He is: Franciscan Brother Pascal Kolodziej (pronounced Ko-LO-djay ). Professed solemn vows in 1979. Has ministered primarily as a nurse, but also worked in parishes, done shrine ministry, teaching, and counseling. Today as a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province, he is assistant director for postulants in Chicago and guardian [superior] of their residence at St. Bonaventure Friary on North Kenmore Ave. Youth: “I grew up in Buffalo, New York. I hated those winters. People say ‘you get used to it’ – not me. I’ve lived in Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Indiana and Illinois. They’re all cold in the winter. “My dad worked on the New York Central Railroad in the baggage department. We had very hard working parents. Mom worked nights cleaning offices and in later years worked at the VA Hospital in housekeeping. My grandparents on both sides came from Poland. “I have two brothers – one still lives in Buffalo and my older brother is a priest in our order and lives here. At one time he was my provincial. (I couldn’t wait until that ended!) This is the first time we’ve lived together in 51 years. He’s a big help; it’s been wonderful. “I’m grateful to say I went to all Catholic schools, because I grew up in a Catholic culture. It seemed everyone in the neighborhood went to the Catholic school. We’d be out playing in October and May and as soon as the church bells rang at 6:45 in the evening, we knew we had to get there for the rosary in the fall, and the litany in May. On Saturdays every kid in the neighborhood lined up for confession. “I had wonderful Felician Sisters in grammar school. In junior high we had Christian Brothers, so I had a chance to see what a brother’s vocation was. And then I went to a diocesan high school with fantastic diocesan priests as teachers. They also served in parishes as weekend associates. That was back in the 1960s.” The call: “After high school I entered the Brothers of Mercy for four years. I knew I wanted to be a religious. From early on I was drawn to that and to serve God. I never felt called to priesthood. The Brothers of Mercy were a nursing congregation. Nursing didn’t appeal to me. I wanted to be a religious who swept the floor or worked in the office. I ended up as a nurse’s aide and found I enjoyed working with patients. Then the community sent me to school to become a nurse. “Unfortunately in the ‘70s everything was falling apart. Our little community felt the effects. Amid the confusion I left the Brothers of Mercy. I was already in nursing school, and I finished there, became a nurse and worked for a few years. But that radical call to follow Christ never left. I went back home and worked in a hospital for a few years, and then said ‘I really should try religious life again,’ so in 1975 I entered the Franciscans. “We don’t do any one thing in our order. Our charism is to profess the Gospel, and we practice that in community life and prayer life, and from that flows ministry. Franciscans in the USA have parishes, shrines, retreat houses, outreaches for the poor, a home for runaway kids, two high schools. There’s also a myriad of other things our friars do with peace and justice works, and missions. “We used to be called the Black Franciscans because of our habit. But since Vatican II, our American provinces have gone back to our original color, which is grey. We’re known as the Grey Franciscans now. (We have to wear out our black habits before we get a grey one, of course.) Shrine Ministry: “The Blessed Mother has been involved in my whole life. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be where I am. It’s through her help and guidance I’m here and persevere. While I was working at a school with developmentally delayed children in Buffalo, I felt an inner call to work for Our Lady more directly. So in 1999, I asked to come to the national shrine of St. Maximillian Kolbe in Libertyville. I was able to work directly in promoting the Militia of the Immaculata Movement, founded by St. Maximilian. That’s how I got to the Midwest. From there I was asked to go to our novitiate in Indiana as assistant director for novices for six years. Then I came here with the postulancy program for young men who are starting out. “I’ve done nursing more than anything else. I’ve nursed our friars within the community, and outside the community in hospitals and nursing homes, in home care, hospice, and with multiply handicapped kids. I enjoyed all my ministries. At this point in my life, I think formation is wonderful because I receive so much from these young men and their openness to learn about our life. What a wonderful way to be able to pass down some knowledge about our order, about the love of our community, and of consecrated life.” Discerning today: “Young adults don’t have the Catholic culture I grew up in. Everybody knew priests and religious, now kids grow up without that contact. They have to seek it out. Despite our pagan culture, God still calls people and they still respond. It’s a miracle. The first thing I do when they get here is entrust them to the Blessed Mother. Whatever my poor efforts are, she’ll make up for them.” Leisure: “This is the only Franciscan house in the country where we still have a brother cook. Brother Joe Graff is 81 years old, loves cooking and he’s fantastic. We don’t let him cook on Saturday night. That’s his day off. Usually, Father Michael Zilke, the provincial, cooks. We do things together – celebrate feast days and birthdays -- sometimes we see a movie. I like walking in the neighborhood. We’re near Loyola, and a block from the lake. I’m always reading something. For relaxation lately I read Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Patton.” Favorite Scripture verse: “I have more than one favorite: ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ ‘Behold your mother.’ And ‘I can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens me.’ The brotherhood is such a fulfilling vocation. If I had a chance to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing.”