Guido & Co.

Fr. Ron Lewinski took his work seriously, but he was witty and had a dry sense of humor. He was willing to “play along”, as the homage (above) to Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” shows. (The above image is titled “A-Mary-Can-Gothic” -- there are milk cans on the steps of the old church at St. Mary’s.) While The Pivotal Pastor is a factual story, I have tried to include some lighthearted moments.

One of his favorite stories comes from early in his priesthood. He was counseling a woman engaged to be married. The parish was in a heavily Italian western suburb of Chicago. One day he responded to a knock on the door. The fellow asked, with a strong Italian accent, “Are you Lewinski?” When Lewinski responded, “Yes,” he got punched to the floor with a bloody nose. The man was the lady’s brother, and he (or she) didn’t like whatever Lewinski had advised her during counseling. Lewinski loved to relate that story, complete with an Italian accent.

Another time, Lewinski was late for an appointment and was stopped for speeding. The cop followed the usual routine until Lewinski opened the glove compartment to get his registration. Out rolled a few relatively new joints. Lewinski found himself anxiously trying to explain the situation. (For the beginning and end of this story, you’ll need to refer to the book.)

Lewinski was also playful. He used to “wrestle” with a pre-teen in a friend’s family. Yes, it seems unfair, adult vs. teen. The “boy” went off to college, played football, and was a two-time state weight-lifting champion. He could bench press over 600 pounds—the equivalent of three Lewinskis. Re-match, anyone?

Then there were the annual Appreciation Dinners at the parish. During one, Lewinski was in the spotlight as a contestant during a skit. It was themed after the popular “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” One of his lifelines was a call to himself. Previously recorded sound bites were used for the other “Ron.” He had a conversation with himself.  

At another dinner--clad in a cassock, biretta, and sunglasses--he invoked Msgr. Baccio Guiseppe Galupo (his version of SNL’s “Fr. Guido Sarducci”). The Msgr. was an emissary from Rome who came to advise parishioners about what they could and could not include in their plans for a new campus. One no-no was a drive-through confessional. Ironically, parishes across the country invoked those shortly after COVID struck.

Lewinski worked hard but not at the risk of losing a work/life balance.  

Next time, I’ll have an update about The Pivotal Pastor.

Send me your comments/questions.

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