Fr. Larry Zurek, OFM
”Parish Ministry has been my blessing.”
Fr. Larry Zurek, reflects on his career as a parish priest, as he prepares to leave his 11 years work in Peoria, Ill serving two inner city parishes, Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's. Fr. Larry has loved and invested himself in pastoral work for more than half of his life, serving five parishes full time and several others with Sacramental Ministry in 30 years as Pastor or Associate Pastor. Associate Pastor, Fr. Luis Aponte-Merced is also leaving after ten years there.
Savoring the sweet memories of being so close to his congregation, Fr. Larry believes two legacies of his tenure are leaving a beautiful church to worship in and a place for people to give their hearts and minds to God. (View photos of the renovation) On his watch he also saw to the major renovation of the parish hall.
"We also have an outreach program, Sophia's Kitchen, in which we give out 400 to 600 sandwiches a day to those who come to the door at St. Joseph's. Children from different parishes make cards that are tucked in with the food. They have bake sales and other fund raisers and various parishes have a yearly collection to underwrite the expenses." The two priests also serve as chaplains and confessors for several religious orders of Sisters. “There is a large group of Franciscan Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Peoria.” He added they treasure the large community and all get together for picnics and such.
Times do change. This summer, both Fr. Larry and Fr. Luis are preparing to turn the helm of their ministry over to diocesan priests. In recent decades, many Catholic schools and churches have closed due to student attrition, change in population centers and budget constraints. But Peoria's current two Franciscan churches are not closing. Fr. Frank Jasper, Provincial Vicar assured the congregation of that when the change was announced last November.
Fr. Larry & Fr. Luis bless school children
Both Fathers Larry and Luis will go to their new ministry together. They will assume responsibility for the Vocational Team which will recruit men for the Franciscan Priesthood and Brotherhood. They will be centered in Cincinnati at the St. Anthony Shrine but will go wherever applicants live for interviews and stay in daily contact with them as they make their life-changing decision.
Father Larry explained, “We are very excited and are looking forward to these new challenges. We look forward to getting our feet wet. Already we have gone to planning meetings and have gone to a Vocational Conference”.
Here Fr. Larry is preparing for his new position in Vocations, the recruiting of new friars.
"My pastoral work has been intense. There hasn't been much time for hobbies and personal interests.” But he can look back with pleasure on one thing. "When my Mother died in 2009, I wanted to honor her by planting a garden at the Friary. One of the parishioners helped me put it together. I am not sure if it will continue to be cared for, like trimming the roses after I leave, but I hope it will.”
Fr. Larry does have latent art abilities. In the early days of his priesthood, he enjoyed using his talent by making religious art – batiks, to be exact. There is always the availability of candle wax to use with the fabric work. It prevents the dye from penetrating the cloth. The products were used for holidays and special occasions. Hopefully there will be some time in his new assignment to pick up where he left off.
