I try, (if I remember to do so) to make my first pastor's column of each month an acknowledgement of the VIP (Very Important Parishioner) or VIP's (if it's a couple) of that month.  It gives you a chance to know them better and if you wish, to send them a card of thanks.  As this is the fifth weekend of January, I won't anticipate the VIP or VIP's of February, but instead give thanks to God and inform you about a VIP in this parish who had not been selected yet, but I believe would have at some point, and has recently died after a short illness, Bob Kostelecky.  I'm sure I could have found out more information about Bob than I already know from his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Sue Glinka who shared in a joint wedding ligurgy many years ago, as Sue and Kay were biological sisters.  I choose instead to share my own experiences and perceptions of Bob, that I was blessed to experience in the eleven plus years I have known him. 

I knew him the most as a hard-working and very helpful member of the parish finance council in which he used his previous experience and skills for numerous projects that were approved and undertaken to improve and/or renovate aspects of our parish building to keep it in good shape.  His "behind the scenes" efforts and helpful counsel in our meetings about other issues that came before the finance council were very much appreciated by me and the other members of the council.  Bob was a faithful and active Catholic in his weekly participation in Mass and his membership in the Knights of Columbus and Men's Club.  He was an active member of the "Lions" civic group and was on the architectural committee here in the Village.  He was loving and faithful husband to his dear wife Kay (of happy memory) for around 60 years and took very good care of her in her last years of life as her health began to fail.  Bob was quickly described to me by Danny, our plant manager who worked with Bob on numerous projects, when he found out Bob had died, as "as real gentleman, who didn't say a bad word about anyone."  Less than a week before he died, as he prepared to begin chemotherapy for advanced stomach cancer, Bob received the Sacraments of the Sick and Holy Communion with great faith and appreciation to me for bringing those gifts to him and he said without hesitation and without fear, that "I've lived a good life."  There are more than a few of us who would quickly say "Amen" to that without hesitation. 

Since we can't thank Bob like we can our VIP's of the month, I ask you to thank God for Bob Kostelecky in your prayers, pray that his example of faith, faithfulness and service to Jesus and his Gospel will be remembered and continue to inspire those who knew him and his dear wife Kay, and pray for the happy repose of his soul which I know he would appreciate especially given the fact that he chose as the first reading for his Mass of Resurrection 2 Macabees 12:43-36.  I would invite you to come to his Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m. to honor him and to pray for him.