The Cathedral Parish of St. Raymond Nonnatus 1917-1992
Written by Robert R. Morris

Part 15: To the Present (1992)
In 1985, Father Roger L. Kaffer, a long time associate at the Cathedral, was appointed fourth pastor and third rector by Bishop Imesch. Father Kaffer had received his First Holy Communion at St. Raymond's from Father Scanlan; he had been counseled and sent to the seminary by Monsignor Hoover, who preached at his first mass.

But his stay was an unexpectedly short one. One April 30, 1985, Pope John Paul II appointed Father Kaffer as an auxiliary bishop to serve with Bishop Imesch in the diocese.

Replacing Bishop Kaffer was Father Stanley Orlikiewicz, whose pastoral duties continue today in the parish 75th Jubilee Year (1992).

Father Orlikiewicz attended Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and School on South Nonore Street in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Father Orlikiewicz attended the influential St. Mary's High School in Orhard Lake, Michigan, and continued his studies for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ordained in St. Raymond's Cathedral in 1953 by Bishop McNamara, Father Orlikiewicz served a number of parishes in the Holiet Diocese.

When he came to the Cathedral parish in November, 1985, he brought openess, warmth, and friendliness to his parishioners, making special efforts to invite people of many different faiths to the cathedral for ecumenical services.

Father Orlikiewicz is involved in the community, serving on the JACOB Executive Board, the Joliet Clergy Association, the St. Joseph Medical Center Board and the Peter Claver Center Board.

Shortly after taking over his office, Father Orlikiewicz conducted a complete inspection of the parish plant. Much to his surprise, he found that the forty-year-old church building was in need of considerable repairs and refurbishings, including replacement of the leaded stained-glass window casings, and a total redecortation and updating of the interior which had grown dark over the years.

In early 1988, Father Orlikiewicz, along with Bishop Imesch, concluded that a major effort to repair the Cathedral was necessary. In his message, Father Orlikiewicz said:

"...large pieces of stone from outside the building were crumbling, posing a threat to passersby...the boiler system was in need of repair, tuckpointing and roof repair were needed and the leading around the stained glass windows was crumbling. Also, in compliance with government regulations, asbestos needed to be removed from the construction."

And now, the parishioners -- and the diocese -- were faced with an incredible repair bill. The tuckpointing, heating and cooling system work, and interior refurbishings and redecorating eventually cost $3,017,942.85

Once again the people of St. Raymond Parish were faced with a challenge. Once again they were faced with a debt.

And once again they responded with pride. The Cathedral Renovation Drive appealed to our people who pledged $1,120,000 and in three years contributed nearly a million dollars.

When the newly refurbished Cathedral of St. Raymond was rededicated in August, 1991, it was once again "second to none" in the words of Father Scanlan, spoken over 7 decades earlier.

The Cathedral Church of St. Raymond Nonnatus celebrates seventy-five years serving the people of Joliet [in 1992].

At the 75th Anniversary Jubilee Dinner, Parish Council President Rita Fabek told the hundred who were present:

"How can...this 75 year old entiry called St. Raymond's cope with the year 2000 and beyond? ...surprisingly, the answer is a simple one: just keep doing what St. Raymond's already done quite well. That is, leadership...by continuing the St. Raymond tradition as a caring, generous, involved community that isn't afraid to take a stand on issues we believe in."

Her remarks conveyed a sense of dignity and value; a sense of self-respect for her parish.

It's defined as pride. And that is how the people of St. Raymond Parish have prospered and flourished for seventy-five years.

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