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February 17, 2008

Priesthood was on his mind and heart since second grade

By Dolores Madlener

STAFF WRITER

Interviewee

Father Thomas Rzepiela, pastor of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Palatine, sits in church with students from the parish school. The longtime priest said of growing up in St. Wencelaus Parish that, “Sundays were family days.” Catholic New World/Natalie Battaglia

He is: Father Thomas (Tom) Rzepiela (pronounced zippy-ella), pastor, St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Palatine. Born Feb. 27, 1946, attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School, Quigley and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. Has bachelor’s in philosophy and masters in theology. Ordained 1972.

First assignment = “first love”: “I’ve been blessed with every assignment, but St. Thomas of Villanova Parish was also my first in 1972. It was where I began to understand theology as it’s lived out in a parish — with programs, but more importantly with people of faith.”

On faculty at Mundelein: He was director of field education from 1979-1987. It meant arranging internships for seminarians entering the school of theology so they would experience different aspects of parish life and hospital chaplaincy over a period of three academic years. At the same time he helped out weekends at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish, Arlington Heights.

CFM devotee: He was no stranger to the Christian Family Movement when named archdiocesan chaplain, 1979-1995. “I was involved in it as a seminarian in the ’60s and while serving at Wayside. They had the No. 1 CFM program in the archdiocese. Today we have a very active CFM here at St. Thomas along with many other programs.”

Growing up: His only brother was four years older. “Sundays were family day. We went to the same Mass as a family every Sunday, came home and had a family breakfast. We either did something in the house that day, or went out together. Education was important. My parents were supportive and proud of my brother as well me.”

Pilgrimage event: His grandparents came from Rzeszow in southeastern Poland. In 1985 he was able to accompany Cardinal Bernardin with a group of priests “on a spiritual pilgrimage to Poland, at the invitation of Cardinal Glemp. That was unbelievable.” They toured the country for 10 days and then had three days in Rome. “We concelebrated Mass with Pope John Paul II in his chapel at Castle Gandolfo.”

“Team” work: “My father was a factory worker/supervisor for the Riddell Company for 54 years. They made helmets for all the pro football teams. Growing up we went to Chicago Bears games practically every Sunday when they played at Wrigley Field.” He became a chaplain for the Bears in the 1980s, when Mike Ditka was coach. “You’d celebrate Mass for the team and coaches on the morning of their game day at home, at the hotel right near Soldier Field.”

Mother’s work ethic: “She was a dress maker for the same dress company for 30 years.”

Parents’ pride: “I talked about being a priest in second grade when I became an altar boy. The Felician Sisters were instrumental, too.” Most of the time after ordination, “my parents travelled to whatever parish I was at to attend my Mass. A lot of people at St. Thomas today remember my parents from the ’70s when they were here weekends for Mass.”

Adaptability: After 14 years as pastor of St. Constance — a large Polish parish on the Northwest Side, he landed at Holy Name Cathedral, with its diverse parishioners and out-of-town visitors. “It was a challenge (in a good way) to preach there. It’s not your typical parish. It was a good experience.”

Praised as a very good homilist: “It’s a gift — not everyone can preach.” He does it without notes. “I preach from my heart and the faith perspective of myself and people in the pews. I apply Scripture to daily life, where our people might be. It’s work, but I enjoy preaching very much.”

Advice for new preachers: “Get to know your parishioners. And then try not to go on and on. Be sensitive.”

Favorite Scripture: “From John: ‘You did not choose me, no, I chose you.’”

Leisure: “In the summertime I like to play golf with the guys for my sanity.” His score? “Tiger Woods has nothing to worry about.” He reads when there’s time. “My favorite author is probably Henri Nouwen.”

Best part of priesthood: “We enter deeply into the lives of people in those significant joyful and sorrowful moments. Somehow we remind them God is a part of their life. That’s something I think as priests we should never take for granted.”

The 11th Commandment should be: He smiles, “Always listen to your pastor.”