Diocese of Gary

VALPARAISO – Throughout his life, Father Joseph Pawlowski was known as a builder. His longtime parish recently put a name to some of his handiwork.
    
On Oct. 28, student-athletes and their families gathered on the south side of the Saint Paul Catholic Church campus for a soccer scrimmage. Before the competition started on the pitch, parish leaders prayerfully dedicated the manicured grounds as the Father Joseph Pawlowski Fields.
    
“This is a nice tribute that his name is here,” said Jim Pawlowski, who was among the late priest’s three siblings present for the dedication. “He had to make a lot of deals to get this land filled.
    
Pawlowski continued, “When he would come home from the seminary in the summers, he would plant gardens in our backyards. He was always building things, including with (the late) Monsignor Richard Zollinger, who had a cabin on the Kankakee River, on which they built a second level.”
    
Father Pawlowski served as St. Paul’s pastor from 1998 through his retirement in 2018. Until his name was revealed on the scoreboard on the mild fall evening, he had not been formally recognized in signage.
    
Father Nathaniel Edquist, who arrived as pastor of the Valparaiso church in July, said the honorific naming was overdue. “There’s something to be said about how much of an influence (Father Pawlowski) had on people here; people still miss him. This is a fitting way to honor him.” 
    
As a newly ordained priest, Father Edquist recalled how his priestly service overlapped with Father Pawlowski’s last months of his pastorate. The young clergyman would visit St. Paul to preside at Masses ministering to Spanish-speaking faithful.
    
“I learned from him the importance of being able to empower people and to delegate,” Father Edquist explained.
    
St. Paul parishioner Phil Page, who helped coordinate the field naming, welcomed Panthers soccer families, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce officials and the day’s competitors – the club soccer team from Notre Dame of Michigan City. 
    
Page called “Father Joe” a “man who can get things done … a man who loved his flock and loved Jesus.”
    
The approximate 10-acre site with its lush green grass was converted from an uneven parcel of poorly drained land. Over the years, the parish plan for the 40-acre campus was to make the resources and spaces usable.
    
During his pastorate, Father Pawlowski launched capital campaigns to move the school from central Valparaiso and build the present campus. Other building projects included the construction of the St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center and new rectory. 
    
Father Edquist, standing near St. Paul associate pastor Father William O’Donnell, read from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians and, after a brief prayer, he blessed the grounds with holy water whisked on the grass and into the gathered crowd. A ribbon cutting with giant scissors signaled the start of a new chapter in Panthers sports.
    
“God approves of recreation for the relaxation of the mind and exercise of the body. Care of our bodies fosters mental well-being and we more readily foster friendly and affable relations with other people,” the Valparaiso pastor read.
    
The evening’s two-half scrimmage carried into the dusk. The St. Paul fifth- and sixth-grade soccer team, which had recently advanced into the second round of the Catholic Youth Organization soccer tournament, hosted the one-off Irish squad. 
    
Perhaps a home field advantage helped the Panthers net five unanswered points to start behind four goals from the speedy striker Camden Rocha. 
    
Panther parent Becky Bradley, whose daughter Evan Bradley plays for the St. Paul team, said the offering of sports for the young students benefits them in many ways and is a fitting legacy for a visionary pastor.
    
“This is really great that they were able to put all the effort in to make this better – our fields are looking really good this season,” said Bradley. “We were able to get a new scoreboard … it’s really great for the kids to have this space to play.” 
    
The Irish fought back in the second half, coming within one goal of Panthers as time expired, giving the home team an 8-7 victory. 
    
Prior to the contest, fifth-grader Rocha said he had a routine to prepare for each game, “I usually stretch a little bit, and juggle and shoot.”
    
Though he never met Father Pawlowski, Rocha said that he “liked how he built this.” 
    
The appreciation for a great builder and visionary extended to the visitors from Michigan City, which was the late pastor’s hometown. Forward Harry Smith notched four goals to lead his team, keeping positive, “knowing that anything could happen, that we could come back.”
    
“It’s kind of amazing that (Father Pawlowski) helped build and really help establish this whole amazing complex,” the 12-year-old said, scanning the St. Paul campus.

Caption: St. Paul pastor Father Nathaniel Edquist (center) cuts a ceremonial ribbon as student-athletes and others gather for the dedication of the Father Joseph Pawlowski Fields on the campus of the Valparaiso parish on Oct. 27. A 10-acre grassy area with manicured soccer fields was named to honor the late former pastor who served at the Home of the Panthers from 1998-2018. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)