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St. Scholastica Parish 7800 Janes Avenue Woodridge, IL 60517 |
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Reverend Norbert Raszeja, CR, Pastor |
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The Friday before Palm Sunday 2012 was March 30. For me this day is memorable since it is the first day I spent at the rectory of St. Scholastica Parish in Woodridge, IL. The succeeding days brought many new names and faces into my life and about 700 people bewildered as to how to pronounce my last name [Raszeja = RHA’-shay- ya]. However, all of these people were friendly and welcoming. This might be a good place to tell you something about the new face that entered your lives. I am a native Chicagoan who was born in “Bucktown” which is a unique geographical area on the northwest side of Chicago. My home parish is St. Hedwig Parish where I also attended grammar school which was conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Afterwards I attended Gordon Technical High School. One constant remained: both my home parish and secondary school: Resurrectionists priests and brothers. These men were the religious leaders who were present as the parish priests, as well as the priests and brothers teachers at Gordon Technical HS. The influence of the Resurrectionists played an important part in my life choice. I entered the Resurrectionist novitiate which is a place and time of spiritual preparation in which one discerns the possibility of a vocation to religious life. After pronouncing first vows in September of 1964, I moved to the major seminary of the Resurrectionists in St. Louis, MO, where I studied both philosophy and theology with the Jesuits at St. Louis University. There I completed a B.A. in classical languages and M.A. in systematic theology. I was ordained a priest at St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago on April 8, 1972. Almost immediately I was appointed to serve at the parish of Our Lady of Loretto in Spanish Lake, MO for four years before being appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Brantford Ontario. In January of 1979 I served as pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Panama City, FL until June of 1986. Afterwards I was named pastor in Chicago, but this lasted only slightly more than a year when my then provincial superior died and I was asked to return to Our Lady of Loretto Parish as pastor for the next five years. The next eighteen years were spent in Rome, Italy. For twelve of those years I served as a councilor to the superior general, and in 2005 was elected as superior general for a six year term. After returning to the United States I find myself in Woodridge, IL amid a warm and welcoming parish called St. Scholastica. My immediate goal was to be a good pastor and to continue building upon the many good ministries and programs that have begun and endure to this day.
I am confidant of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. [Philippians 1:6] |
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Deacon Tom Marciani, Permanent Deacon |
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E-mail: tpmarciani@gmail.com |
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I am from New Jersey, but actually was born in New York while my parents were vacationing there. I am of Italian heritage and grew up in a mostly Italian neighborhood in Hackensack, New Jersey. Early in my life, the Capuchin Franciscan priests and brothers at our family’s parish, St. Francis of Assisi, influenced me. St. Francis and the Franciscans have always been special in my life. I attended twelve years of Catholic education. In grade school, Benedictine Sisters taught me and in high school the Sisters of Charity were my teachers. I have a special fondness and gratitude for the religious sisters, brothers and priests from all religious orders that contributed and continue to contribute in a huge capacity to the Church and have been a vital part of Church history. I was ordained a deacon in August of 2007 and served at St. Raphael Church in Naperville for the past nine years. I worked as an engineer in telephone communications for thirty-six years. The next twelve years I had the honor of being a hospice chaplain and retired in December of 2015. My wife, Desiree was born and raised in New York. She was a schoolteacher; worked in corporate America and served as the Associated Director for the Office of Family Ministry for the Diocese of Joliet for fifteen years. While at the diocese she was responsible for the ministries concerning divorce, death, annulments and bereavement. Desiree and I live in Bolingbrook and have been married for 19 years. This is a second marriage for each of us. Between us, we have four children and seven grand children. We both are passionate about the role we as Catholics and followers of Jesus play in promoting social justice for all of humanity. We are grateful to be part of this wonderful community of St. Scholastica and we are looking forward to serving with you. |
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Kurt Meyer, Director of Music |
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E-mail: kmeyer@stscholasticaparish.org |
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Kurt began serving in the role of Director of Music in January of 2020, having previously been the Adult Choir Accompanist and Teen Choir Director since September of 2018. He has been a parishioner of St. Scholastica since childhood, having first joined the music ministry in eighth grade as a clarinetist, and then later joining the Handbell Choir and accompanying the Teen Choir throughout high school, and eventually leading the Instrumental Ensemble as Coordinator. Prior to becoming the Adult Choir Accompanist and Teen Choir Director, Kurt was a regular substitute accompanist at many of the neighboring parishes, subbing for funerals, weddings, choir rehearsals, and regular weekend services. Additionally, Kurt is also an avid music composer and arranger, having multiple pieces of handbell compositions and arrangements in print and published through various publishing houses. |
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Elizabeth Driscoll, Principal |
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Barbara Surges, Director of Religious Education (Grades 1-7) |
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I am delighted to be the new Director of Religious Education here at St. Scholastica. I always seek out solid catechesis for both children and adults that uplifts traditional family life in modern times - and strengthens faith in God, who loves us. Faith and family are the heartbeat of a healthy society. Just a little about me: I grew up in Naperville and raised my family there. I am the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren. I have experience in the business side of parish life, the school and Faith Formation. My background includes a BA in Business/Economics, a MA in Education, and formation through Opus Dei and Fr. John Hardon, S.J.’s catechetical training. You can reach me at (630) 985-9255 x117 or by e-mail at bsurges@stscholasticaparish.org. |
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E-mail: bsurges@stscholasticaparish.org |
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Miss Driscoll has been working in the Diocese of Joliet for over twenty years. She began working for the diocese at Saint Philip the Apostle School in Addison. While at Saint Philip the Apostle, Miss Driscoll taught in many capacities. She taught small group reading and math as well as computers and learning center before moving into the classroom full time. Miss Driscoll taught fourth grade for two years. She then taught first grade for thirteen years. Following that, Miss Driscoll taught third grade for three years. While teaching third grade she was also the assistant principal for two years. Immersing gospel values into education has always been a focus for Miss Driscoll. She has been a leader for social justice programs as well as serving on curriculum committees. Miss Driscoll has also been a facilitator for drama and STEM enrichment as well. Miss Driscoll received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lewis University. |
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Fr. Ed Howe, CR, Parochial Vicar |
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E-mail: EHoweCR@stscholasticaparish.org |
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After attending Our Lady of Victory grammar school and Gordon Tech H.S in Chicago, Fr. Ed Howe entered the Congregation of the Resurrection in 1982, a Catholic religious community of priests and brothers. He professed first vows as a Brother on August 15, 1986 and then completed graduate work in Theology and Social Work. From 1988 to 1991 Bro. Ed was assigned to St. Hedwig Catholic Church, located in the inner-city Chicago neighborhood of Buck Town where he worked with young people, senior citizens and the homeless. During part of this time he served as Executive Director of the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network. In 1989 after a parishioner, on his way to Sunday mass with his family, was hit by a stray bullet from a gang fight, Bro. Ed brought Buck Town residents together to protest an area drug house and gang operation. A grassroots movement called "Drug Free Buck Town" emerged that succeeded in closing down 22 area drug houses over several years. The effort gained local and national media attention. In 1990 the effort received the Chicago Council on Urban Affairs “Community Organization Award” and was chronicled into the film "Takin' Back Buck Town" which received the 1990 International Television Association "Philo" Award. From 1991 to 1992 he was assigned to Weber High School where he served as a counselor, religion teacher, student activities coordinator and soccer coach. From 2003 to 2005, Brother Ed served the Archdiocese of Chicago Department of Communications, Radio & Television Office. His responsibilities included offering technical support for Cardinal Francis George’s press conferences, daily Catholic Community of Faith radio show, programming the Archdiocese Instructional Television service and the television programs Sanctuary (airing on ABC 7) and The Church The Cardinal & You. One of the highlights of this ministry was involvement in the production of a documentary about Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI that aired on ABC 7 in April of 2005. In the year 2005, he was appointed as President and CEO of Gordon Tech HS where he served until 2008. He was invited to deliver an Invocation before Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago City Council members on March 12, 2008. In 2008, after serving the church as a Brother for 22 years, Brother Ed was called through the inspiration of Cardinal Francis George to study for the priesthood. He attended Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis Missouri to complete graduate studies for the priesthood and was ordained as a Deacon on December 19, 2009 and as a Priest on August 14, 2010. After ordination in 2010, Fr. Ed was assigned by Bishop Peter Sartain of the Diocese of Joliet as the Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Morris Illinois where he built a new church and served for the last 10 years. |
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Deacon Rick Feltes, Permanent Deacon |
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E-mail: rfeltes@archchicago.org |
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Hello, I am Rick Feltes. My wife and I recently moved to Woodridge from Oak Lawn, Illinois. Having grown up in Oak Lawn, I graduated from St. Gerald Grammar School (1968) and Brother Rice High School (1972). I earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Elmhurst College (1981). My wife, Annette, and I married in 1976. We raised our two daughters, Laura and Kristen, in Oak Lawn. Laura lives in Grayslake with her husband Aaron and our grandchildren Tommy and Anna. Kristen lives in Woodridge with her husband Haydon and our grandsons Liam and Rhys. I have been a deacon for 28 years, ordained in 1991 for the Archdiocese of Chicago. I have served at St. Linus, St. Catherin of Alexandria, and St. Gerald Parishes, all in Oak Lawn. (This chapter has gone full circle, since it began at St. Gerald!) My employment has included a cumulative 30 years in business, focusing on construction accounting in the early years, and later sales. After a period of some medical issues I left the business arena, recognizing a call from God to become a hospital chaplain. My call was fulfilled when, in 2014, I earned an M.A. in Pastoral Studies form Loyola University, and also became a Board Certified Chaplain the same year. I am now employed by Franciscan Alliance Hospital in Munster, Indiana, and find it to be a true direction God has been leading me for many years. As a deacon, I continue to follow my call to minister to the people of God—the opportunity to serve in that role in your parish community, St. Scholastica, is where God has lead me. I am very grateful for this gift, and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Norb, and all of you, let us continue our journey in prayer and faith at St. Scholastica. |
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Deacon Bob Wallace, Permanent Deacon |
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E-mail: rcwallace6@gmail.com |
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I have been a deacon since 1984 and previously served at St Dominic in Bolingbrook. I am married to Jan and we are parents of four children. And we enjoy our eight grandchildren! We feel welcomed and encouraged by our St Scholastica clergy, staff and parishioners. I attended Marquette University (Milwaukee) for an electrical engineering degree. During my early working years I functioned as a software and test engineer. Mid career, I got an MBA (DePaul Univ) and transitioned to management consulting with a role to assist manufacturing companies improve their management of product data and product development processes. I welcome the opportunity to minister here - at weekend Masses, preaching, celebrating Baptisms - and helping in other areas wherever there is a need. I have done most kinds of parish work during my diaconate years - including RCIA, marriage prep, teaching RE, counseling, Communion Services, planning and assisting at funerals - but in my mid 70s I am looking to slow down somewhat. However, I also recognize that there is a continuing need to assist in a parish setting and bring experience and leadership to parish ministries. (I also help at another parish where my daughter teaches and separately in social service ministries not tied to a parish.) I am looking forward to meeting many more St Scholastica parishioners and to help extend invitations to those who are no longer active - encouraging them to return to active parish life here! |
