O.S.A. Rev. John Molnar

Rev. John Joseph Molnar, O.S.A., age 65, of Lemont, Illinois, formerly of Abbott, passed away May 31, 2006 in Lemont. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Msgr. Frank Miller, Rev. Stephen Nesrsta, and Rev. Jerry Ryan, O.S.A. con-celebrating. Father Molnar was born August 11, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio the son of Joseph M. and Helen (Hromyak) Molnar. He was Baptized September 1, 1940 at St. Augustine Church in Cleveland. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on December 10, 1948 at St. Anastasia Church in Fort Pierce, Florida. He is a 1954 graduate of St. Anastasia Elementary School in Fort Pierce and a 1958 graduate of St. Anastasia High School. Father Molnar was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 4, 1958. He professed simple vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 5, 1959 and solemn vows September 5, 1962. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Tolentine College in Olympia Fields, Illinois in 1963. He then pursued theological studies at Tolentine College from 1963 to 1967. He was ordained a Priest November 21, 1966 and received an M.A. in Liturgy from Notre Dame University in 1967. Father Molnar was assigned in 1967 to Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago, as a Teacher. In 1969 he was transferred to Tolentine College as a Teacher, Sub-Master of Professed and Director of the Pre-Novitiate Program. He taught at St. Rita High School in Chicago from 1971 to 1975. He then was assigned as Assistant Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Kenosha, Wisconsin and served as Prior of the Augustinian community there. He moved to St. Rita Parish in Racine Wisconsin in 1978, and was appointed Pastor there in 1979. He served at Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Parish, St. Louis, Missouri from 1981 to 1983, when he was named Assistant Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan and appointed Prior of the Augustinian community there. In 1986, he was named Augustinian Vicar for Parishes. Father Molnar was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Abbott and the Church of the Nativity, B.V.M. in Penelope, in 1988 and named Prior of the Augustinian community there. He returned to Holy Rosary Parish, Kenosha, in 1994, serving as Pastor and as Prior of the Augustinian community. In 2002, he was named Chaplain of St. Rita High School, Chicago. The following year, 2003, he became a Chaplain at Franciscan Village, Lemont, Illinois. Father Molnar was involved in a serious automobile accident in October, 2004. Shortly after the accident, he suffered a stroke. Following several weeks of hospitalization, he was moved to Mother Theresa Home, Lemont, with the hope that he would regain his health with the aid of therapy provided there. He never did recover, however, and he remained there until his death May 31, 2006. He will be remembered for his boundless energy, and enthusiasm for the liturgy and for liturgical music. He was a dedicated priest and a talented piano and organ player. He composed a song for a friend who had died of cancer and this song was played at his funeral. He loved to play cards and win! His cheerful disposition, his creativity and his interest in helping ordinary people inspired others, contributed to the effectiveness of his pastoral ministry and enlivened the Augustinian communities where he lived. He loved to come back to Abbott and Penelope twice yearly to renew friendships and say Mass at both parishes. He couldn't wait to come back and enjoy the friendships and Czech delicacies in our area. Survivors include his brother, Joseph Molnar of Florida; three sisters, Barbara Merryman, Helen Moody and Irene Ledlow, all of Florida; many other relatives and a host of friends from all of the parishes he has served. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Highway, Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461-1081.