News-Info-Alerts

Re: Priest-POW Nominated for Sainthood

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: March 31, 2002

"Historic church renovated in time for Easter
The Associated Press

Pilsen — After months of renovation, a historic church in the home parish of a man being pushed for sainthood will reopen in time for Easter Sunday services.

St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen, home parish of Emil Kapaun, whose canonization case is gaining momentum, will have services at 10:30 a.m. today.

"It'll be a lot like driving a new car," said the Rev. Steve Gronert, pastor of Holy Family Parish, which includes Pilsen.

The renovation brought a new altar, lectern and carpeting, as well as fresh paint, statues and stations of the cross. Handicap accessibility will be added later, Gronert said, in time for a formal dedication.

"Everything looks so different and so beautiful," Gronert said. "It's just so nice. It was a beautiful church before, but it's a lot more beautiful now."

Pilsen's church is considered "a crown jewel" of the diocese because of its art and architecture. Its stained-glass windows are inscribed in the Czech language of the town's settlers.

The final cost of the renovation could approach $300,000. The diocese approved the work with the intention of preserving the church in anticipation of crowds of pilgrims expected to converge on the tiny Marion County town in honor of Kapaun.

Born on a farm south of Pilsen, Kapaun went into the priesthood and served his native parish before becoming an Army chaplain and serving in World War II and Korea.

Those who knew Kapaun and promote his case for sainthood recount his brave and selfless service on behalf of other soldiers on the front lines and in a prisoner-of-war camp. Kapaun died in a Chinese POW camp in 1951.

A statue commemorating Kapaun was dedicated next to the Pilsen church last June. The farm house where he was born and reared has been moved into town north of the church and sculpture.

Kapaun's possible canonization prompted the Wichita Diocese to spend money on the renovations in this Marion County town, which is so small that U.S. Census figures don't report a population for it.

Marion County's population of 13,000 is half what it was 50 years ago, and those who remain are old.

The county's median age of 40.1 is among the highest in the state.

©Lawrence Journal-World"