Fr. Jim Kowalski memories

[Matthew67899]

I just received an email that Fr Jim died yesterday. This would be for some of the guys that have been around for a long time (like me) but does anyone have some stories or some things you remember about him? He was our State Father Prior for nearly 20 years starting in 1984.

I remember in Fall of 1993 the State Retreat was held at Fr Jim's parish near Grand Rapids. My good friend John Sommers was the State Chief Squire at the time and many of the state officers always showed up on Friday nights back then for state outings usually to have the state board meeting. I was not very active with state outings as a squire (although I knew just about everyone) and that actually was the first state outing I went to that was not a camp-out! That year I went to every outing and the three of us (Joseph Ureel was with us) got there about 7:00 and it was before anyone else had gotten there that night. Fr Jim let us in with our stuff and told us he needed to head over to Meijer's and he was on the way out. He said we could come along if we wanted or we could stay there.....we ended up driving and he rode with us. :)

I honestly don't remember what he needed to go to Meijer's for but it was neat just riding around town with him talking all the while. He always seemed to relate really well to all of us younger guys and I still remember that.

Also, at the state convention every year, I remember that he was always the one that presented the "Squire of the Year" and "Counselor of the Year" awards. When I won the Counselor of the Year award in 2000, he read the description that my squires had written for me (as he always did) and announced that I had won. As I reached the head table and podium to give a speech and accept the award, he handed it to me, shook my hand and said "It's about time!" with a big smile. I won't soon forget that moment and hope I never do.

He was one of the most influential people in the history of the Michigan State Circle. God Bless him.

[Mustangford]

I saw the Sad News Too! Matt! I like you have many great memories of Fr. Jim. He was a great priest. My favorite Memories of Fr. Coming to Ome to do Mass and then Head back to Grand Rapids. A scary memory was of Fr. Jim passing out during the closing Mass at convention. Plus so many more and how great it was to have him as a State Fr. Prior. Rest in Peace Father Jim you now reap the rewards of a life well lived.

A sad day for all Squires all over the State of Michigan!

Fred
FSSD

[Mustangford]

http://hollandsentinel.com/ystories/022408/obituaries_20080224019.shtml

[JimVote]

I've been numb all day..... the reality probably won't set in until Wednesday... I'm driving up that morning for the services, and can't say I'm looking forward to it.

I have a lot of memories... all good, except that scary one. I was being invested SNS, and the entire board was petrified, but luckily it was only low blood sugar, and Doc was there to help him through it.

He was SFP the entire time I was a squire, especially during my two terms as SCS. He gave a lot of guidance without even trying... He was a fine example for us to follow. I especially remember a heated debate during by-law changes that year about removing a bylaw about confession being offered. I put him on the spot and asked for him to speak to the delegates about his opinion on the matter. He said his piece, and the debate immediately ended, with his opinion winning out. He didn't need to ask for our respect... it was automatic.

When I was closing out my final Convention, I was struggling writing my closing comments. I thought long and hard about what the program meant to me, and what I had learned in my eight years of membership. The first and foremost thing that we emphasize is spirituality. Along with Fr. Cross, they were the perfect yin and yang. Fr. Cross being vocal, Fr. Jim being more quiet. But they truly represented all ends of our Catholicism. It's that example that I try to follow and remember best. Upon this realization, the words began flowing.

I can also join Matt in the award memory. When I won squire of the year, he was right there to present it. In the voting of these awards, it was customary for him to read the reports for us to vote on. He had a style of reading that I will never forget, and gave me chills, each and every time. He would collect the ballots, and only he would know (until the last possible moment) who won each award. There were times we would vote for hours. He never showed partiality, and stayed until the job was done. He knew this role of impartiality well, and I think he carried it with pride. It added a touch of dignity to the award, and really emphasized its importance. His method of delivery is why I place those two awards in such high regard, and why these two are not to be taken lightly.

As a knight, my last memory of Fr. Jim is still good. At Mackinac in 2005, I represented Aquinas as GK, and Fr. Jim was there as a guest. We skipped out after dinner (to ignore the speeches... this is customary for the current boys that will hopefully learn someday.) and sat on the porch and reminisced. We caught up on life, and he told me he would be celebrating mass for the students at AQ starting in the fall. Through this connection, he developed a relationship with my sister, and helped her through some hard times. I think too often we, as counselors, forget that not just Catholic dogma, but also healthy spirituality, needs to be developed with our Squires. His stoic nature gave us this example, and my only hope and prayer is that what we learned from him can somehow be passed on to the Squires of today.

A devoted student, an earnest man, a faithful friend, and a devout Catholic. Rest in Peace, Fr. Jim. You've truly earned your final reward, and you've touched more of us than you will ever realize.