Obituary for Rev. Louis S. Bilicky
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Reverend Louis S. Bilicky, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and longtime Pastor of the former St. Casimir's Church in Maynard, died peacefully Thursday May 2, 2019 at St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham, MA. He was 96. Fr. Bilicky would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday May 4th.
Fr. Bilicky was born and raised in Salem, MA, the son of the late Vincent and Frances (Lipinski) Bilicky. He is survived by cousins, Sr. Marie Christine, CSSF, Peter Plecinoga and family.
A graduate of St. John the Baptist Parochial School in Salem and St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, he studied for the priesthood at St. John's Seminary in Brighton. Fr. Bilicky was ordained on May 4, 1949 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, the late Richard Cardinal Cushing presiding. Fr. Bilicky's parish assignments include St. Hegwig's in Cambridge, St. Mary's Assumption in Brookline, Holy Trinity in Lowell, St. Michael's in West Lynn, and St. Stephen's in the North End. He served as the Pastor at St. Casmir's Church in Maynard for 30 years until his retirement October 31, 2000. "Fr. Lou," as he was affectionately known, celebrated the first Polish Mass with Dick Pillar's Orchestra from Connecticut at St. Casimir's. Under his leadership, he and his beloved parishioners hosted the famous "Polish Picnics" for many, many years.
Highlights of his life include meeting Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, conversing with him in Polish, and attending Mass celebrated by the Pope in his private chapel. In 1980, 1985 and 1995 he had the special privilege of having the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheehan visit St. Casmir's to conduct Holy Hours and celebrate the Archbishop's 85th birthday in Maynard.
Fr. Bilicky enjoyed planning special devotional events including his yearly nine-day Novena in honor of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus with distribution of the blessed yellow roses, and the nine-day Novena to the Apostle of Divine Mercy, Blessed Faustina Kowalska. One cannot forget Fr. Bilicky's love and devotion to our Blessed Mother. The Our Lady of Fatima International Statue made many visits to St. Casimir's Church, and the month of May was so special for him, seeing the Blessed Mother's statue crowned.
Fr. Lou was a beloved member of the area community. He was the former Chaplain for the Emerson Hospital in Concord, the Massachusetts State Fire Academy, and Maynard Fire Department where attended drills and meetings at the Maynard Fire Station. He was a Father Friar of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus McSweeney Assembly, Father Prior Emeritus of the MA Knights of Columbus Squires, and enjoyed bonding with his brother Knights at bi-monthly dinner meetings at the Maynard Council # 2121. He loved going to dinner, trying and reviewing new area restaurants, and baking Italian pastries at John's Bakery in Framingham. A former Chaplain for the United States Polka Association, he enjoyed playing the accordion, especially at the parish's Polish Picnics, and listening to his beloved Polish polkas via records, tapes, cassettes and CDs. He also liked to peruse through the many catalogues he received, always purchasing the newest gadgets in the book. Following his retirement he was instrumental in assisting with the transition of parishioners to St. Bridget's Parish in Maynard.
In accordance with Fr. Bilicky's wishes, visiting hours are Tuesday May 7th, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in St. Bridget's Church, 1 Percival Street, Maynard. Visitors are welcome to pay their respects and take the time for a prayer or organize the praying of the rosary at any time. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday May 8th at 10:00 A.M. in St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy, 30 St. Peter Street, Salem, with burial following in the family plot in St. Mary's Cemetery, North Street, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rev. Louis S. Bilicky may be made to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02472, also online at catholictv.org. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com
To view photos in full, please select the "Photos and Videos" tab above. Thank you.
Reverend Louis S. Bilicky, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and longtime Pastor of the former St. Casimir's Church in Maynard, died peacefully Thursday May 2, 2019 at St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham, MA. He was 96. Fr. Bilicky would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday May 4th.
Fr. Bilicky was born and raised in Salem, MA, the son of the late Vincent and Frances (Lipinski) Bilicky. He is survived by cousins, Sr. Marie Christine, CSSF, Peter Plecinoga and family.
A graduate of St. John the Baptist Parochial School in Salem and St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, he studied for the priesthood at St. John's Seminary in Brighton. Fr. Bilicky was ordained on May 4, 1949 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, the late Richard Cardinal Cushing presiding. Fr. Bilicky's parish assignments include St. Hegwig's in Cambridge, St. Mary's Assumption in Brookline, Holy Trinity in Lowell, St. Michael's in West Lynn, and St. Stephen's in the North End. He served as the Pastor at St. Casmir's Church in Maynard for 30 years until his retirement October 31, 2000. "Fr. Lou," as he was affectionately known, celebrated the first Polish Mass with Dick Pillar's Orchestra from Connecticut at St. Casimir's. Under his leadership, he and his beloved parishioners hosted the famous "Polish Picnics" for many, many years.
Highlights of his life include meeting Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, conversing with him in Polish, and attending Mass celebrated by the Pope in his private chapel. In 1980, 1985 and 1995 he had the special privilege of having the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheehan visit St. Casmir's to conduct Holy Hours and celebrate the Archbishop's 85th birthday in Maynard.
Fr. Bilicky enjoyed planning special devotional events including his yearly nine-day Novena in honor of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus with distribution of the blessed yellow roses, and the nine-day Novena to the Apostle of Divine Mercy, Blessed Faustina Kowalska. One cannot forget Fr. Bilicky's love and devotion to our Blessed Mother. The Our Lady of Fatima International Statue made many visits to St. Casimir's Church, and the month of May was so special for him, seeing the Blessed Mother's statue crowned.
Fr. Lou was a beloved member of the area community. He was the former Chaplain for the Emerson Hospital in Concord, the Massachusetts State Fire Academy, and Maynard Fire Department where attended drills and meetings at the Maynard Fire Station. He was a Father Friar of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus McSweeney Assembly, Father Prior Emeritus of the MA Knights of Columbus Squires, and enjoyed bonding with his brother Knights at bi-monthly dinner meetings at the Maynard Council # 2121. He loved going to dinner, trying and reviewing new area restaurants, and baking Italian pastries at John's Bakery in Framingham. A former Chaplain for the United States Polka Association, he enjoyed playing the accordion, especially at the parish's Polish Picnics, and listening to his beloved Polish polkas via records, tapes, cassettes and CDs. He also liked to peruse through the many catalogues he received, always purchasing the newest gadgets in the book. Following his retirement he was instrumental in assisting with the transition of parishioners to St. Bridget's Parish in Maynard.
In accordance with Fr. Bilicky's wishes, visiting hours are Tuesday May 7th, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in St. Bridget's Church, 1 Percival Street, Maynard. Visitors are welcome to pay their respects and take the time for a prayer or organize the praying of the rosary at any time. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday May 8th at 10:00 A.M. in St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy, 30 St. Peter Street, Salem, with burial following in the family plot in St. Mary's Cemetery, North Street, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rev. Louis S. Bilicky may be made to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02472, also online at catholictv.org. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com