Monsignor Lawrence Wnuk

Monsignor Lawrence Wnuk

Lawrence Wnuk Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 10, 2006.
WNUK, Monsignor Lawrence (Wawrzyniec), P.A. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Monsignor Lawrence A. Wnuk, on his 98th birthday, on August 6, 2006. Msgr.Wnuk, loyal servant of God and His Church, was born in Witrogoszcz, Poland, on August 6, 1908. The values that he learned from his parents, the love of God and the Country, were visible throughout his life to the end. He graduated from the seminary in Gniezno-Poznan and was ordained in 1933. He worked as assistant in Inowroclaw and Gniezno. His arrest by the German Nazis led him, in 1943, to Auschwitz and Buchenwald. He was liberated from the concentration camp, in 1945, by the American Army. After a short period of recuperation, he began his pastoral work in a camp for displaced people in Germany. In 1947, he was appointed the Head Chaplain in the Werl Prison and also the Chief Chaplain in the British Zone. In 1951, following orders of the Church authorities, Fr. Wnuk emigrated to North America. In Hamtramck he worked in the Polish parish of St.Ladislaus. In 1957, Fr. Wnuk was sent to Chatham, where he organized the new parish of Our Lady of Victory and built the church. In 1961, he was transferred to Holy Trinity Parish in Windsor, where he took a special care of the young generation. In 1965, thanks to the efforts of Fr. Wnuk, the first convent of the Polish Ursuline Sisters was established in Windsor. In 1979, the opening of Polonia Park Project of Polish - Canadian Association took place, with Monsignor Wnuk as their spiritual advisor. In 1983, Msgr. Wnuk retired from his parish duties. In 1985, Pope John Paul II bestowed on him the title of Protonotary Apostolic.In recognition for his achievements, Msgr. Wnuk received the following awards: "Polonia Restituta", from the Polish Government, MEDA Charitable Trust - the Exemplary Citizenship Award for religion, Golden Jubilee Medal - on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Order of the Province of Ontario. Monsignor Wnuk will lie in state at HOLY TRINITY POLISH CHURCH, 1035 Ellis Street W. (at Langlois), on Monday, August 14, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Prayers at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. Bishop Ronald Fabbro C.S.B. will be the main celebrant, along with other Bishops and Clergy in the Diocese. Monsignor will then continue his journey to his final resting place in Pniewy, Poland, where a funeral Mass will be held and burial to follow in the Ursuline Sisters' cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Monsignor Wnuk Mission Fund. Online condolences may be shared at www.windsorchapel.com Arrangements entrusted to the WINDSOR CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME (519) 253-7234 "May God richly reward him. Our thankful prayers follow him." Msgr. Roman Waszkiewicz, Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish. Rev. Slawomir Szwagrzyk, Assistant. Rev. Can. Peter Sanczenko, Pastor Emeritus. Polish Ursuline Sisters

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August 24, 2006

Witold Kierkus posted to the memorial.

August 19, 2006

Canadian Friend(s) in Jesus Christ posted to the memorial.

August 16, 2006

Walter Jankowski posted to the memorial.

20 Entries

Witold Kierkus

August 24, 2006

IN MEMORIAM



It is with deepest sorrow and sadness that we bid farewell to

Msgr. Wawrzyniec Wnuk in the ninety-eigth year of His life,

and the seventy-third year of His priesthood, a life wholly dedicated

to the service of God and His fellow men.

Throughout every day of His long life, He showed a love and concern for humanity, manifesting it in countless acts of charity, advice, support and kindness. His leadership helped everyone who was

close to Him in Windsor's Polish community to overcome the adversities and challenges of life.

We recall that He was the one, who in August of 1972, exactly 34 years ago, extended an unconditional helping hand to our family, a couple with their 10 years old son Paul, and their 2 month old baby Christopher, who had just arrived in Windsor. One half hour later, after His phone call, we were met by Mother Malgorzata and another young Sister and were welcomed as guests at the residency of the Ursuline Sisters. Everything had been prepared for us, as if they knew we were coming all along.

We will always keep the memory of this simple, human, heartfelt and almost parental care, offered by Father Wnuk, and the Sisters, deep in our hearts. In those days of difficult beginnings they helped make this our hometown, in which we were able to rise our family, over many yers to come.



May He rest in peace, and God reward Him with the sweetness of His presence for eternity.



"Wieczne odpoczywanie racz Mu dac Panie.................."



Daniela and Witold Kierkusowie

with Paul and Christopher



LaSalle,Ontario

Canadian Friend(s) in Jesus Christ

August 19, 2006

IN MEMORIAM

Stewardship Prayer for a Lately Deceased Msgr. Lawrence (Wawrzyniec) Wnuk



Almighty and ever-faithful Lord,

gratefully acknowledging Your mercy and humbly admitting our need, we pledge our trust in You and each other.

Filled with desire, we respond to Your call for discipleship by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ.

We profess that the call requires us to be stewards of Your gifts.

As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully, cherish and tend them in a responsible manner, share them in practice and love with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.

We pledge to our ongoing formation as stewards and our responsibility to call others to that same endeavour.

Almighty and ever-faithful God,

it is our fervent hope and prayer

that You who have begun this good work in us will bring it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Walter Jankowski

August 16, 2006

Monsignor Wnuk was a treasured friend and an irreplaceable advisor to our family. He helped my father and mother (Jozef and Julia Jankowski) through the most difficult of times as we emigrated from Paderborn, Germany to the United States.

Like a guardian angel, he was always there to help in solving countless problems of life while he championed adherence to Our Faith.

His love and concern, which manifested itself in countless acts of kindness, will always be fondly remembered and never forgotten.

Monsignor Wnuk was an extrordinary man of God and a citizen of the world.

On behalf of our families (Gac and Jankowski)we ask God to reward Monsignor Wnuk with the sweetness of His Presence for all eternity.

Arleta Zbigniew Sziler

August 15, 2006

Memories about him will live long time after him. We are glad we knew him. What a man!

Teresa Lewicki

August 15, 2006

I would like to express my condolence with a passing of Monsignor Lawrence(Wawrzyniec)Wnuk. He will be missed deeply in Polish Community as a Priest, Mentor, Good Samaritan.HE will never be forgotten by many people , who He came in contact truogh His long, productive life.



May You Rest in PEACE MONSIGNOR LAWRENCE WNUK- wieczne spoczywanie racz Mu dac Panie.



Teresa, Jan, Diane, Robert Lewicki

Janina Cerajewska & family

August 15, 2006

The passing of someone so remarkable is a great loss for all of us.



We remain forever grateful to Msgr. Wnuk for helping us settle in Canada and for his continuous support but foremost sincere friendship throughout the years here, as well as in Poland. We cherish many fond memories of him and remember him in our prayers.



May he rest in peace,

Maria Wojewnik

August 14, 2006

There will always be a place in the heart where our Father and Friend Rev. Monsignor Wnuk lives on. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten.



I’ve known Monsignor Wnuk since summer 1974, when I was introduced to Him while stopping by Polish Ursuline Sister's home at Wislana 2 Street in Warsaw, Poland. I remember His kindness and His generosity very well. At the end of our brief conversation after asking me about my hobbies and areas of interests (I was the high school student at the time) when He was about to leave He took some money from the wallet, gave it to me and said - go my child, get yourself your favourite chocolates. I said "Thank you Father" then took a closer look - and got shocked - it was 1000 Zloty bill - the equivalent of two weeks average national salary!

I didn't know what to say and I didn't want to take it, then Monsignor smiled and said to me: "Jak bija to uciekaj, a jak daja to bierz" ("Run away, if you may get hurt and take it, what is given to you").

Surely, I followed this wise instruction and felt like a millionaire that summer.



Years later, again my brother and I experienced Monsignor's help when getting visitor visas to Canada, despite the martial law in Poland.

On that occasion I wanted to thank again for that unexpected gift, but He seemed not to remember...

Then I realized why - it was most likely just one of the countless acts of His generous nature.



Thank You, Father - for everything.

You will always remain in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Marek Cerajewski

August 14, 2006

With deep sadness we receive the news of His passing.



Msgr. Wnuk's generosity helped us and many others to settle in Canada. He lived a long life full of passion for helping fellow men.



May God receive his soul

Marek, Linda and Nicholas Cerajewski

Andrew and Rebecca Kusmierczyk

August 14, 2006

We are deeply saddened by the passing of a wonderful man, but thankful for the opportunity of having known Him. Our lives, and the lives of those He knew, are forever better because of Msgr. Wnuk.



After a long and incredible life journey spent tending to the flock of humanity that He encountered, may this dear shepherd find His well earned rest.

Barbara & Emanuel Walentynowicz

August 14, 2006

Rev. Msgr. L .A. Wnuk was our good samaritan.

We are especially thankful in the ways he helped us reside permanently in Canada.

Over the years, his letters to us were full of support, and often ended with these words:

“Pamietam o Was w swoich modlitwach I o wzajemnosc blagam”

(I remember you in my prayers and ask this in return)



We prayed for him and continue to pray.

May he rest in Peace.

Elzbieta Gorzelska

August 14, 2006

I was born into the Polish Community almost 28 years ago and was privileged to be baptized by Monsignor (Wawrzyniec) Lawrence Wnuk. I remember as a child always looking forward to seeing "my" priest after mass; to run up and say 'Hello' and to see his kind smile.



My last time with Monsignor Wnuk was a couple months before leaving to Australia. We sat and talked for a good couple of hours about his life and how I should treasure the experience I will have with my studies abroad. Monsignor Wnuk told me that when I come back home I will have to tell him about my experiences and travels but unfortunately I will not have the pleasure of doing so. I do however have fond memories that I will treasure for a lifetime.



My regret is that I will not be there to pray with you all, to say our final good-bye’s but, my prayers, and thoughts are with you all who have had the opportunity of knowing Monsignor Wnuk as a relative, friend and pastor.



Monsignor Wnuk lived a full and good life and touched many people’s hearts and minds with his stories, life experiences and lovely spirit.



Monsignor Wnuk, you will be missed deeply!





You Are Now Where You Where Meant To Be. May You Rest In Peace.



With my deepest condolences,

curling ellsworth

August 13, 2006

I would like to express my deepest sympathy with the passing of Monsignor Wnuk.

I have had the pleasure and privlage to attend several services at Holy Trindy church, with the Monsignor at the head of the Church, and I was introduced to him at one of his many award recipient ceremonies.



After reading the obituary I must say he was truly a phenomental Man.

The Polish Community of Windsor, and the Polish people everywhere have a very good reason to mourn, and yeat a very big reason to be proud to have such a great relious leader and mentor, for gererations to Come.



Curling Ellsworth -member of St Barnabis Anglican Church

Richard & Marta Kusmierczyk

August 13, 2006

With every day of his 98 years of life, 73 years of which were dedicated to the service of God and humanity, Monsignor Lawrence ( Wawrzyniec) Antoni Wnuk was giving testimony to the righteousness of his character, and the unwavering trust in God and his belief in the inalienable right of human beings to dignity. He gave this testimony in the most tragic moments, and in places where God and humanity appeared to be non existent, places which forever burned into the vocabulary of all nations a new, terrifying, and horrible word the concentration camp.

His arrest by the Gestapo - the brutal German Nazis police-in 1943 brought him to the concentration camps of Auschwitz and subsequently Buchenwald.

Auschwitz is the place where millions perished, and at the same time, is the place of the holy sacrifice of Saint Maximillian Kolbe, who voluntarily offered his life to save the life of another prisoner. There, in unimaginable conditions of the destruction of humanity in Auschwitz, survived a trust in the dignity of human beings through the actions of St. Maximillian and many other unknowns among the millions murdered.

Among those who survived, Father Lawrence Wnuk deserves utmost recognition for the highest courage. As a prisoner himself, he kept the spirit alive inside his fellow prisoners, carried ministerial aid to them, and secretly performed Christian ceremonies for them, constantly under the threat of death.



We wish to express our gratitude to Providence, for guiding our family, in 1983 as a political refugees from then the communist Poland, to Canada and to Windsor, where we were blessed with the gift and honour of knowing Monsignor Wnuk, and being in his presence.



Our great Priest and noble spirit, who dedicated his entire life and the many trying experiences that tested his faith to the service of God and his fellow man, was called home to the embrace of our Heavenly Father on the day of his 98th birthday.



Requiescat in pace!



Dobry Jezu a nasz Panie

Daj Mu wieczne spoczywanie

Bolek Dworzak

August 12, 2006

A Prayer for a Lately Deceased Msgr. Lawrence (Wawrzyniec) Wnuk



Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord,

the soul of Thy servant Msgr. Wnuk,

from every bond of sin,

that being raised in the glory of the resurrection,

he may be refreshed among the Saints and Elect.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Irek Kusmierczyk

August 12, 2006

I am writing to express my deepest sympathies to those closest to Monsignor Wnuk and our entire Parish community. In the great void that was left by his departure into the eternal embrace of our Father, we turn to the many gifts that Monsignor Wnuk has surrounded us with through his life's work and we thank the Lord for sharing with us the life of this Good Shephard. We wish him the peace and rest he deserves, and pray that he continues to watch over us.

RICHARD ANTHONY PIET

August 10, 2006

.

To the family, friends and faithful followers of Monsignor Lawrence "Wawrzyniec" Wnuk,



my sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to all of you.

.

I pray that God will give you and your families the strength and guidance to help you through these difficult times.

.

My Dad, Franek Pietrzkiewicz of London who still lives on at the age of 93 in his own home on Maitland Street in London, near Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Parish always talked of his lifelong friendship and adventures with Monsignor Wnuk and how he was an inspiration to Polish people from a very early age.

.

My prayers are with all of you at this time of your loss.

.

Monsignor Wnuk, prepare a place for us as we are not that far behind you in leaving this earthly life.

.

Bill Roach

August 10, 2006

What a wonderful man. I grew up on Langlois and although never attended Holy Trinity, it was such a joy to seem him in our neighborhood. Always smiling and enjoying seeing the local kids playing games in the church lot. May God bless you, Father.

Gary & Danuta Brown

August 10, 2006

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Ted & Teresa Jankowski

August 10, 2006

PRAYER for the late Msgr. Lawrence (Wawrzyniec) Wnuk



Lord, Blessed are those who seek your face. The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for He has founded it on the seas and established it on the river.

" Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false." (Psalm 24)

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

O God of mercy, who dwellest in heaven, grant undiluted tranquility before Thy divine presence, in the exalted heights, reserved for the good and pure whose light shines as the brightness of heaven; grant it to the soul of the late Msgr. Lawrence (Wawrzyniec) Wnuk who has departed his life and in whose memory prayer is offered.

O Father of Mercy, shelter him under the shadow of Thy Wings, and may his soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life. God is his lot.

May He rest in peace in his resting place. May God richly reward him.

Our thankful prayers follow him and let us say Amen



Our Deepest Sympathy to the late Msgr. Lawrence (Wawrzyniec) Wnuk family, parishioners at Holy Trinity R.C. Church



Ted and Teresa Jankowski and our family



PS. Prayer is the most powerful weapon a Christian has. Prayer makes us effective. Prayer makes us happy. Prayer gives us all the strength that we need to fulfill God's commands. Yes, indeed, your whole life can and should be prayer, therefore we pray for the late Msgr. Lawrence (Wawrzyniec) Wnuk and for his spiritual (R.C.C.) & biological family.

Chris Redko

August 10, 2006

May He Rest in Peace!

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August 24, 2006

Witold Kierkus posted to the memorial.

August 19, 2006

Canadian Friend(s) in Jesus Christ posted to the memorial.

August 16, 2006

Walter Jankowski posted to the memorial.