Joliet—The loyal parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish in Joliet braved a cold winter day to honor a man who did so much for them. The former convent turned life center was officially renamed Dec; 19 the Father Medard Buvala Life Center in a special prayer service.

Franciscan Father Thomas Shaughnessy shared fond memories of his friend who died last July at the age of 88. "Father Buvala was a very insightful man who enjoyed a good joke," he said. According to the priest, Father Buvala always lived by the rules of the Franciscan order no matter where he was or what he was doing. His friends referred to him as a "super priest," added Father Shaughnessy.

Even in his golden years, Father Buvala managed to visit the homebound and elderly parishioners in local nursing homes to spread the word of God. "It was always his favorite part of his ministry," said Father Shaughnessy. The dedicated super priest also enjoyed being available whenever anyone at St. John the Baptist Parish needed a friendly ear. “Father Buvala was there to listen any time, day or night," he added.

Because of his busy schedule, Father Buvala grabbed every chance he could for a little relaxation. In fact, according to Father Shaughnessy, Father Buvala loved to share his off-hours with his brothers in the priesthood. "Father Buvala loved this local restaurant, called Silver Spoons, and people were always giving him gift certificates to this place. One night he took me out to dinner and used one of those certificates on me. That's just the kind of man he was," he said.

The associate pastor of St. John the Baptist parish, Father Shaughnessy said that Father Buvala would have loved the fact that the former convent was being turned into a life center. "Father Buvala was a great man of prayer, and he considered deep prayer a very soothing experience," he said. Although Father Buvala would have been thrilled with the newly designated center, he might have been a little shocked that it carried his name. "He was a very humble man," said Father Shaughnessy.

Friends and co-workers squeezed into the tiny hallway at the center to share memories of Father Buvala and his years of faithful service. Chris Tamez, an employee at the Joliet parish for 15 years, remembered her boss as a hardworking man with a heart of gold. "He always had time to listen to you, even if he was running off to another appointment," she said. Sometimes, Tamez added, Father Buvala had to be reminded to act his age. "We used to tell him that he worked like a dog," she said.

Other longtime parishioners remembered Father Buvala as a man who enjoyed sharing his ministry with others. Pat Walsh, who has been a member of the parish for 60 years, loved the cleric for his kind heart and gentle manner. “He stayed with my parents and took care of them in their old age and he helped me through the process of laying them to rest," she said.

Worshipers reminisced about experiences with the spirited priest, who was known for his quick wit. In addition to blessing the new sign outside the former convent, Father Shaughnessy also blessed a set of plaques inscribed both in English and Spanish that will hang inside the foyer of the life center.” The plaques carry one of Father Buvala's favorite sayings, something he tried to live by each day,” remarked Father Shaughnessy. The inscription reads: "To look for the best and emphasize it, to keep away from the negative, to uplift more than depress, to put into light rather than darkness."

The dedication grew more significant when attendees realized that Dec. 19 would have been Father Buvala’s 89th birthday. With a rousing cheer, parishioners launched into a hearty chorus of “Happy Birthday.” At the end of the song, a number of parishioners could be seen wiping away a tear or two from their eyes. “He was most likely singing right along with us from heaven,” said Walsh.

Parishioners and those who knew Father Buvala best agreed with Father Shaughnessy about the priest's modesty concerning his good works. "I think he would have been secretly pleased with having the new center named after him, but he would also have been wondering what all the fuss was about," added Walsh.