A Brief History of Our Parish

     In 2000 street signs directing traffic to our parish were installed. After serving our parish for eight years, Reverend Wosiak was transferred and Reverend John P. Kowalczyk, Jr. assumed the pastorate. Rev. Kowalczyk began publishing a monthly newsletter entitled The Archangel's Voice. Since June 2000 both Sunday Masses have been celebrated in English. A group of lectors were trained by Rev. Kowalczyk in the fall of 2000. A joint prayer service was held on Ecumenical Sunday, Jan. 21, 2001 at our parish with the St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Roman Catholic Parish. In March 2001 the Contemporary Rite was officially instituted at the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass.

     In July 2001, Rev. Kowalczyk was the subject of a one-and-one-half page feature article in The Times newspaper portraying his role as a little league coach in East Chicago. The St. Cecila Choir, under the direction of Virginia Kulka, caroled at the Munster Med-Inn in July and December. An Upper Room Service was initiated at our parish on March 17, 2002. In 2002 the parish cemetery plots were reviewed and updated for a new map. On the first anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy, a We Remember service was held at our parish. In the fall of 2002 Rev. Kowalczyk initiated a weekly Bible Study class. A Charitable Giving project began in 2003 with a different organization being selected each month.

     In preparation for the 100th Anniversary of our parish, major maintenance projects were conducted in 2002 and 2003. A rededication of our stained glass windows took place on July 20, 2003 and a Homecoming Picnic was held on August 24, 2003. The 100th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving and Banquet was held on September 28, 2003. In September 2004 our parish hosted the Western Diocese SOCL seminar. In April 2005 our parish was honored to be the host of the Fifth National Mission & Evangelism Workshop. In 2006 we started our monthly Fish & Shrimp Fry's. A Dozyiki Dinner and Dance was held on October 21, 2007. In 2007 we sold our East Chicago location and began the relocation to Cedar Lake. We celebrated our last Mass in the old church building on November 18, 2007 and our first Mass in Cedar Lake at Great Oaks Banquets on December 16, 2007.