Welcome to “The Pivotal Pastor” website, dedicated to the collection of information about Fr. Ron Lewinski (1946-2017).  The term “information” is used here in a broad sense, meant to encompass a variety of experiences and perspectives of Fr. Ron’s life, particularly as pastor. He was pastor at St. Mary of the Annunciation in Fremont Center (Mundelein) IL from 1996 to 2014.

One very tangible achievement during Fr. Ron’s service at St. Mary was the construction of new worship and administration space. Under his leadership, scores of people from within and outside the parish undertook a project that began in 1996 to expand parish facilities. During the next six years, the parish underwent a name change and a transformation on a scale that is noteworthy among Catholic parishes.

The effort involved land acquisition; facility planning and design; construction and decoration of a church, administration center, meeting spaces and a new rectory. Over a ten million dollar project, it was a significant undertaking for a “small country parish”.  Fr. Ron’s influence was continually present. Successful completion of the project culminated with the dedication of the new church in 2002 and gave testimony to his often-expressed belief that “With God, nothing is impossible”.

The project had as its slogan “Grateful for the Past, Committed to the Future”. A few simple words that curtly communicated the attitude of those involved in the project, especially Fr. Ron and the project’s leadership. The work reflected respect for the parish’s founding families who had pioneered this faith community. Simultaneously, there existed abundant hope for what the effort would mean to future generations. From this perspective, the slogan symbolized a bridge between past and future decades of the parish.

Yet, the slogan was also an emotional reality that was personally experienced on a day-by-day, week-by-week, and month-by-month basis. The Project Timeline on this website gives insight into the ongoing challenges, achievements, and celebrations experienced by participants. These included not only parishioners, but also outside contractors, diocesan officials, and members of the local municipalities. For these people, achieving significant milestones became something in the past about which to be grateful, while they remained committed to the tasks still awaiting in the future.

Afterwards, Fr. Lewinski continued as pastor for another twelve years and experienced further achievements. He helped establish, and became President of, a new middle school named Frassati Catholic Academy in nearby Wauconda. He influenced a Chicago Archdiocesan program of transformation that eventually touched over 200 parishes.  (See the Life of Service page for a summary of Fr. Ron’s work.)  The project to expand St. Mary’s from a small country parish into a faith community meeting the needs of a growing congregation is the focus of this website.

Referring to Fr. Ron as “The Pivotal Pastor” is not intended to suggest that he was the only pivotal pastor that St. Mary of the Annunciation has had. Neither does it imply that pastors in other parishes have not been pivotal in their individual situations. But for purposes of this website, and as an historical fact, Fr. Ron Lewinski was “The Pivotal Pastor” during the expansion at St. Mary’s.

With the hope of helping you recall information about the project — and about Fr. Ron in particular –this  Timeline of Project Milestones is offered for your review.

The Story of Fr. Ron and the project to expand St. Mary’s parish is now in book form.  See  The Pivotal Pastor for more information.

Remembrances of Fr. Ron Lewinski are also now in book form.  See Remembering Ron Lewinski.