Issue of November 10, 2002

Fr. William Martin

Developed Ministry to Elderly

Father William J. Martin, pastor emeritus of St. Leonard Parish in Berwyn, and most recently, associate pastor at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs, died Oct. 31 at age 73 at Loyola Hospital.

A native of Chicago’s South Side, Father Martin was ordained in 1955 following studies at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein. He served the first five years of his ministry as associate pastor of Precious Blood Parish, on the West Side of the city, returning there in 1974 for a five-year term as pastor.

Between those assignments, he was an associate pastor at St. Athanasius in Evanston, St. Rene Goupil in Chicago and St. Louise de Marillac in La Grange Park. In 1979, he began a 13-year appointment as pastor of St. Leonard in Berwyn.

Bishop Timothy Lyne, retired auxiliary bishop of Chicago, praised Father Martin for his skills as a pastor at St. Leonard’s and at Precious Blood, a parish undergoing great change at the time.

In 1992, following his pastorate at St. Leonard, he was made associate pastor of St. John of the Cross in Western Springs. During his six years as associate pastor, and later, following his retirement in 1998, Father Martin worked closely with the elderly of the parish and ministered to the sick. “He was a compassionate, caring, gentle person,” noted Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame Jeanne Bonneau, pastoral associate at St. John. “Caring for the sick and the elderly was his trademark while he was here,” she said. He started a senior club at the parish and was the club’s moderator even after he retired and was living at a retirement community in LaGrange Park.

Sister Jeanne said Father Martin also had great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and traveled often to Mexico.

Fr. George Harris

teacher

Viatorian Father George Harris died Oct. 31 at age 65. Father Harris, a native of Decatur, Ind., served as a teacher in Springfield, Ill., Las Vegas, Nev., and then at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights from 1987 until his death.

Sr. Alverna Sobczyk

Teacher, nurse

Sister of St. Joseph Mary Alverna Sobczyk died Oct. 31 at age 89. A member of the Sisters of St. Joseph for 73 years, she spent most of her ministry in teaching. She also earned her certification as a nurse’s aide and spent her summers volunteering at the orders’ hospitals in Nebraska and Colorado.

Sr. Ellen Lynch

Educator

Sister of Charity Ellen (Josephinus) Lynch died Oct. 28 at age 77. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Annunciation, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Callistus, St. Cornelius, Holy Family, and Children of Peace schools, and at Josephinum High School. She was a graduate of Our Lady Help of Christians and Immaculata High School.

Fr. Ivo Sivric

Croatian-born priest

Croatian born Franciscan Father Ivo Sivric died Oct. 28 at age 85. A native of Medjugorje, he came to the U.S. in 1947 to serve in the Chicago based Croatian Franciscan Custody of the Holy Family. Father Ivo also served as director of Croatian Franciscan Publications.

Sr. Helen Rita Morris

teacher

Sister of Mercy Helen Rita Morris died Oct. 15 at age 97. She was a Sister of Mercy for 76 years. Sister Helen Rita taught in the archdiocese at 12 different grade schools, as well as at St. Xavier and St. Patrick academies and Mother McAuley High School. She retired in 1974 and most recently resided in Aurora.

Sr. Alice Gantley

Teacher, principal

Sister of St. Francis Mary Alice Gantley died Oct. 18 at age 95. She spent most of her 53 years of active ministry as an elementary school teacher and principal in the archdiocese of Chicago and elsewhere. Her most recent mission was in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, where she served from 1964 until her retirement in 1979.

James Hartnett

attributeD miracle to padre pio

James Hartnett, retired printing broker, died Oct. 17 at age 66.

Nearly 40 years ago Mr. Hartnett was diagnosed with bone cancer and given six months to live. He then went to Italy to attend Mass with Padre Pio. Hartnett wanted Padre Pio to grant him the grace to die with courage.

Mr. Hartnett said that during the consecration he saw “pure light” in Padre Pio’s hand and that the light went “through” him. After he returned home, his doctors said he had been cured of his cancer and could offer no explanation.

Sr. Elisabeth Heringhaus

Missionary from Germany

Holy Spirit Missionary Sister Cosma (Maria Elisabeth) Heringhaus died Oct. 11 at age 80. A native of Germany, she joined the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in 1946 and was sent to the U.S. soon after. She served in administration and accounting. She also served as congregational treasurer in Rome for 20 years.

Sr. Seraphia Majerczak

60 years in education

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Mary Seraphia Majerczak died Sept. 28 at age 89. She was a member of the congregation for nearly 75 years. She ministered in education for more than 60 years, teaching at 10 archdiocesan elementary schools in Chicago and the suburbs.

Sr. Claudine Wrobel

teacher

Felician Sister Mary Claudine Wrobel died Aug. 20 at age 80. She was a member of the Felician Sisters for 58 years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago she taught at St. Bronislava, Our Lady of Ransom, Good Shepherd, and St. Joseph schools.