VALPARAISO – “Today is a day of celebrating and a day of joy,” remarked Father Mick Kopil. It was indeed a day of celebration for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton family on July 16.
On a day parishioners commemorated the 41st anniversary of the dedication of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, they also gathered for the annual parish picnic that followed two morning Masses. There was an extra sense of excitement as Bishop Robert J. McClory presided over the Masses with Father Kopil concelebrating.
In addition to celebrating Mass and enjoying fellowship during the picnic, Bishop McClory met with members of the parish council as part of his scheduled parish visitations.
Bishop McClory shared his appreciation for the bishops and priests who have served the parish leading up to their current pastor. He then went on to remind the parishioners that they are the “living stones” who make up the parish, generation after generation.
“That legacy, that next generation or foundation has fallen upon Father Mick who loves you, who looks to the future with a great sense of hope in Christ and who is always looking for ways to improve and enhance,” said Bishop McClory. “As we celebrate today, let’s have a great time. Let’s also remind ourselves that the building continues and that the fruit is needed now more than ever. We pray that the Lord will use us to keep building up these living stones, this edifice, which indeed is the Church centered in Christ.”
“God gave us a beautiful day. Having the bishop with us today is fantastic,” noted Father Kopil, as the warm July sun shone upon the area.
Led by the husband and wife team of Alex and Gretchen Bergstedt, the picnic committee orchestrated another successful picnic.
The Bergstedts have organized the annual picnic for the past four years – four challenging years. The coronavirus pandemic forced the picnic committee to be creative so that the parish could still have a picnic that year. Measures taken were to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distance guidelines, limit the number of people who could attend, and have the food catered with individually wrapped meals, instead of having the traditional potluck meal. Their second year saw fewer COVID-related restrictions and things were almost back to normal last year.
This year, the team wasn’t able to utilize the parish hall for the day’s events. The hall is currently being used as the sanctuary as the church itself is going through renovations. Normally the hall is used for dining and bingo events.
“The picnic team is a well-oiled machine. They come in here and do the things they need to do. We don’t even have to ask, we just kind of direct,” said Gretchen.
Regardless of the picnic being outside, well over 130 people turned out for a day of food, games and fellowship. While a team of grillers prepared the hamburgers and hot dogs, parishioners brought side dishes and desserts.
“I’m happy to see people come to show they are interested in getting together with everybody,” said Gretchen.
Alex pointed out the picnic allows the various generations to share parish memories.
“We see a lot of the parishioners that have been here from the dance hall days before St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was here, reminiscing about old times, and even some of the newer parishioners get to hear those stories.”
Bob Lukas has been one of the seven dedicated grillers for close to ten years.
“It’s a really good time to participate because it’s good for the parish life,” he said. “It’s the camaraderie of these guys. We don’t necessarily get together on a regular basis, but we all know that when the parish picnic is coming, we’re all going to get together and have a good time. That’s what it’s really all about.”
Lukas added that the parish picnic is a great opportunity for parishioners to meet and mingle outside of Mass.
“When you're Catholic, you walk into church and sit in your favorite spot. You see people but really don’t know their name. This is an opportunity to get to know one another,” he said.
The day’s events also provided the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of the parish 41 years ago.
Joan Pszonka recalled the beginning of the parish from its start in a local dance hall to the current site which was once farmland.
“We had a small number of people to start the parish with, and it grew very quickly. It’s the fellowship, the family atmosphere, and good priests like Father Mick who have pulled us together,” she said.
Pszonka, who is active in the parish including serving as a lector, beamed as she spoke about serving with her granddaughter, Caitlyn Pszonka, who cantered and sang in the choir during the morning Mass. Caitlyn shared the same excitement.
“It’s a joy for me too,” she said. “When I get to see my grandma lectoring, it’s like I’m part of this legacy. That’s part of the reason it feels like home.”
As Abby Hollis helped organize the table full of donated bingo prizes for the picnic, she spoke about the remodeling that is near completion.
“The remodeling says we’re continuing to evolve with the times. The church makeover shows how much the community is still thriving here and how it has been thriving for 41 years. I’m happy to see the renovations and the church continuing to evolve,” said the 27-year-old, lifelong parishioner.
Some of the renovations being done include removing the popcorn texture from the walls, painting, recovering all the pews and installing a new sound system. Renovations should be finished in early August.
“We’re in the middle of our church renovation project. Everything is going so well that we should finish on time and on budget,” said Father Kopil. “God has been so good to us as a parish community. He’s given us a beautiful building to worship in and wonderful people. So today we’re celebrating all these gifts. Today is a day to say thanks to the Lord.”