Ceremony honors Emil Kapaun at Pilsen
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
The Roman Catholic community at Pilsen and Tampa had reason to celebrate the lives of two special people during the past week.
On May 27, their longtime beloved leader, Monsignor Arthur Tonne, was laid to rest. On Sunday, St. John Nepomucene Church celebrated its first ever Father Emil Kapaun Celebration Day in honor of deceased local priest Emil Kapaun.
Chaplain Kapaun died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War, but not until he had risked his life to preserve the lives of many fellow soldiers.
In a grand display of ceremony and worship, at least 70 people of all ages led a Living Rosary recited on the church grounds between the grotto and Chaplain Kapaun's statue. It was preceded by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Don Vinduska.
Participating in the rosary were members of Pilsen and Tampa Knights of Columbus, St. Anne's Altar Society, children of the Parish School of Religion, Catholic Workmen, and the Catholic Youth Organization.
They were led by Father Steven Gronert, pastor of Holy Family Parish of Marion County; Ed Davies, Grand Knight from the Pilsen Council; Tom Leihy, Grand Knight from the Tampa Council; Leona Loney, president of St. Anne's Altar Society; Denice Bina and Mary Jirak, site directors for Pilsen and Tampa Parish School of Religion. Brian Bina, president of CYO, led in closing prayers.
Alex Stuchlik on the accordion, Jerry Vinduska on the trumpet, and Gary Stuchlik on the tuba led the procession to the church for a special Holy Mass in Kapaun's honor. They also provided music for the Mass accompanied by organist Charlene Svitak and the church choir.
A group of Fourth Degree Grand Knights of Columbus from around the state, in colorful robes and white-plumed hats, led the celebrants into the church. They lined the aisle facing each other as participants in the service proceeded to the platform.
Preceding all were flag bearers John Vinduska and Simon Makovec.
The church was full of people as Celebrant Father John Hotze of the Wichita Diosese directed the service. He is leading the effort to designate Father Kapaun as a saint. Native Pilsen sons Father Paul Oborny and Father Richard Stuchlik, as well as Father Gronert assisted.
Servers were Derek Stuchlik, Tyler Klenda, Brian Bina, Derek Belton, and Mitchell Neuwirth.
The Rev. Tom Loney, a Pilsen native who resides in Oklahoma, read Scripture and Jeff Bina gave the psalmist's response.
The original attendants of Father Kapaun's first Holy Mass presented symbolic gifts. They were Robert Navrat, Eugene Vinduska, Frank Stika, Delores (Bezdek) Stroda, and Margie (Vinduska) Stroda. Patsy (Meysing) Waner presented in Marion Navrat's stead.
Emil's brother, Eugene Kapaun, and several other men presented the wine and bread.
At the close of communion, Steven Jirak of Assaria played a meditation on his steel guitar and Jeff Bina sang, "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Reminiscences
After the service, several people related personal experiences with Emil Kapaun.
Don Slagel, a fellow prisoner of war, talked about the miserable conditions of prison camp. He said Chaplain Kapaun, who lived with other officers in separate quarters, often brought food and fuel to the POWs. The man broke down and wept as he ended his talk.
Eugene Vinduska remembered the first Mass performed by Emil Kapaun as a parish priest. "It was a happy, proud day with lots of church dignitaries and marching bands," he said. He recalled that Father Kapaun often visited the school and participated in games with the boys. He once bought them a soccer ball, which they enjoyed very much.
Vinduska said Kapaun was comfortable with young adults and catered to the elderly, many of whom could not speak English. He studied the Czech language so he could understand their confessions.
"He was a good man," Vinduska concluded.
Martin Klenda recalled ice skating with Kapaun and other times together while growing up.
Robert Navrat's clearest recollection of Emil Kapaun was when he was at their home one Sunday. The young man sat on a stool and operated the player piano while Bob and his brothers Leonard and Marion sat on either side of him to enjoy the music. Navrat said it was an unforgettable experience.
Amelia Vinduska described Kapaun as a handyman who was "always busy doing something." Vernie Konecny also shared.
Bernard Meysing related an incident 65 years ago when he and Emil were scooping oats off a trailer into a grain bin. He said he was sweaty and dirty and was having a hard time keeping up with Emil. The only thing that kept him going, he said, was thinking of the oats as gold. On the other hand, Emil said he was thinking of how his mother and father would use the oats, bucketful by bucketful, to feed the chickens and animals so the family would have good food to eat.
Paul Meysing ended the testimonials with a tribute to Monsignor Tonne, who wrote a book about Father Kapaun.
Two communications were read from acquaintances who weren't able to attend, including one from Robert Miller, the soldier who is depicted in the statue with Father Kapaun. They talked about what the chaplain did in the POW camp to keep the prisoners going. That camp, Camp #5, had a high rate of survival compared to other camps and the men credited the chaplain's efforts.
The day ended with a potluck supper in the church dining room.
It was estimated that approximately 600 people attended the celebration.
"It was a great day in memory of a great man," said Terry Klenda. She and Ron Makovec spearheaded the day's events.
"I think it was the beginning of something wonderful," said Rosemary Neuwirth.
Another Father Emil Kapaun Celebration will be held next June.
