By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Horath priests faithfully serve in Wisconsin

SUPERIOR--The Horath brothers, Fr. William, Fr. George and Fr. James, are back to work at their parishes after a sunny and relaxing Hawaiian vacation.

Fr. William's parishioners at St. Theresa, Three Lakes, and St. Kunegunda, Sugar Camp, wanted to do something special for their pastor's 70th birthday. After keeping the huge secret for months, they threw Fr. William a surprise party on Nov. 10 and presented him with a generous, all-expenses-paid trip for three to the big island.

"I never had an inkling," Fr. William said. "They sprung it on me at Mass, and it just floored me."

It turned out his brothers were in on the secret too.

They have a tradition of going on vacation each January and have spent numerous vacations at their favorite spot: Kona, which is located on the big island of Hawaii.

Fr. George and Fr. James played along and led Fr. William to believe they would not be going to Hawaii this year; rather they would visit their sister MaryJoan Boyle, 66, and her husband Robert, in Florida. "We made out that visiting at their new condo would be a good vacation," Fr. George said.

At 67, Fr. George has been pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Fennimore (Madison diocese) for the past 28 years. Fr. James, 57, has served for 11 years as pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Merrill.

Though Fr. William and Fr. James live close enough to visit often on their days off, the annual vacation is one of the only times the three get together. Fr. William said this year's trip was especially wonderful because "it was the best weather we've ever had." He added that there was sunshine every day, no clouds and a daytime temperature that never dipped below 80 degrees.

Born and raised in Chicago, the Horaths came to separate decisions to enroll at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, and become priests.

"My mother and father were about as great as they come, and my sister is married and has six kids," Fr. William said. "God was always important to all of us."

Though Fr. William is the oldest, he was the last of the brothers to be ordained. Fr. James calls him "the junior" when it comes to the priesthood.

Fr. William went into the seminary right after he graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He left two year later and went to St. Procopious College (now Benedictine University) in Lisle, Ill., where he studied theology and philosophy. After he graduated, he went into the military and then worked another 10 years before returning to the seminary in 1971.

He admitted that going back meant he would have to make up all the Latin classes he had missed, something he never quite finished. Nevertheless, "Going back was the best decision I ever made," he said.

Since his ordination in 1975, Fr. William had been a pastor in Rice Lake, Solon Springs, Gordon, Minong and Bolder Junction before coming to Three Lakes in 1994. The parish was later clustered with Sugar Camp after the former pastor, Fr. Phillip Stack, died in 1999.

"The people have been really good to me, and I love saying Mass with them," Fr. William said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Fr. George said he received much support in his decision to pursue a vocation to the priesthood. The idea of becoming a priest was constantly on his mind as he was growing up. He said their mother used to invite different priests over for dinner, and that was a big influence on him.

He also graduated from St. Ignatius High School and went into the seminary right away. In 1963, he was the first of his brothers to be ordained. He has only worked at four parishes since then, and the majority of the years he has spent at St. Mary's, a small parish of about 250 families.

He spoke fondly of the Eucharist and the impact it has made on the parish. St. Mary's has an adoration chapel, and parishioners have been participating in perpetual adoration since 1996, he said.

"It's just amazing, and it's brought great graces to the parish," Fr. George said, noting that quite a few teenagers also have scheduled hours of adoration. He's noticed a change in their attitude toward the Eucharist, and said they seem more respectful and reverent towards the Blessed Sacrament.

"I know some priests who are afraid to start adoration because they wonder if they'll be able to keep it going," said Fr. George. After a while, the people really do want to go, he continued. "It becomes pleasing and valuable for them to go away from the world and spend time with Christ."

Fr. James graduated from Brother Rice High School, enrolled at the seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1973.

When asked why he became a priest, Fr. James said he doesn't have a clear answer or a dramatic story about falling off a horse. "I'm not a great poster for vocations," he joked. "It's just something I've always wanted to do."

His joy in the priesthood comes from saying Mass and sharing the Eucharist with St. Francis Xavier parishioners. He also loves working with children and teaching at the school and parish.

Though the Horaths are faithfully serving parishes in Wisconsin, they draw the line when it comes to football. Unlike the vast majority of their parishioners who are loyal to the Green and Gold, the Horath priests root for the Bears.

Fr. James said the rivalry is all in good fun. "It makes winter bearable, otherwise it gets too long," he said.

Fr. George agreed but said the rivalry can be costly if Chicago is doing well. That's because he brings candy for the kids when the Bears win. At $80 to $90 worth of candy per win, Fr. George estimates that the Bears' 2001-2002 winning season set him back about $1,000.

More often in recent years, however, it's a different story. When the Packers play the Bears, Fr. George makes a wager with his parishioners. "If the Bears win, they say an Our Father. If the Packers win, I say 10 rosaries," Fr. George said.

To the delight of St. Mary's parishioners, Fr. George has figured he's said about 170 extra rosaries over the past 10 years.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003