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The parish Jubilee Year of 1986 marked the beginning
of an extended celebration of the community of St.
George which climaxed in the 1992 Jubilee of the church
building. On December 28 of 1986 the whole of the parish
celebrated its founding seventy-five years ago. The
significance of this celebration was highlighted by a very
special visit from Auxiliary Bishop John Elya. His Grace
spoke of the Melkite mission and gave encouragement
to the parish's continuing growth. Two former pastors,
Father Golini and Father Geiger, were among the
honored guests. Father Ronald Golini, the Economos of
the Eparchy of Newton, served as pastor of St. George
from 1970 until 1979. Father Damon Geiger, the head of St. Gregory the
Theologian Seminary, was St. George's pastor from
1979 until 1982. The Sunday event began with a
special Divine Liturgy offered by Bishop Elya. The
church, which was dedicated during the Christmas
season of 1911, was befittingly decorated with pine
trees and poinsettias. Assisting in the service were
Fathers Golini, Geiger, and Pastor Milienewicz. Also
serving as Liturgy attendants were two long time
friends of the parish: Father William Farrell and Father
Joseph Coyle. Bishop Elya's sermon emphasized the
congregation's goal of ''looking forward together'' to
the graces of Jesus Christ.
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| Father Frank Milienewicz and the entire parish played host to a very special
catered dinner on the evening of December 28, 1986. One hundred and sixty
parishioners gathered to commemorate the founding of Wisconsin's only Melkite
Catholic church. John Herro, a lifelong parish member and former parish council
president, presided over the ceremonies. He pointed out that ''the Syrians and
Lebanese came to America primarily for economic reasons. They brought with
them a solid Biblical faith and a deep love of family. On these foundations St.
George was built.'' He went on to say that while founded by the Syrian Lebanese
community, St. George has been joined by parishioners and priests of many ethnic
backgrounds.
He continued by referring to the church as a mosaic because it is ''one church composed of individuals from many cultural
backgrounds and traditions.'' Then Bishop Elya spoke in praise of the strength and persistence of the Milwaukee community.
Father Golini and Father Geiger spoke briefly about their memories of the St. George parish and Father Milienewicz used this
occasion to praise the parish's continuing purpose, renovations and restorations to the historic church building. |
L to R - Fr. Geiger, Fr. Golini, Fr. Coyle, Bishop Elya, Fr. Milienewicz |
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Fr. Frank Milienewicz
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Also among the honored guests were James Herro, the president of the parish council, Father Edward Finn S.J., a retired
theology professor from Marquette University, and Father Roman Bernert S.J., the chaplain of Marquette University's Law
School.
In his concluding remarks John Herro stressed that every individual church member has played a part in the history of the St.
George parish. ''Ecologists,'' Herro said, ''tell us that not a leaf falls nor a drop of rain, but that the effect is felt for all time and
eternity. If rain drops and leaves can have unending consequences, what then is the effect of our little church. What then, is the
effect of each of us.''
In 1987 St. George once again suffered the loss of a beloved pastor for the
greater good of the Melkite Eparchy. Father Frank Milienewicz was transferred
to another parish. Father Paul Frechette next came to lead the church of St.
George. Father Paul arrived from the Church of the Virgin Mary in Brooklyn, New
York
and he brought with him a deep sense of theology which transformed the
community. Adult education and a continuing examination of the works of the
early church fathers gave the community a new tie to the greater Melkite past. In
1991 the congregation again offered it's shepherd to the needs of the Seminary
when Father Paul was called back to Newton Center, Massachusetts to be its
rector.
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Father Cyril Crume of St. Ann's in North Hollywood drove to St. George from the California sun and immediately took on a
Wisconsin flavor. One of St. George's youngest pastors, Father Cyril brought the young people back into the fold with pizza
parties and Sunday religious education. Under his direction two extraordinary new members were added to the congregation:
a faultless computer with unlimited fonts and a rectory houseguest named Sasha with a hunger for mice. 1992 was the
seventy-fifth anniversary of the church building and many activities were geared to the commemoration of this structure.
When Father Cryil left the parish, there was a great void - for the Melkites, like so many other Catholic groups have a critical
shortage of priests. Fortunately St. George had a strong and able deacon who was able to administer to the needs of the
community and perform some basic prayer services. Under the leadership of Father Deacon Dimitri Kamolov the church grew
in spirit and self-reliance. An active parish council and the strength of the Holy Spirit allowed the community to grow and
become even more of a ''Family in Christ.'' In these most trying of times the parish sustained 65 active members, created a
newsletter for distant friends, refurbished the church hall and rectory, and actively reached out to our neighbors and the nearby
Marquette campus. A number of priests from throughout the eparchy came to
minister at St. George during these dark times. The parish is
indebted to a number of visiting priests. During this transitional period, the parish received a multitude of blessings from a number of bi-ritual
priests who came to our assistance. Jesuits from Marquette University and other local Roman Rite priests frequently came to
celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The parish will be forever indebted to Father Ray Gawronski, Father Greg Schissel, and Father
Steve Wiese.
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| Finally in the summer of 1995 Deacon Dimitri
was able to transfer administration of the parish
over to a new pastor, Father Philaret Littlefield.
Father Philaret was the former Hegumen of
Christ Our Savior Monastery in Ohio. Father
Philaret brought much of the spirituality of the
Ohio Monastery to the little church at 17th and
State Streets. Father has striven to ensure that
the chants of the liturgy are as authentic and
accurate as possible and he has brought back
the practice of out-of-doors processions. In
August of 1996, Father blessed the first Eastern
Catholic Icon on the Internet - sending St.
George, once more, ahead of his people and
into the world. In September of 1997 the parish celebrated the
80th Anniversary of the building of the church on
State Street. To commemorate the occasion His
Excellency the Roman Archbishop of
Milwaukee, Rembert Weakland was invited to a special vespers service celebrated by Father Littlefield and co-presided by Bishop John Elya, the Melkite Eparch of
Newton. During the vespers Archbishop Weakland spoke eloquently of the diversity of the Catholic church and the beauty of
the Eastern Tradition. The vespers service was well attended by friends of St. George from throughout the Milwaukee area.
A
Milwaukee-style reception followed with brats and hamburgers, homemade salads, and sumptuous cakes. Bishop John
shared his thoughts on the strength of the little Milwaukee community and praised the parish for its perseverance. Both
bishops were presented with a commemorative image of the church which had been designed for the occasion. On Sunday
the festivities continued with Bishop John officiating at the Divine Liturgy and a parish luncheon of falafel. Many of the framed
prints of the church were purchased as mementos of the occasion. Eighty numbered prints were singed by Bishop John and
the valued numbers 1/80 and 80/080 were auctioned to the highest bidder. Parishioners showed their loyalty and love of St.
George by a spirited bidding that brought the entire church hall to applause.
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Father Philaret Carries St. George Icon |
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