul, Minn., Frank Gruden, Minneapolis, Minn., Anton Miks, St.
Michael, Minn., Matt Saus, Delano, Minn., Frank Rant, Arlington, Minn., Matt
Bilban, Eveleth, Minn., Anton Vilman, Watkins, Minn., Luka Klopcic, Calument,
Mich., Joseph Tomsic, Froest City, Pa., Jernej Ponikvar, Cleveland, Ohio, Marko
Pakiz Collinwood, Ohio, Jozef Lavric, Indianapolis, Ind., Janez Smolej,
Milwaukee, Wis.John Plevnik, Waukegan, Ill., Anton Sojar, South Chicago, Janez
Kranjec, South Chicago, F. S. Sustersic and A. Krachowetz, Joliet,
Ill.
After the services the banquet was held in Golobic Hall. Bishop
Stariha was the guest speaker, after the Msgr. Buh described his life and
struggle among the Indians. At the end he said, "While looking at you everybody
in the audience is younger than I. But who is younger at heart?" Next speaker
was Mgr. Plut, the festivities came to a close when Fr. Sustersic thanked each
and everybody for help and cooperation, he was honored that the jubilant chose
St. Joseph's parish for the celebration.
The Development of the Parish
after the Departure of its Founder
The history of St. Joseph's Parish
is at the same time the history of its founder Rev. F. S. Sustersic. Every event
is like a breath of his life, his health lingered, but he was proud to be a
worker in Lord's vineyard. When he left the parish on July 5, 1910 he was
succeeded temprarily by Rev. Kraschowitz. The very same year, September 4, there
was another big event in the parish, newly ordained priest Joseph Stukel
celebrated the mass in the church, his father Joseph Stukel is one of the
pioneers of the parish. The young priest who was born in Chicago got his early
education at the parish school. August 18, 1911 the parish lost a pioneer, Jacob
Cerar passed away, he was 80 years old at the time of his death, he was one of
the pioneers who helped to build the first church.
As mentioned before,
Rev. Kraschowitz took Rev. Sustersic's place, but at the beginning of July the
Most Rev. James Edward Guigley nominated a new priest at St. Joseph's he was
Rev. John Kranjec from South Chicago. Rev. Kraschowitz took over Rev. Krajec's
place. Rev. Stukel who was a chaplain after his ordination at St. Joseph's went
to Bradley, Ill., he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Pollack. The month of May is
always full of flowers and joy.
In May 1912 St. Joseph's Church was happy
to bless the big statue of Holy Mary, a gift of Mrs. anna Nemanich, the wife of
Anton Nemanich; she donated the statue in memory of her parents Mr. and Mrs.
Petru. At the beginning of September Rev. Joseph Pollack went to Hibbing, Minn.,
he was succeeded by Rev. A. Berk. In November a new big altar was blessed in the
church at St. Joseph. St. Joseph's altar was erected in memory of Rev. Sustersic
who donated $1,000. The altar was blessed by local pastor assisted by many
priest, the guest speaker was Rev. Anton Sojar. The first couple who was married
in front of the new altar was Joseph Vlasic and his bride Maria Veselic, both
came from the village of Adlesici, Slovenia, they were married by Rev. Kranjec
November 27, 1912. Next year, in 1913, there was a mission from April 20-27
under the guidance of Rev. F. X. Bajec from St. Paul, Minn.The school building
was getting to small, a meeting was called to order on September 14, and soon
construction work started.
The old sister's house was purchased and
moved by A. Golobic, plans for the new school were made by Charles Wallace, the
contractor was Henry Iatz. In the fall there was a country fair on the school
ground, the parish got a car, donated by John D. Strutzel. the construction work
went on fast, by May of the next year some classrooms could be used already. The
school building is situated on Scott St., it's 112 ft. long and 64 ft. wide, it
has 12 classrooms, each classroom
has measurements 37 x 24 x 12, the
capacity of a room-60 students. They are very well lit, the walls are made out
of asbestos. The entrance is on each side of the building, there is double
staircase to the first floor, on each side of the hallway there is a conference
room, it's lit by electricity, there is a gas line which is not being use at the
moment.
There are special airing devices so the rooms can be aired even
if the windows are closed. There are fountains in the hallways. The blackboards
are green, no more black blackboards. Every student has a good view to the board
so everybody can write at the same time. The building has steam heat, the
chimney is 87 ft. high, there are two furnaces, but one a light gray fog is come
out ot the chimney. Everything is made the way that there are no health
hazzards. In the summer Matt Simmons donated outfits for 40 poor children. The
school building was ready, but what about the sisters, there were 16 of them and
they needed headquarters. At the meeting it was decided that the parish house
should house the sisters, and a new parish house was to be build along Chicago
St. close to the new church.
It was a shame to demolish the old church,
built by the scarifice of pioneer settlers in Joliet. But the old structrue had
to give way to the new parish house, the demolition work started in June. Plans
for the new parish house were made by Charles Wallace, the contructor was Mr.
Lozar from Rockdale. The construction work were finished on New Year 1915. It
was not easy, Rev. Kranjec wanted to inspect the construction works, but since
Rev. Berk left the parish he remained alone, Rev. Berk went to Bridgeport, Ohio.
On his way to Joliet was Rev. Joseph Skur from Slovenia Venezzia; but
WWI broke out and the ship which was bring Rev. Skur was detained. Temporary
chaplain was Rev. A. Kelly, ABSCD from Chicago, he was Irish, he stayed till
beginning of December. By the end of October Rev. Kranjec suffered a bad cold,
since Rev. Kelly did not understand Slovene the Archbishop sent Rev. Joseph
Plevnik, he as to be pastor pro tempore until Rev. Kranjec recuperated. Rev.
Skur arrived on October 15, but Rev. Kranjec did not get better, he was
bedridden with pneumonia and passed away February 12, 1916.
Rev. John
Kranjec was born February 22, 1871 in the village of Stari Trg in Dolenjska
(Lower Carniola), Slovenia, he came to the USA in 1892, was a student of
Theological Seminary of St. Francis, St. Francis, Wisconsin, he was ordained
July 3, 18??, after the ordination he was the chaplain at the English parish in
Joliet, one year later he went to Pittsburgh, Pa. on the invitation of the
bishop, a few years later he took care of the Slovenes in So. Chicago, he stayed
eight years, built the church and parish house.
He was helping out in
Chicago, but it was to difficult to take care of parishioners in So. Chicago and
Chicago at the same time, so he stayed in Chicago at Bishop's advise, in July
1911 he became pastor of Slovene parish in Joliet. While Rev. Kranjec was sick
Rev. Plevnik took care of the parish, the parishioner were Slovenes and only a
Slovene priest would know their needs, only Slovene would be able to help them
in need., that's why His Eminence Bishop of Chicago nominated Rev. Plevnik a
pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Joliet.
Rev. Plevnik made arrangements
for the funeral services for the late Rev. Kranjec, February 15 was a nice day,
at 10 a.m. His Eminence Archbishop James E. Quigley, accompained by Auxiliary
Bishop Rt. Rev. Paul J. Rhode arrived in Joliet, at about 10:30 services began,
there were about 60 priests, among the Slovene priests the following should be
mentioned F. Bajec, J. Cerne, A. J.Kastigar, A. M. Kraschowitz, J. Lavric, J.
Novak, J.J. Oman, M. Pakiz, F. Podgorsek, J. Pollak, A. Sojar, J. Stukel, and F.
Saloven, they were welcomed by Rev. Plevnik and Rev. Skur, the church choir sang
the requiem, the requiem mass was celebrated by His Eminence the Archbishop,
assisted by A. M. Kraschowitz and Rev. Stukel, Rev. Sojar and Rev. George
Violic. Rev. F. Bajec spoke in Slovene, the body was blessed by Rt. Rev. Rhode.
The choir following renditions under the choir director, Lord, Have Mercy, Beati
mortui, Ego sum and Happy are those.
The funeral procession was almost
two miles long, all fraternal organizations sent representatives, many Slavic
and non Slavic organizations were represented, many flowers and wreaths were
seen, among them the wreath of the newspaper The American Slovene, the KSKJ Main
Office, just to mention a few. Rev. Kranjec was buried at Joliet's cemetery
close to the Cross in the center, the choir sang two more renditions in Slovene
October 15, 1916 Rev. John Plaznik became the chaplain at St. Joseph's in
November Rev. Skur went to Lorain, Ohio.
The very same year Rev. John M.
Solnce who encouraged many young men for the priesthood and brought from his
native land many young men who studied in the USA to become priests, one of them
was Rev. Sustersic. Rev. John M. Solnce was born June 7, 1861 in the village of
Smlednik, Upper Carniola (Gorenjska), Slovenia, in 1880 he came with Bishop
Trobec to America and entered St. Francis Seminary. He was priest in many
parishes of Minnesota, his last post was at St. Agnes in St. Paul, where he
built a magnificent church. He died November 15, 1915. There was a requiem mass
offered at St. Joseph's. Two weeks later Bishop John N. Stariha died, he was
born May 12, 1845 in the village Srednja Vas in the parish of Semich, Slovenia.
He got some education in Novo Mesto, in 1866 he had to join the service, and to
a medal at the Battle of Custozza, a year later he went to America.
First
he was a farm hand at a farm in Wisconsin, then he entered St. Francis Seminary,
he was ordained September 19, 1869 by Bishop Mrak, and became vicary general in
his diocese, October 28, 1902 he became bishop in Lead, So. Dakota. He resigned
in 1907 amd returned to Ljubljana where he died November 28, 1915. In 1916 the
church was happy to receive a new cross over the tabernacle, and a lamp on the
altar of Sacred Heart of Jesus, both gifts of Marko Papic, now a brother of
Jesuit Order. The children who received the first communion donated a
repositories.
August 15 was a beautiful day, Sister N. Ferdinanda
observed the Silver Jubilee in the Order of St. Francis in Joliet, the paish
organized a festivity, in the name of the school boys Martin Stefanci thanked
her for all the teaching, in the name of the school girls Mary Kralj thanked her
for religious education and all the help offered to Young Mary's and Blessed
Agnes Society. Mary Zlogar, a speaker, thanked, too. Messrs Golobic and Stonich
thanked for her tremendous help at the church. Mr. Zalar, the president of the
singing society "Soca" mentioned her endevours for preserving Slovene songs and
traditions. During the summer vacation the entire school-building was renovated,
especially the commercial classrooms. In many respects the building is nicer
than in the days when it was opened. St. Joseph's Society #2 KSKJ donated
$300.00.
At the Silver Jubilee of the church the founder was remembered
with a plague which was insert or built in the chapel of Mary, Our Perpetual
Help.
Pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. F. S. Sustersicthe founder
of St. Joseph's Parish, Joliet, Illinois
Born: January 22,
1864
The church committee for the year 1916, consists of following
members, John Grahek, Anton Glavan, Joseph Erjavec, representing Rockdale,
Joseph Muhic, Anton Golobic, George Stonich, Anton Nemanic, Michael Ursic and
John Filak.
The entire parish is divided into 27 communities, the monthly
assessment is being picked up by following members, Michael Gosak, George
Malovrh (for two Communities), Steve G. Vertin, John Sustersic, Frank Music,
Marc Znidarsic, Peter Music, John Butala, Frank Culik, Matthew Stukel,
Joseph Avsec Jr., Abtob Lilek, Matthew Tezar, John Turk, John Markelc,
Jacolb Zelko, Nicholaus J. Vranicar, Joseph Erjavec in Rockdale. This is a brief
outline of the history of St. Joseph's Parish.
The beginnings were hard
and difficult. We are happy that many who helped us to begin the parish are
still among us. But to many are resting on the hill, in the cemetery of St.
Joseph's.
Dear Friend, if you ever walk up the hill, read the names on
the markers, say a brief prayer, it's the resting place of Slovene pioneers who
sacrificed a lot that we have a beautiful church and school we are proud of. In
the 25 years of existence there were 3,810 baptismals (babies and grown ups),
843 couples were married, 1312 parishioners passed away.
0 - 0 - 0
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