In the Footsteps of a Saint: New Book on John Paul II’s Visit to Wisconsin

This is the story about a man who inspired millions and millions of people around the world and who continues to have a profound impact on society ten years after his death. His sanctity and attractive personality were well known throughout his life, but few people know about a very personal and intimate visit he made in the middle of Wisconsin two years before he was elected pope. It was a visit that greatly impacted all who were present and continues to be an inspiration to the people who live there, but more importantly it was a visit that was never supposed to happen.

The Visit That Was Never Supposed To Happen

In 1975, the United States media outlets were abuzz with the announcement that the next International Eucharistic Congress would be held in Philadelphia. When Dr. Waclaw Soroka, professor of Russian and East European history at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, heard it was going to be in the United States, he immediately sought to discover who would attend from his native Poland. At first, he wasn’t sure who would come, but it was understood that a large delegation of Polish priests and bishops would travel to Philadelphia. Not only would these Poles be present for the conferences in Philadelphia, but it was made clear that they desired to travel to various communities of Polish descent. Dr. Soroka knew what he had to do: he needed to invite Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski to Wisconsin.

On account of Cardinal Wyszynski’s position as Primate of Poland, as well as his unwavering resistance to communism, Dr. Soroka sought to invite him to central Wisconsin to give a talk at a newly established organization called the Annual Lectures on Poland. Dr. Soroka knew “Father” Wyszynski well, as both had been active at the University of Lublin during the Nazi occupation.

Unfortunately, the Primate was not attending the congress in Philadelphia and could not accept the invitation. Cardinal Wyszynski had another idea: invite a close colleague of his, whom he called the “other Polish cardinal” — Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, the young archbishop of Krakow. While Cardinal Wojtyła was not his first choice, Dr. Soroka decided to ask him to be the keynote speaker at the event in central Wisconsin.

He accepted.

Little did anyone know at the time that they would be welcoming a future pope (John Paul II) and a living saint.

continue at Philip Koslowski

And check this out: “In the Footsteps of a Saint” Book Giveaway!

Also Phil is doing a book signing in Stevens Point on April 4th.

I just bought on Kindle.

Group trying to save former Stevens Point convent

The future of a downtown Stevens Point building is unknown.

St. Stephen's Convent at 1401 Clark Street is no longer used by the church, and is falling into disrepair. The church and the Diocese of La Crosse wish to demolish the 59-year-old structure. Several members of the community wish to save it.

After the church decided last fall to demolish the building, they received a letter from the city saying they could not since it is located in a downtown historical preservation zone. At Monday’s City Council meeting, a motion to grant the demolition permit was denied. Several council members, citizens, and Mayor Andrew Halverson agreed they should take 30 days to see if the building can be preserved.

One of the city residents speaking in favor of saving the convent was Mary Ann Laszewski. She quoted a 2011 Historical Survey saying the building’s neo-gothic designs and clad stone easily qualifies it for the National Register of Historic Places. She also says St. Stephens is the last complete catholic campus with a church, school, rectory, and convent and should be preserved. “I find the most egregious insult to this discussion is St. Stephens is stating that the convent holds no significant American history, culture, or heritage. For over 114 years, arriving in 1873, the very eminent sisters of Notre Dame gave us their entire lives to educating the children tuition free and the needs of this parish.”

continue at WSAU

Birnbaum goes onto cite... Constitutional law....  Okaaaaay...

Then from this weekend.

City leaders and Saint Stephen Parish officials are battling over the future of a nearly 60-year-old convent that the church wants to demolish, but history buffs want to save.

The convent was added to the Saint Stephen campus in downtown Stevens Point in 1954 and first was used as a home for nuns. The campus now consists of Saint Stephen Church, the rectory, Saint Stephen Elementary School and the convent. It has served thousands of parishioners from across central Wisconsin over the years, including City Council members Randy Stroik, Mike Wiza and Jerry Moore.

But the convent hasn’t been used as a home for nuns for years, and as its use as a community center and storage space waned, the building gradually slipped into disrepair — so much so that the parish says it can no longer afford to maintain or repair it.

As a result, the structure would need thousands of dollars in repairs before it could be used again — $40,000 to fix the roof alone — and the parish would prefer to raze the structure and devote its land to green space.

Saint Stephen Parish attorney James Birnbaum said the building has been stripped of most of its furnishings, including its stained-glass windows, cabinets and just about anything of value; the water and heat also have been disconnected.

continue at Point Journal

Was the town named after the church?

I found a historical article, but if the church is only 60 years old the photos are all pre this church ..(but check out interior from 1901).

Stevens Point convent is a "Nuclear Free Zone"

Was in Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids yesterday for work. I was able to visit two gorgeous churches that I haven't been to before -- St. Peter in Stevens Point and Sts. Peter & Paul in Wisconsin Rapids. I have awesome pictures, and some great stories, that I will post later this week [did you know there is a St. Guido? Neither did I!].

The above picture is from the Sisters of St. Joseph convent in Stevens Point. Snapped it as I went by. No caption necessary... I have heard the grounds are beautiful, though.