Msgr. Bonczewski accepts position in West Virginia

Intermountain Catholic

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Monsignor Bill Bonczewski

MURRAY — Monsignor Bill Bonczewski, pastor of Saint Jude Maronite Catholic Church since 2008, has been transferred to Wheeling, W. Va. He will celebrate his last Mass in Murray on Sept. 4.

Father Bill, as he likes to be called, grew up in the Maronite Rite of the Catholic Church in Wilkes Barre, Penn. His mother was a member of the Maronite Rite and his father was Roman Catholic. He knew as a youth that he wanted to be a priest.

"In order to become a Maronite priest, I had to apply to Rome for a change of rite because you are automatically the rite of your father," said Fr. Bill.

He was ordained in 1976; he has had assignments in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Utah.

"Every move I’ve made has brought me more blessings than I could have ever thought," he said. "I have met beautiful, religious people, who are in love with the Lord, and who have shown great kindness to me everywhere I’ve been. Certainly that has been the case in Utah."

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, has been kind and helpful, Fr. Bill said. "My brother priests in the Roman rite have welcomed me here. The people of St. Jude are good, holy people and friends of the parish are beautiful people. Also, my experience with the local Mormon community has been pretty good and kind."

The people of St. Jude Parish expressed a sadness that Fr. Bill is leaving.

"I am really going to miss him," said Anthony Allam, parishioner. "In the short time Fr. Bill has been at St. Jude, he has made some big improvements to the parish and its programs. He brought back the Maronite processions on feast days, revitalized the men’s club and people seem to be more active in the parish. We also have a lot of Latin rite members coming to our church as a result of him. Fr. Bill has been a great teacher of the heritage and richness of the Maronite rite. His homilies are moving and he always related them to life with a great message. He has done so much for the community and for me personally."

Since Allam was 12 years old he has wanted to enter the Eastern rite sub-deacon program and did so at Fr. Bill’s invitation. "The need was there and Fr. Bill could see my desire," he said.

Parishioner Richard Tabish agreed Fr. Bill rallied parishioners to get involved. "He has provided St. Jude with a spiritual presence and leadership, and has organized the youth group, the parish council and other clubs. He is a very holy man and lives the Maronite rite beautifully. Although we understood he wouldn’t be here forever, we are sad he is leaving."

Wadell Goins was baptized into the Maronite rite as a result of Fr. Bill. "He is a leader and a friend," said Goins.

"He is our shepherd," said Idilko Haycock, who works in the parish office. "I met Fr. Bill when he was celebrating a Roman rite Mass at the Carmelite monastery and loved his homilies. He truly cares for his flock spiritually, emotionally and gives 110 percent; he wears himself out for Jesus. He expects the most of you and you want to do your best for him. He’s bold and direct, but does it so lovingly and kindly."

"Being a priest has been challenging and very difficult, but the Lord has been very good to me and my life has been filled with joy from the Lord," Fr. Bill said. "I don’t think I could have gotten that from anywhere or anything else. I’ve always been happy with the calling to be a priest."