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| October 15, 2008 |
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Love for deployed pastor extends to others overseas Courtesy Photo PANAMA CITY | Popsicles, pennies and pastor deployed … oh my! Father Pete Zalewski may not be physically present at his pastoral office at St. Dominic Parish in Panama City, but his spirit is alive and well among the community there. Father Zalewski, who served in the U.S. Air Force before entering the seminary and becoming a priest, serves as a major and chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. He bid a temporary goodbye to his parish in May for military deployment in the Middle East. Since he left, he has been in steady contact with his parishioners, giving them ideas on how to help support the Armed Forces overseas – such as sending freezable treats and paying the postage with spare pennies. “The troops really look forward to being able to worship and have a priest and chaplain to talk to,” said Father Zalewski in a letter he recently wrote home that was published in the June 15 St. Dominic bulletin. “It is phenomenal to see how open they are and how they just start talking about religious and personal things when they have a chaplain. Something deep inside tells them they need to learn more about their faith. The environment here, the starkness of the desert, brings that need out.” That’s why Father Zalewski participates in a confirmation program overseas and asks his parish for support in sending some of the creature comforts of home. For instance, a drive is going on through the parish bookstore to supply needed educational materials. And as the focus of Project Chill, more than 30 boxes of donated freeze pops are being prepared for shipment to the Middle East. Franciscan Sister Jean O’Connor said she was overwhelmed but not surprised with the outcome of the operation that took place during vacation Bible school in an effort to deliver the freezable treats to the pastor’s hot, dry location. “We wanted to do something the children could relate to and, my word, it really worked,” said the religious education director. “The response showed their love for Father Pete and I know he is going to be proud of them.” “Postage Pennies for Father Pete” was another project to collect pennies to pay for shipping costs to send the ice pops. Sister O’Connor said that within 24 hours of the message getting out that pennies were needed, children with piggybanks and plastic baggies full of coins showed up to vacation Bible school the next day. Even the St. Dominic Media Production Center Father Zalewski works with to host “Catholic in America,” a weekly local cable broadcast, added to the care package. It is producing a DVD with footage of children who participated in the project. The DVD also includes videotaped messages to deployed service members and Father Zalewski. “Not only were the kids excited about sending a video message to Father Zalewski, but so were the parents and volunteers,” said Rowena Trzeciak, production manager. “It shows how much all of the people in the parish miss and love him, and how many lives he has touched.” The love reciprocates over the miles with Father Zalewski’s messages home. “I think of you each day and can still feel you are praying,” said the deployed pastor. “Thank you very much. Please know that the commanders and senior enlisted members here have specifically asked me to pass on their appreciation for the parish and its generosity.” Father Zalewski’s location cannot be published, due to military security restrictions. To offer prayers and support, please contact St. Dominic Parish, 3308 E. 15th St., Panama City, FL 32405 or call 850-785-4574.
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