Rev. George Rozycki

I have found that emotionally one of the hardest things which I have to do as bishop is to bury my brother priests. Obviously the difficulty is not with the theology of death but as in any family when a member passes from life into death into new life, there is a sense of loss and a pain of saying farewell. Because of my faith in the resurrection and that by and through the death of the Lord it became possible for all of us appropriately prepared and at peace with our God to eventually enter eternal life, the “sting” is somewhat reduced but death, especially when it comes surprisingly quickly and somewhat unexpectedly moves me to the same questions for God as it might any family who has lost a member.

This past Easter, Father George Rozycki, pastor of St. Joseph parish in Zephyrhills, began to feel something was wrong with himself. Like most men he delayed seeing a doctor and in 2008 he had had a long siege of sickness and hospitalization resulting from cancer and a colon re-section. I am sure he was not at peace with the possibility of entering a hospital again and facing another surgery and recovery. Last month he finally went to see his primary physician who put him into the hospital in Zephyrhills for observation and tests and pancreatic cancer became the prime suspect. He entered Tampa General only a few weeks ago for biopsy and had surgery week before last. Sparing you the details, Father George was led home to the Lord on Monday afternoon as a result of many things including apparently sepsis. In nine weeks, this good man went from feeling well enough to death. Amazingly he leaves both parents who will attend his funeral Mass along with a brother and nieces and nephews.

Born in 1943, Father George was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Center in May of 1970. For a portion of his priestly life he served in the Diocese of Honolulu before coming to our local Church in 1992. Ministering as an Associate Pastor in Holy Family parish in St. Petersburg and Nativity parish in Brandon, it was my joy to inform Father Rozycki that he had been incardinated into our diocese and later to give him his first and last assignment as pastor here to St. Joseph’s in Zephyrhills. That parish is amazing in that the population of the area goes from about 10,000 in the summer months to near 60,000 in the winter so the demands on the priests of the parish are especially challenging during those periods when the “snow birds” are here. Father George loved the parish and its people, whether they were the summer remnant or the winter influx. However, he was beginning to tire and he asked me if he could retire on his 70th birthday which is two years away and I said yes. But he had one more thing he wished to do before stepping aside at St. Joseph and that was to renovate the sanctuary of St. Joseph’s, a project underway and so far along that it will not be possible for us to hold his funeral Mass in the Church which is full of scaffolding, but in the parish hall.

Father George had a wonderful sense of balance about himself and a very cheery disposition. If things got to him, it must have been internally because almost everyone would say that he was ever happy. When I saw him two weeks ago before his surgery, he knew he was quite sick and that it was likely that he would not live to see the rest for which he longed in retirement. He told me that he did not fear death but just regretted that he would not have some years free of administration to relax, enjoy life, and “smell the coffee.” I would see him one final time the day after surgery, Tuesday of last week, and he was heavily sedated and in ICU but he still managed to look at me and smile when I told him that we were all praying for him. I think he knew that he had one foot in that place of eternal rest.

Many shall miss him, I among them. Father George, may you rest in peace and may eternal light shine on you.

+RNL

Monsignor Aidan Foynes, Ordained June 4, 1961 on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of ordination. Photo courtesy of Brandon and Michelle Horn

This past week-end was quite an exercise in sacramental theology as well as one of strength and stamina. It must be something akin to hitting a home run and then having to run and touch the four bases. On Saturday I began with a large confirmation at St. Paul’s parish in Carrollwood, Tampa. 197 young women and men presented themselves for the sacrament which for me translates into about two hours of energy to be expended. They were a wonderful class, well prepared and very serious. I was constantly conscious of the fact that about two hundred of their family and friends were unable to find seats and would be standing throughout the Mass. About two-thirds of the way through the confirmation rite itself, a first occurred. A young man after I had confirmed him and spoken briefly to him asked, “May I give you a hug?” Before I could answer he had enveloped me in a big hug and said “thanks” and then departed. I looked at the pastor, Father Len Piotrowski, who said to me “that was not in the script!” Before long it became the thing to do, with about another fifteen men and women leaving me with a big hug. I could only think “how long would we be here if all 197 did the same?” We would likely still be there on Monday.

Brian and Kelsey Christian with Brian's uncle Fr. Jim Johnson

Saturday evening at the Cathedral I celebrated the Mass and preached at a nuptial Mass for one of my long time servers at St. Jude’s during his High School and College days, Brian Christian and his new wife Kelsey. Brian’s uncle is Father Jim Johnson, the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima parish in Inverness and Director of Good Counsel Camp. He actually performed the marriage ceremony. It was in many ways a simple wedding and a simple reception. As I have mentioned here in prior posts, it is a good thing that I do not do many weddings as I am very rusty and could easily skip a major part, like the Nuptial Blessing if not careful or with assistance. I was honored to have been invited to participate in an event which focused mainly on the marriage moment and not so much on the reception which would follow.

On Sunday morning I began by visiting one of our pastors, Father George Rozycki of St. Joseph’s parish in Zephyrhills, who is in Tampa General for tests and exploratory procedures. Please keep Father George in your prayers as at this moment his situation seems ominous. Those of you who know Tampa General know that it is possible to get lost easily and walk miles from car to bedside. It took me twice as long to find Father George and return to my car as the thirty minutes I was able to spend with him.

From the bedside of a pastor to a celebration of fifty years of priestly ministry, I then drove yesterday morning to St. Cecilia parish in Clearwater where the parish, family and friends celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of ordination of Monsignor Aidan Foynes, its retired pastor and a wonderful priest of this diocese. Monsignor preached and I sat entranced and entralled by his words. I mentioned to the gathered that bishops do not often get a chance to hear their priests preach because when we are present we seem to trump them and are always called upon to preach. What a pity because Monsignor Foynes with a wonderful combination of Irish wit and deep insight into the mystery of priesthood almost brought me to tears at moments and to laughter at others. The love in the Church for this gentle servant of the Gospel was palpable. So the third base sacrament this week-end was a renewed sense of gratitude for Holy Orders.

But there was one more to come as I rounded third and headed to St. Mark’s parish in New Tampa for yet another confirmation, this time with 97 candidates and thankfully no hugs. The ceremony was beautiful, the Church was packed, the music great and the young women and men serious and well prepared. I came home exhausted, climbed into bed and thanked God for the home run opportunity He gave me this week-end to celebrate four sacraments of the Church.

+RNL