November 20, 2009

TERESA MARTINEZ | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Posted: 10.05.09

LAUDERHILL | It had humble beginnings and remained a humble parish until the end.

St. George in Lauderhill had neither an excess of valuable items nor a parish school. What drove people to it, and kept the community alive for 45 years, was the parishioners’ energy, music and devotion to their faith.

The parish began in the early 1960s with a small group of people led by Father (now Msgr.) Laurence Conway. They would come together to celebrate Mass at Parkway Junior High School and teach religious education in the cafetorium.

“I remember getting a letter from Bishop (Coleman) Carroll naming me the administrator for the newly established St. George, and that I would be building the church from the ground up. After I read the letter, I shook it around and then thought to myself, ‘Where’s the check?’” said Msgr. Conway, who is now retired but returned to St. George to concelebrate the final Mass Sept. 27.

“Over the years the parish grew. It was plain, but it was everything you needed,” he said.

For the last 12 years, Father Robert Tywoniak has been St. George’s pastor, the congregation’s friend and family member.

“I give you permission to cry,” said Father Tywoniak as he preached for the last time in front of his beloved parishioners. He held aloft a handkerchief as he began his homily.

He spoke about a prayer request he received several years ago: a note left for him that simply said “Pray for me” and was signed “Eddie.” Not knowing who Eddie was, Father Tywoniak said he took it as a test and Eddie went on the prayer list immediately. Every Sunday since then, Eddie has been prayed for during the prayer of the faithful.

“Promises have been kept and nothing has been left,” said Father Tywoniak.

“We are sad, disappointed and maybe even angry, but don’t let those emotions be an excuse for abandoning your faith or the Church,” he added, his voice rising with emotion. “Don’t disappoint. We’ve worked too hard and there’s more work that needs to be done.”

Throughout the decades, St. George’s multicultural community has fulfilled its faith commitment to social justice by volunteering time and efforts with local community groups and standing up for wronged workers at Nova Southeastern University.

“We have given support to many people in need of help who made their ways to our doors,” said Father Tywoniak. “What we must learn in the Church is that ministry is deeper and broader than numbers and money. It touches great numbers of people in so many ways. People feeling our impact take it with them to make a better world.”

Throughout the celebration of the final Mass, the choir sang and people danced, clapped and sang along in praise to the Lord. Brushing away tears as they sat in the pews for the last time, St. George parishioners seemed to have accepted the inevitable fact that their church would close but they would go on.

“It was the liveliness of the people, the music and its pastor that drew me here. It was everything I needed and they made me feel like family,” said Glenda Thomas. “I understand why the archdiocese made this decision. I’m sad but I plan on going to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and just hope that we can re-create this same vibe and energy there.”

“I grew up in this church with lots of family and friends around me, but it wasn’t until I helped start the Praise Team that I felt as if I had a purpose,” said 18-year-old Alexa Brierre. “It made me want to grow in my faith and opened my eyes to the Church. It makes me sad that we are closing, but I hope that we can continue the Praise Team at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.”

Miami Auxiliary Bishop John Noonan stood beside Father Tywoniak, his classmate and roommate at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, and offered words of support and friendship to the congregation.

“It is very sad, hard and difficult and I know you have fears and anxiety, but do not let anything separate you from God,” said Bishop Noonan. “Jesus loves you unconditionally and he invites you to come to him every day.”

“Although I’m heartbroken, I’m going to let my light shine wherever I go and I’m going to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs,” said parish matriarch Dorothy Paul, adding that she hoped others would follow her to their new parish.

Father Michael “Happy” Hoyer, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, also was on hand to welcome his new parishioners to their new church, four miles away.

“The way we feel now isn’t the best, but we will be a stronger community. Your personalities and faith will move from St. George to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and we will become one. We will become a family,” Father Hoyer said. “We are not closing out God. We are not closing out our faith. We are just expanding and coming together as one in the Lord.”

“Get ready people at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, because the people of St. George are going to infect you with the love and power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ,” said Father Tywoniak, who has been appointed pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Archdiocese of Miami Front Page

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