St. Mary of Celle is named after the ancient shrine of Our Lady of Mariazell (literally, "house of Mary"), situated in beautiful mountain country 50 miles southwest of Vienna, Austria.
Mariazell was established by the Benedictines of St. Lambrecht Abbey in 1157, and for centuries, it has been a place of pilgrimage for all who wish to pay homage to the Queen of Heaven. Today, it is the most-visited Marian shrine in central Europe, receiving approximately one million visitors each year.
1909: A small number of Catholic families in South Oak Park (now North Berwyn) request the ministrations of a Catholic priest. Father Procopius Neuzil, O.S.B., organizes St. Mary of Celle and becomes the first pastor.
-The New World, July 17, 1909
-The New World, Nov. 28, 1924
"...memories tend to focus on memorable and unique events of the past. Too often, they ignore the richness of the day-to-day events which constitute the majority of the time being commemorated. The seemingly humdrum and ordinary appear unworthy of recollection. Yet it is precisely those years of quiet, dedicated, and truly worthy service...that represent what is truly special to our parish family. I am particularly moved by the example of Father Bob Mastny whose own self-effacing yet heroic ministry forforty-two years stands as a true testimonial to the simplicity of the Gospel message. And the efforts of so many of our parish family in the variety of service and ministry which enrich our lives is likewise a real witness to their committment to the simple command of Jesus, 'Love one another as I have loved you.'"
1) Rt. Rev. Abbot Procopius Neuzil, O.S.B.
Third Abbot of St. Procopius Abbey
Organizer and 1st Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1909-1910
2) Rev. Anthony Nouza, O.S.B.
2nd Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1910-1915
3) Rev. Alphonse Biskup, O.S.B.
3rd Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1915-1917
4) Rev. Raphael Kubat, O.S.B.
4th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1917-1918
5) & 7) Rev. Vitus Haman, O.S.B
5th and 7th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1918-1923 and 1925-1941
6) Rev. Bernard Haman, O.S.B.
6th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1923-1925
8) Rev. Robert F. Mastny, O.S.B.
8th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1942-1979
9) Rev. M. Cyril Nemecek
9th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1980-1992
10) Rev. Richard J. Prendergast
10th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 1992-2004
11) Rev. W. James Clavey
11th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 2005-2011
12) Rev. William Stenzel
12th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 2011-2014
13) Rev. Hugo Morales
13th Pastor of St. Mary of Celle, 2014-Present