Congratulations to Bishop Cupich on being named Archbishop of Chicago!

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-a ... story.html

Common heritage bonds next archbishop, Chicago's Croatian Catholics

Saturday's announcement that the next archbishop of Chicago is the grandson of Croatian immigrants thrilled some area Catholics with roots in the southeastern European country whose population is dwarfed by that of Illinois.

Blase Cupich, 65, who now serves as bishop in Spokane, Wash., will officially be installed in Chicago on Nov. 18.

"We're such a small country. We are ecstatic any time someone even says, 'We know where you're from,'" said Ankica Pehar, 44, who picked up her first-grade daughter from Saturday school at St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church.

The Bridgeport church is the home parish to about 600 registered families, about half with Croatian roots, said the parish's council president, Jure Kutlesa.

Kutlesa said Cupich's appointment is "a big honor for us," likening the ethnic pride to the Polish community's celebration when Pope John Paul II became pontiff in 1978.

"It's wonderful to have somebody that will be in a leadership position who is of Croatian heritage who can go forth and let folks know that we are a vital and vibrant community, not only here but around the world," said Kutlesa, 49, who picked up his daughter, a sixth-grader, at the Saturday Croatian school, where children learn Croatian language, folklore and history.

An estimated 250,000 Catholics of Croatian descent live in the Chicago area, said Maria Dugandzic Pasic, a board member of the city's Croatian Cultural Center in Rogers Park and author of a book about Croatians in Chicago.

Cupich's appointment did not surprise the Rev. Ivica Majstorovic, of the St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church. He said he expected that Cupich, whom he met years ago, would move to a bigger diocese.

"He has all this energy and this is his third diocese, so he knows what he's doing," said Majstorovic, 39, who said he met Cupich about a decade ago during a Croatian pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.

To have Cupich at the helm of the Chicago diocese, Majstorovic said, should not bring any special treatment toward his Croatian church, rather "it's just a great honor for us."

"We are delighted. We feel we've been rewarded by some good sign of grace from God," he said, joking that he hopes Cupich will be drawn to visit his church often, in part because "all these people know about to make sarma."

The Croatian cabbage roll is one of Cupich's favorite treats, he said at Saturday's Chicago news conference where he was introduced.

But along with the warm greetings come new responsibilities and expectations for the new archbishop, some said.

Paul Maslach, the pastor of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac Croatian Church in Rogers Park, noted that the church faces many problems, like financial matters and rebuilding its reputation in light of many criminal sex abuse charges against Catholic priests.

"Priests need a good leader," said Maslach, who said he met Cupich on two occasions and said he is "very friendly."

"That position is very important," Maslach said, "and I presume they would send a good man."

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/news/30012492-4 ... CA2SvldVu0

Chicago Croatians ‘ecstatic’ about new archbishop Cupich

The Croatian heritage of the next archbishop of Chicago — and his fondness for traditional delicacies such as sarma (cabbage rolls) and povitica (walnut pastry) — brought delight Saturday to the city’s Croatian community.

On the day he was introduced in Chicago, Bishop Blase Cupich told his family’s story with pride, adding that his legacy shapes his views on the need for changes in U.S. immigration policy to increase lawful ways for immigrants to live and work in the country.

Cupich, now bishop of Spokane, Washington, was appointed Saturday to succeed Cardinal Francis George.

Cupich, 65, said his heritage is “100 percent” Croatian, with all four of his Croatian grandparents making their way independently to Omaha, Nebraska, in the early 20th century and finding jobs in the city’s meatpacking houses.

“It makes me sensitive to the aspirations of people always to look for a way to provide their families and children with a better life,” Cupich said. “I had firsthand contact with immigrants in Washington state who worked in the fields and the orchards, When I look at them, I see my heritage and my family.”

The Chicago area is home to more than 250,000 Catholics of Croatian descent, according to Maria Dugandzic-Pasic, author of the book “Croatians of Chicagoland.” At least three Catholic parishes in Chicago hold Mass in the Croatian language.

“The Croatian community is very ecstatic today,” said the Rev. Joe Grbes, head of the Croatian-American Franciscans of North America and a leader in the Croatian community. “After being present in the Chicagoland for more than 175 years, we have a new archbishop of Chicago who is very proud of his Croatian origins.”

Grbes said the community wishes “many years of continued health” to George, who is retiring and has cancer. Grbes said George holds a special spot in the community’s heart.

The Rev. Paul Maslach of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, a Croatian church on the North Side, said he has met Cupich and found him “very down to earth” and someone who will appeal to Catholics of all ethnic backgrounds.

Told that Cupich had mentioned enjoying Croatian food, Maslach suggested the next archbishop attend his church’s annual banquet Nov. 8.

“He can come, and he’ll have lots of sarma,” the priest said.