Polish community thanks Fr. Marian
About two weeks ago the parishioners of St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church in Palatine read in the Sunday bulletin that their beloved associate pastor, Fr. Marian Bendyk, is leaving.
It was sad news for many of the parishioners. The Parish Council had written the Cardinal, asking him to allow Fr. Bendyk to stay with the parish until his incardination process takes an effect.
Due to the large population of Polish immigrants in the Northwest suburbs a tremendous effort was made by prestigious members of the Polish community, and the founders of Fryderyk Chopin Polish School -- Zofia & Wiktor Barczyk -- to bring a fluent Polish/English priest to St. Thomas of Villanova. Their effort was rewarded in October 2004.
Fr. Bendyk took it upon himself to strengthen the parish. The Polish Holy Masses started in December 2004, surpassing expectations -- growing from 500 at the first Mass to well over 1,500 people during the High Holidays and averaging 750-900 at any given Mass.
Fr. Marian was a devoted priest. Always ready to serve, always ready to cheer, always ready to hear sorrows, and joys of his Polish fellow man, he was well loved by both English and Polish parishioners. His homilies were filled with spiritual wisdom and compassion.
It is not easy to part with someone who is well loved and who always goes an extra mile for his community.
However, the life of a priest is lonely and sacrificing, and as a soldier the priest has to do what he is told to do. Deep faith and total dependence on the Holy Spirit and God's providence is what sustains an exceptional priest.
We, the Polish community of STV, would like to express our deepest gratitude and thanks for Fr. Marian's hard work and faithfulness to his priestly calling, and his exceptional dedication to keep our Polish tradition alive, and our spirits flying high.
May God always watch over you Fr. Marian. We love you and we will MISS you but not leaving you without our continuous prayer for your future success in your priestly service.
Maria J. Nowakowski
Palatine