Monsignor Louis John Wozniak

Monsignor Louis J Wozniak, affectionately called “Father Louis” was born on August 25, 1926 in Brenham, Texas. He was the Eldest of Ignac (Ike) and Frances Wasilewski Wozniak. Monsignor devoted his life serving the Lord, recently celebrating his 70th anniversary as an ordained priest.

As a young boy, Louis Wozniak attended St. Mary’s Parochial School in Brenham. It was there that he showed an interest in the Priesthood. He received a scholarship from Monsignor Charles Weisnerowski, Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Brenham to attend St. Edward’s Academy in Austin, Texas. He graduated from St. Edward’s as salutatorian of his class in May of 1944. In the fall of 1944, he enrolled and was accepted to St. Mary’s Seminary in LaPorte, Texas. This Seminary later relocated to Houston. Louis began his studies and formation for the Galveston Diocese but when the new Austin Diocese was formed, he transferred there since his hometown of Brenham was within the boundaries of the new Diocese.

Bishop Louis J. Reicher, the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Austin, ordained Monsignor Louis a priest in his home parish in Brenham on May 26, 1951. He was ordained at the same time as his classmate Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz. Both men we classmates from grade one in Brenham and later roomed together at both St. Edward’s and St. Mary’s.

Father Louis’ first priestly assignment was as an Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Bremond, Texas. He remained there from mid-June 1951 through October 1960 under the guidance of two Pastors’: Fr. S.L. Kmiecik and Father J.P. Witucki. During his tenure in Bremond, he became actively involved with the youth both at the parish elementary school and through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) which primarily served teens.

In October 1960, Father Louis was assigned to his first pastorate position at Sacred Heart Church (later changed to Church of the Ascension) in Bastrop, Texas. It was a small parish with parishioners of mixed Anglo and Hispanic American backgrounds. His ministry at Ascension became very dear to his heart, especially the CYO. Besides his activities with the local CYO, Father Louis was named CYO District Moderator for several Central Texas Counties. In June 1967 however, he was called back to Bremond, this time as Pastor.

Upon his return to Bremond’s St. Mary’s Parish, Fr. Louis immediately immersed himself with several challenges. His first challenge was to solve a financial situation that had developed. Secondly, it was discovered that St. Mary’s stately old gothic church had developed structural problems. After much prayer, careful consideration, and a lot of mixed emotions it was finally determined that the old sanctuary had to come down and a new contemporary church constructed. The new church was completed and dedicated in 1971. During Fr. Louis’ tenure in Bremond, he continued to serve as CYO Moderator for the Diocese of Austin.

In June of 1973, Bishop Vincent Harris appointed Fr. Louis pastor of St. Louis Church in Austin. St Louis parish was located in a fast-growing suburban area. He held his position there for 16 years. During his time at St. Louis, many ministries were developed, others expanded. New facilities were built to meet the growing needs of the parish including an activity center, a gymnasium, and a reconversion of the original church into a religious education center. In 1980 at the request of Bishop Harris, Pope John Paul II gave father Wozniak the title “Monsignor”. That same year, Bishop Harris appointed Monsignor Louis as moderator for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) a position that he held for some 25 years.

In June of 1989, Bishop John McCarthy appointed Msgr. Wozniak pastor of St. Helen Church in Georgetown, Texas. He served the parish for 10 years before retiring. Once again, Monsignor witnessed a boom in population necessitating an expansion of the parish facilities. The expansion he oversaw at St. Helen included the parish hall kitchen, the religious education center and a new administration building. Spiritual ministries also expanded. One of Monsignor Louis’ favorite projects at St. Helen was landscaping the parish grounds. He planted many fruit and nut trees. In Georgetown he especially enjoyed his association with the Ministerial Alliance.

Monsignor Louis loved to dove hunt. He also enjoyed an occasional round of golf. Throughout his life he had the opportunity to travel the world, experiencing different cultures and setting foot on 6 continents and in 50 states. He especially loved his home state of Texas from Big Bend National Park in West Texas, to the piney woods in East Texas, but most especially, he enjoys the beauty of the hill country. Of all the places Monsignor has traveled to, the most treasured spot in the world for him was the Holy Land.

After 48 years of active pastoral service in the Diocese of Austin, Monsignor Wozniak retired from active administrative work to devote his time to the sacramental ministries for the Austin Diocese. He resided in Georgetown.

Monsignor Louis was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister Jan Wozniak Hennigar and brother Arthur L. Wozniak.

Those left to cherish his memory include his brothers Ignatius (Ike) and wife Camilla Wozniak, Charles and wife Linda Wozniak, sisters Mary and husband Emil Richter, Emily and husband Eugene Pawlak, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as fond friends and former parishioners.

A Vigil and Rosary will be held at St. Helen Catholic Church on Monday, June 14, 2021 from 6-8 pm. The funeral mass will take place the following morning beginning at 10 am, also at St. Helen Catholic Church. Burial will be at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery in Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Monsignor Louis’ memory to the Clerical Endowment Fund of Austin, PO Box 276, West, Texas, 76691.