MT. OLIVE — Dark grey skies, wind gusts and intermittent bursts of chilly rain showers did little to brighten the spirits of people going to Mass Dec. 4 at Holy Trinity Church in Mt. Olive. It was the last Mass in the church, built in 1913 to serve a then-growing Slovak Catholic community.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki presided, with Father Larry Anschutz, pastor of Blessed Pope John Paul II Parish, the concelebrant. Holy Trinity and Ascension parishes were consolidated July 1 and became Blessed Pope John Paul II Parish.
While Latin was the official language used in church services in America in the early 20th century, sermons were delivered in the vernacular — Slovak at Holy Trinity Church, English at Ascension Church.
Holy Trinity school was open from 1924 to the mid-1960s, and was taught by School Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee,
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," words of Jesus from the Beatitudes, was among the first words of Bishop Paprocki's homily.
"So much of your lives are connected in a most intimate way with this building dedicated to the Blessed Trinity," Bishop Paprocki said. "Here many of you, your children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and neighbors received the gift of new life in the waters of baptism and were incorporated into the Body of Christ, the church."
It was here parishioners received the sacraments and commended their loved ones to eternal life "as you asked the Lord to gather your loved ones into his arms," the bishop said. "Profound and touching memories. It is, I know, hard to let go."
Bishop Paprocki commended parishioners for maintaining the physical structure of their church buildings, and expressed his appreciation "for your patience throughout this process these past several years.
"The merging of parishes — and the closing of a church, in particular — is never easy, yet you have realized and accepted the necessity of the present situation with grace, respect and Christian faith," the bishop said.
He urged everyone to look to the example of their new patron, Blessed Pope John Paul II, to learn how to live the Gospel and prepare the way for the return of the Lord.
"Even as we mourn the loss of the physical structure of Holy Trinity Church, we offer humble thanks to God that the Eucharist will still be reserved in Mt. Olive in the Church of the Ascension."
Robert and Kathleen Yancik and family members were some of those who gathered outside Holy Trinity after Mass, before attending a reception in Ascension Hall. "My husband has (been a long-time member) in the parish, lived just a few doors down from the church," said Kathleen. "His great-nephews, Jonathon and Andrew Yancik, are the servers here at Mass today. His sister Ruth Jubal, was the organist."
"It is sad," said Robert, gazing back up at the church, where Bishop Paprocki and Father Anschutz, were shaking hands with people coming out of the service.