Iście z Bogiem
Zostańcie z Bogiem

It’s an old informal Polish saying.

When people part from each other the person staying says —Iście z Bogiem— —“ literally —Go with God.— The person leaving replies in return —Zostańcie z Bogiem— —“ literally —Remain with God—

Some of you know that I’ve only been with our parish for a few years. I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know Chet as much as I would have liked.

Because of my lack of more intimate familiarity I will take this time to focus, not so much on my own thoughts, but on the thoughts of our little faith community, a community that did know Chet very well.

Who was Chet? People saw him as hard working, determined, a father and husband, a man of faith, a good and dedicated friend, a member of their group who shared a common purpose with them.

The Church is a funny institution. People see it in many different ways. The PNCC in particular has many unique attributes, key among them, its nature as a community of members democratically united in following Jesus Christ.

Chet was blessed with success in life. With that success he could have joined a lot of clubs and organizations. Look around the Capital Region. The Polish Club (there’s probably at least 5 of them), the Italian Club, any Rod and Gun Club, Country Clubs galore. He could have spent his time, hard work, and charity on numerous causes. But as I noted, Chet was determined, strong willed even.

Chet understood that Church is more than a social club. He understood that church is more than charity. He understood that church is about people united with one purpose —“ the praise and worship of God. Everything he did for and in the church was about that. Chet did what Jesus asked of him. He committed his whole self to building up the Kingdom of God in a community united in that mission.

Now Chet is taking his leave of us. We say, Czeslaw, iście z Bogiem; Chet, go with God. In reply he is saying to all of us zostańcie z Bogiem; remain with God. Jesus is certainly saying,

Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.