Mary Frangesch
Reverend Joseph Gole
CELEBRATING AND HONORING FATHER JOZE GOLE...
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Slovenian Arts Program presented
Father Joze Gole with the 2008 Slovenian Arts Program Award of Service at a
Special Event on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Triglav Park, Windlake,
Wisconsin. A flame-shaped acrylic memento was presented to Father. A
Mass was concelebrated by Father Cunningham and Father Gole at Triglav Park
outside Chapel prior to the Awards ceremony.
MaryCay Freiberg, President of the UWM Slovenian Arts Council then shared
with the assembled crowd this review of Father Gole‘s life and
accomplishments:
Father Gole was born on September 21, 1916 in Dobernic, Slovenia. He grew
up in the town of Zagorica.
He began his studies for the Priesthood at the Sobornne University in Paris,
France. While there his education was interrupted by the German occupation
in France during the World War II and he completed his studies in
Yugoslavia.
On July 4, 1943 he was ordained a priest. When the war ended, he returned
to Austria to continue his studies. In 1948 the Austrian State University
in Graz awarded him a Doctorate degree and he began teaching International
Law at the University.
In the Fall of 1950 he arrived in the United States and started teaching at
Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners and at Marquette University
Law School in Milwaukee. He taught Philosophy, Metaphysics, Homiletics and
Scripture at the School of Theology. He taught International Law at
Marquette University Law School. He was and is fluent in seven languages.
After 25 years he retired from his teaching responsibilities and was awarded
the rank of Professor Emeritus.
We, the Slovenians in America, thank Father Gole for his continuous,
enthusiastic support of the Slovenian Arts and Culture.
We thank God and you, Father, for sharing “YOU” with us in so many special
ways in the past 65 years as a priest. Thank you for your Christ-like
leadership. Thank you for sharing your keen knowledge, experiences, and
many other talents. We will never forget you. You definitely left
something of yourself with each and everyone you met and continue to meet.
Father, you are truly the epitome of a Slovenian Catholic Priest and
Scholar. Father, we promise to keep you in our prayers and we are
confident God will continue to guide your life’s journey.
In conclusion our wishes for you, Father, are:
May Dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,
possibilities, and promises.
May the Day never burden.
May Evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into night blessed, sheltered, and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you!
Father Gole gratefully accepted the UWM Slovenian Arts Program Award of
Service and spoke to the crowd sharing his thoughts and memories. In
appreciation of Father Gole the USPEH Slovenian Chorus also sang several of
his favorite Slovenian songs.