Diocese’s sixth vicar general has long view of history
Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki — pastor of Cathedral of St. Joseph parish in Jefferson City, chaplain of the Missouri House of Representatives, and immediate past vice-chancellor and episcopal vicar of the southern part of the Jefferson City diocese — has been made the sixth vicar general in the diocese’s 62-year history.
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight appointed Msgr. Kurwicki on Feb. 7 to succeed Father Joseph S. Corel, who will now serve as the diocese’s first vicar for prison ministry.
Fr. Corel was vicar general from 2015 until November 2017 and is continuing as diocesan transition coordinator until May 1.
Church law, enumerated in the Code of Canon Law, requires the bishop of each diocese to appoint a vicar general to assist him with administrative tasks and with the governance of the whole diocese.
The vicar general is second in command to the bishop in the diocese, serving administratively and liturgically in the bishop’s place when the bishop is sick or away.
The vicar general has executive authority to carry out all duties and responsibilities of a bishop (Canon 479) but may only exercise that authority in concert with the intentions of the bishop and must inform the bishop of any important actions he has taken on the bishop’s behalf (480).
The vicar general is to have a solid understanding and working knowledge of canon law and theology, and be “recommended by sound doctrine, integrity, prudence and experience in handling matters.” (478)
Bishop McKnight has assigned Msgr. Kurwicki to have specific oversight over the Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA) and resource-development functions of the diocese and Chancery staff, and also over ecumenical and civic relations of the diocese.
“I am looking forward to assisting the bishop and being of service for the good of the whole local Church,” said Msgr. Kurwicki.
Noting that each bishop uses his vicar general to help carry out his vision for the diocese, Msgr. Kurwicki said he is eager to put his experience to work toward that end.
“I bring to the table over 25 years of being a pastor in both small rural and large urban parishes, almost all with Catholic schools,” he said. “I can also call on 11 years of service at the Chancery.”
Parish and diocesan work
Msgr. Kurwicki was ordained to the Sacred Diaconate in 1984 and to the Holy Priesthood in 1985 by Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe (+1969-97, now deceased) in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
He was appointed associate pastor of St. Peter parish in Marshall and Holy Family parish in Sweet Springs, then became associate pastor of St. Peter parish in Jefferson City and instructor of Church history at Helias Catholic High School.
In 1990, he was appointed pastor of St. Michael parish in Kahoka, St. Martha parish in Wayland and Shrine of St. Patrick parish in St. Patrick.
He then served as pastor of St. Bonaventure parish in Marceline and St. Joseph parish at Hurricane Branch for five years; followed by seven years as pastor of St. Joseph parish in Westphalia and St. Anthony parish in Folk.
Bishop John R. Gaydos (+1997-2017, now retired) in 2004 appointed him pastor of Cathedral of St. Joseph parish in Jefferson City, making him the first pastor of the Cathedral parish to have been ordained there.
Under Msgr. Kurwicki’s leadership, the parish has nearly doubled the size of its school building; purchased the former Carmelite Monastery and converted it into a rectory for six priests and a residence for the bishop emeritus; and begun a $1.7 million expansion of the school’s gymnasium and performing arts center.
The school has 480 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
In 2006, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed him a Chaplain to His Holiness, with the title Reverend Monsignor.
He has served two terms as state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and for six years as diocesan chaplain for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which primarily supports the Christian communities and the work of the Church of the Holy Land. He has been a member of the Equestrian Order since 1995.
Near and far
Msgr. Kurwicki served as master of ceremonies for Bishop McAuliffe from 1994-97 and for Bishop Gaydos from 1997-2003. He has visited every church in the diocese except three.
He served for 11 years as priest-secretary to Bishop Gaydos. The position involved working with the bishop on correspondence, scheduling parish visits and other events in the diocese, and researching liturgical and social protocol.
He served as episcopal vicar of the southern portion of the diocese, assisting the bishop and vicar general with administration of the diocese south of Interstate 70, from 2015 until Bishop Gaydos’ retirement.
He was also vice chancellor for the diocese from 1998 until that time.
Msgr. Kurwicki has served on various diocesan advisory boards and councils, including the diocesan presbyteral council, the college of consultors, vocations, ministry to priests and pastoral planning for the diocese.
He also served as diocesan pilgrimage director from 2000 to 2009, leading pilgrimages to Israel, Italy and Ireland, as well as to Marian apparition sites in Mexico City, Lourdes, Fatima, Knock and La Salette.
He most recently led an “In the Footsteps of St. Paul” pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey and plans to lead 33 pilgrims to the Holy Land this November.
From this time and place
Msgr. Kurwicki grew up in Belleville, Illinois, the oldest of four siblings born to Frank and Ernestine (Sherman) Kurwicki. He has numerous nieces and nephews — who he said are “my boss.”
He holds a master of divinity degree and a master of arts degree in Church history from Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis.
He possesses a thorough command of the history of the local Church and the lives of the saints.
He is an avid reader, book-collector, storyteller and purveyor of Catholic trivia and stories of saints and bishops.
Parishioners have lauded his sense of humor and his gift for preaching homilies and administering the sacrament of reconciliation.
Called upon to describe him in one word, three of the six priests who have served as associate pastors with him as pastor offered: “frank,” “fair” and “formidable.”
Preceding him as vicar general were: Fr. Corel and Monsignor Gregory L. Higley under Bishop Gaydos; Monsignor Michael J. Wilbers under Bishops Gaydos and McAuliffe; the late Monsignor Gerold J. Kaiser under Bishop McAuliffe; and the late Monsignor Joseph A. Vogelweid P.A. under Bishop Joseph M. Marling C.PP.S. (+1956-69).
