We pause to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate the National United Choirs (NUC) Music Scholarship Recipients for 2009 in our parish. The announcement of these conferrals was made during the Music Workshop program in July.

Both Claudia Bertasso and Hannah Bilinski received scholarships this year in the same category. These were endowed scholarships given in memory of Åš.P. Bishop Francis Bonczak, who was a fierce supporter of the Choirs in a time past.

CONGRATULATIONS, Claudia and Hannah, for this honor begin bestowed upon you, and may our gracious Lord continue to enhance and bless the gift He has given to you.

A note about Åš.P. Bishop Francis Bonczak:

He was born December 1, 1881. Ordained to the Holy Priesthood on December 30, 1903. Consecrated Bishop on August 17, 1924. Entered into Eternal Rest September 21, 1967.

Fr. Bonczak organized Holy Name of Jesus Parish in West Milwaukee, WI in 1914. The Parish’s first church building was completed in 1917. Father Bonczak was succeeded in 1922 by Father Leon Grochowski, but he returned to the church as Bishop in 1930, retiring in 1953.