Myron Lowisz, O.F.M.      
1933-2023
 
John and Caroline (neé Morawa) Lowisz gave birth to their son, John, on October 23, 1933 in Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania and was baptized on November 19, 1933 at St. Hedwig Parish, Brier Hill, PA. 
  
From 1939-1947 John attend Royal Public Grade School and spent his freshman year of high school at Redstone Public High School, Republic, PA. John responded to the call of the Lord and was accepted into St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary High School, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, graduating in 1951.

John requested a letter of recommendation from his pastor, Rev. Michael Kowal, of St. Hedwig Parish, Brier Hill. In that letter, dated July 13, 1951, Rev. Kowal wrote, “In my observation of John Lowisz from Nov. 1942 to July 13, 1951, I find John to have the necessary qualities to enable him to be a worthy candidate for the Great Order of St. Francis.” 

On July 19, 1951, John received a communication from Fr. Theophane Kalinowski, Provincial Minister of the ABVM Province of Franciscans, informing John that he was accepted into the Franciscan Order and should report to Queen of Peace Monastery and Novitiate, Lake Geneva, WI on August 6, 1951.
 
On August 14, 1951, John was invested with the Franciscan habit and was given the name “Myron.” On August 15, 1952, Myron professed simple vows and began college studies at St. Francis College, Burlington, Wisconsin. While in Burlington, Myron professed solemn vows on August 15, 1955. Following his studies at St. Francis College, it was off to Christ the King Seminary, West Chicago, Illinois where he completed his studies for priesthood.  On February 2, 1960, at Christ the King Seminary Chapel, West Chicago, IL. Bishop Stanislaus Bona, Bishop of Green Bay ordained him.
 
Soon after ordination, Rev. Remigius Steczkowski, Provincial Minister and his Definitory officially assigned Myron for further studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Myron’s concentration was on Moral Theology. For the next three years, Myron found himself immersed in the academic life at CUA.  

On May 12, 1965, Myron received a congratulatory letter from Fr. Remigius. He writes, “May I be the first to congratulate you in the name of the Province. We share in your joy! Without a doubt, it must be a wonderful experience to look back on the past three years and know that your efforts were not in vain. You have my imprimi potest for your doctoral dissertation entitled, ‘The Internal Causes of Sin According to St. Bonaventure.’”

Myron taught Moral Theology at Christ the King Seminary, West Chicago, IL from 1965 until the close of the Seminary in 1970. With his academic credentials and his pastoral heart, Myron transitioned to pastoral care, first at St. John Hospital, Winona, MN and finally at St. Anthony Nursing Home, Crown Point, IN.

His pastoral care and dedication, won him a place in the hearts of many residents and family members over the nearly 20 years of service to the people of Northwest Indiana.  

In addition to serving as director of pastoral care, Myron also accepted the call to lead the friar community at Lourdes Friary, Cedar Lake, IN, as guardian from 1999-2002. He was a quiet presence throughout the years he lived there. 

When the interprovincial novitiate moved from Cedar Lake, to Burlington, WI., the Provincial Administration decided to move the friars from the “upper house” to the “lower house.” They brought with them the Lourdes Friary name. Myron along with several other friars bid farewell to one friary and graciously accepted their new home.

While the friary was just down the hill, the journey took much more time to settle in and begin to make it a home.Without any resistance, Myron was willing to transition yet again.  This time to Queen of Peace Friary, Burlington, WI where there was the care he needed.  However, that transition was short-lived. After just a year in Burlington, the care Myron needed required a further move to the Milwaukee Catholic Home, Milwaukee, WI. It was 2016.

For the next 7-years, Myron never stopped offering pastoral care to the residents of the Home as well as the staff. His presence was truly a blessing. However, his failing health even limited that outreach. It was on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 that Sister Death called Myron home. He died at the age of 89, in the 71st year of his religious profession and the 63rd year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace.
     
Birth:           
     October 23, 1933 – Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania 
Parents:        
     John Lowisz & Caroline Morawa 
Baptism:      
     November 19, 1933 – St. Hedwig Church – Brier Hill, PA
Confirmation: 
     October 2, 1947 – St. Hedwig Church – Brier Hill, PA
Education:      Royal Public Grace School – Chestnut Ridge, PA – 1939-1947
Redstone Pubic High School – Republic, PA – 1947-48
St. Bonaventure High School – Sturtevant, WI -1948-1951
St. Francis College – Burlington, WI – 1952-56
Christ the King Seminary – West Chicago, IL – 1956-1960
Catholic University of America – Washington, D.C. – 1965

Investiture:  
     August 14, 1951
Profession:  
     Simple:      August 15, 1952     
Solemn:     August 15, 1955
  
Ordination:        February 2, 1960, West Chicago, IL

Assignments:    1960-61    Libertyville, IL – St. Francis Camp as Ass’t. Director
            1961-62    Philadelphia, PA – Faculty, Bishop Neuman H.S.
            1962-65    Washington, D.C. – Studies at Catholic University
1965-70    West Chicago, IL – Christ the King Seminary Faculty
1970-71    Winona, MN – St. Theresa College Campus Ministry
            1971-72    Huron, SD. – St. John Hospital Pastoral Care 
1972-89    Crown Point, IN – St. Anthony Hospital Pastoral Care
            1989-96    Lemont, IL – Franciscan Village Pastoral Care
1996-2015    Crown Point, IN – St. Anthony Nursing Home 
Pastoral Care
            2015-16    Queen of Peace Friary, Burlington WI – Retired
            2016-23    Milwaukee Catholic Home, Milwaukee, WI - Retired

Visitation Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 302 South 2nd Street Waterford, WI from 10:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.  Interment Provincial Cemetery, Pulaski, Wisconsin.

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