The Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, Cleveland, Ohio

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Fr. William Gulas

Father William Gulas, O.F.M. was born in West Hazleton, Pennsylvania on June 17, 1934. He was the middle child of five children who were born to Michael and Helen (Jarosz) Gulas. After completing his education at Transfiguration School in West Hazleton, Father William attended St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary in Sturtevant, Wisconsin from 1949-52. Then it was on to college at St. Francis College in Burlington, Wisconsin from 1953-57, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy. After college, Fr. William attended Christ the King Theological Seminary in West Chicago, Illinois from 1957-1961.

On May 27, 1961, Father William was ordained a priest at St. Raymond Cathedral in Joliet, Illinois. Father's first assignment (1962-1969) was as an editor of the Franciscan Message and as a booklet editor at Franciscan Publishers in Pulaski, Wisconsin. In 1972 Father William earned a Masters degree in Journalism from Marquette University. An important assignment for Father William came when he was named pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Saginaw, Michigan from 1972-1981. Father pioneered a team approach to parish ministry, built a church and renovated an education center.

In 1981, Father William was elected the Provincial Minister of the Assumption Province of the Franciscan Order. It was during his term as Provincial (1981-1990) that the Assumption Province accepted their ministry at St. Stanislaus. Before being named pastor of St. Stanislaus, Father William served in many high-profile assignments for the Franciscans.

Father William was named Pastor of St. Stanislaus in July of 1993. He spearheaded our highly awarded interior church renovation and played a major role in the spiritual development and vibrant life of our parish.

Tragically, Father William was murdered on December 7, 2002 in the rectory. The parish community, together with members of Father William's family, friends Franciscan brothers and church and civil dignitaries celebrated his funeral on December 13, 2002 in St. Stanislaus Church. He was buried at the Assumption B.V.M. Province cemetery in Pulaski, Wisconsin. We, the people of St. Stanislaus Parish, miss him very much.