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Brother Ed is back in Joliet – and here's why

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This former chaplain for first responders is now in remission and living at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church friary in Joliet, a short distance from where he grew up. Arambasich's current ministry is working with young people ages 10 to 40, helping out with religious instruction and planning programs. He will also host a retreat to Starved Rock in Oct. 5. And he's happy to be back in Joliet. (Quincy Fire Department Firefighters Mick Christ (left) and Deon Baker (right) with Brother Ed Armabasich in the middle) (Photo provided)

By DENISE M

This former chaplain for first responders is now in remission and living at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church friary in Joliet, a short distance from where he grew up. Arambasich's current ministry is working with young people ages 10 to 40, helping out with religious instruction and planning programs. He will also host a retreat to Starved Rock in Oct. 5. And he's happy to be back in Joliet. (Quincy Fire Department Firefighters Mick Christ (left) and Deon Baker (right) with Brother Ed Armabasich in the middle) (Photo provided)

JOLIET – Brother Ed Arambasich was just transferred to San Francisco to work with the poor when his kidneys failed. Diagnosis: multiple myeloma. The kidneys recovered and then it was his turn. "They asked me to come back home to the Midwest to be around my family and friends and get better," Arambasich said. (Photo provided)

Born at the old St. Joseph Hospital on Broadway Street, Arambasich said he was raised in Crest Hill and Joliet. He attended the former St. Ann School in Crest Hill for seven years (which was run by Benedictines), finished up at St. John the Baptist School (which was run by Franciscans) and graduated from the former Catholic High School (now Joliet Catholic Academy) in 1969. Arambasich credited the friars with teaching the students "how to be good Christian men." But charity definitely began at home. "My mother and father always told me to care for those in need," Arambasich said. "They never refused anyone help if they needed it. My dad was the type of guy who'd give you the shirt off his back. And my mom always had an extra place at the dinner table." Arambasich worked as an ironworker, dreamed of becoming a Joliet firefighter (like his uncle Bill Telfer Sr.) and eventually answered the call to religious life. (A snapshot of Brother Ed Armabasich's grade school days at the former St. Ann School in Christ Hill. Sister M. Imogene was the teacher. Arambasich is the second boy, first row in the sister's shadow). (Photo provided)

For 20 years – from 1972 to 1992 – Arambasich lived with the monks at St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle. His first profession day of monastic vows was Aug. 11, 1973. "In my 20 years there, I learned a great deal about contemplation and spiritual development," Arambasich said. "I will always give thanks for that." (Standing, from left: Brother Ed Arambasich, Brother Charles Hlava, Abbot Hugh Anderson, Brother Ronald Fliss (deceased), Rev. Tim Navin). Sitting, from left: Brother Columban Trojan, Abbot Thomas and Rev. Maur Dlowey, all deceased) (Photo provided)

While at St. Procopius, Arambasich also served as the assistant dean of students at Benet Academy, a Benedictine co-education, college-preparatory school under the Diocese of Joliet. It was here Arambasich discovered he really liked working with high school youth, whom he said are "very open to the spirit." "They're inquisitive; they have the ability to reason more clearly than grade school kids; and they're willing to take a risk," Arambasich said. "They're what we ought to be, but as we get older, we get stale. They like to experiment with new ideas. They're just full of life." (Photo provided)

In 1992, Arambasich left St. Procopius and joined the Oder of Friars Minor, specifically, the Franciscan Provence of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri. From 1993 to 1995, Arambasich served as chaplain to Joliet firefighters at Station No. 5, where Telfer once worked, he said, bringing his dream full circle. From 1995 to 2001, Arambasich was stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he again served as chaplain, this time to the local firefighters and police officers. After taking a sabbatical year to study applied theology in Berkeley, California, Arambasich served as chaplain to firefighters again, this time in Quincy, Ill, a role he cherished for 13 years. "I love serving those who serve," Arambasich said. "They do an incredible job as first responders. Often they do not get enough credit because they are so humble." In 2001, Arambasich received permission to go to Ground Zero as a critical incident debriefing chaplain after Rev. Mychal Judge was killed, he said. Judge was a Franciscan friar and Catholic chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. His death was the first official recorded death from the attacks that day. "I'd sit with the firemen and try to get them to talk out their feelings, to get them out on the table," Arambasich said. ""One of the gifts of the critical incident debriefing chaplain is that once everybody started talking about what happened in their lives, they realized everyone was going through the same troubles." (Photo provided)

Last year, Arambasich was transferred to San Francisco to work at St. Anthony Foundation where it "serves 4,000 meals a day," in an area that Arambasich called the "United States Calcutta." He worked that assignment for just a few months before becoming sick and coming home. However, Arambasich continues the blog he began in 2013 as a means to connect with family and friends across the country and share bits of spiritual wisdom, and the community is welcome to connect with him there. In his July 25 entry, Arambasich shared a reflection. (From left: Tom Arambasich, Brother Ed Armabasich, Uncle Richard Arambasich, Aunt Julie Arambasich, Lori Arambasich Wrobel, Pam Arambasich Walker) (Photo provided)

"When we submit to emptiness and silence, we take our hands off the wheel and relinquish control to the Holy Spirit," he wrote. "When we aren’t busy controlling things, it is possible simply to become attentive – discovering our truest selves in the mystery of silence as we learn this special language of God." –––––––––– IF YOU GO WHAT: Starved Rock Retreat WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m . Oct. 5 WHERE: Departs from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory St. Joliet ETC: Cost is $35. Includes motor coach and breakfast at the friary. Does not include lunch at Starved Rock. The tip INFORMATION: For the retreat and other upcoming spiritual day trips, call 217-316-4335. To read Brother Ed Arambasich's blog, visit firemen63.blogspot.com. (Photo provided)