An awkward, quiet kid sat impatiently waiting for something. Directionless and anxiety-ridden, the kid did not know what to do or where to go with life. A charismatic, wise man observed the kid from a distance. He approached the kid and asked, “What are you doing after school?” The kid timidly replied, “Nothing.” “Nothing!” scuffed the man…”Then, come to a prayer group meeting!”
I met Father William “Bill” Krizner during my first year at Holy Name High School in Parma Heights, Ohio. As chaplain of a co-ed, Catholic high school, Fr. Krizner had an incredibly special gift of invitation. On a random school day during my Freshman year, I found myself aimlessly seated in a pew in the school’s chapel. Fr. Krizner approached me and invited me to join a prayer group, and then later participate in the school’s largest an extracurricular club, Campus Ministry. That defining moment of invitation catapulted my spiritual life and established a lifelong friendship with Fr. Krizner.
Earlier this morning, Fr. Krizner’s soul departed his earthly, frail body surrounded by loved ones (including his dogs). He was a man of mystical faith, deep conviction, and earnest fortitude for having a personal connection with our Lord. Enigmatic, brilliant, charismatic, approachable, practical, faithful, genuinely caring, frankly stubborn, personable, kind, humble, humoristic (actually hilarious), creative, infectiously loving, effusively holy…Words cannot simply capture the amazing person that he was, which I know is cliche but true.
First and foremost in his life, Fr. Krizner embodied the priesthood of Jesus Christ and witnessed his love of God through the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. Simply, he was a good, holy man. He was that priest that you could talk to about anything with. From high school through seminary formation through much of my adulthood, I was amazingly blessed to have a friendship with Fr. Krizner and have so many opportunities to witness his teachings. Besides maybe the Pope (being quite literal), he was the holiest man that I have met. To hear him preach, you could understand how the passages from the Scriptures applied to your life today. He had the right words. He had an inspired delivery. He simply had a relatability to understanding ourselves in the scope of God’s love, even when we sin or do not always choose the best path in the life.
Many years after I graduated high school, Fr. Krizner would host weekend retreats for friends and seminarians at his cottage in Pennsylvania. Those life-giving weekends were sacred to me. He had a small chapel on his property and offered daily Masses. Around the same time that I had moved to Washington, D.C., Fr. Krizner was assigned as pastor at St. Colette’s Parish. For years, he jokingly dreaded an ill-fit assignment as a pastor since he was quite content being chaplain at the home of the Green Wave. He inevitably knew that he was going to be a pastor despite his angst (and he truly was a great pastor). He would often reminisce about his first assignment at St. Columkille Parish in the early 1980s before he was assigned to Holy Name.
Fr. Krizner did not fit the mold of a typical diocesan priest, let alone a pastor of a traditional parish. He actually took simple vows to be a Benedictine monk with the religious community name of “Jeff” (this tradition of taking on a different name symbolizes letting go of worldly ways and being a new member of a religious community). Throughout his discernment journey, he realized that he aligned more with a diocesan call to priesthood. Yet, the monastic formation continued to influence his diocesan priesthood and overall self, like his love of sheep dogs (Shadow, Lily, Grace) from the roots of having helped with sheep pastures during his Benedictine novitiate.
For nearly 20 consecutive years, after “Midnight” Christmas Mass, I would spend the late hours of Christmas eve with Fr. Krizner and many other friends. We would have a fun gift exchange, which certainly became more entertaining once everyone matured and enjoyed a few Christmas libations. Fr. Krizner was the easiest person to shop for. He enjoyed small, simple gifts that usually followed a theme of Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. Each of us would vie for the best gift to garner his attention – so many great memories full of life and laughter. After many of these gatherings, he would ask me to stay for a nightcap. While sipping on a cheap whiskey Manhattan, we would relish in the highlights of the evening and then share tidbits of the current issues in each of our personal lives. He mentored me through some difficult moments and on rare occasions would share some of his grievances. Mostly, we would geek out and revel in deep reflections on Star Trek, Star Wars, and especially the Lord of the Rings and piecemealing what J.R.R. Tolkien intended with symbiology, elvish linguistics, and subtle story lines.
Since I had been dealing with my legal issues and with the onset of COVID, I have not seen or talked to Fr. Krizner, mostly because of my perception of his disappointment and the shame that I experienced. I recently drafted him a letter after learning about his failing health, but to my regret, I hadn’t sent it…He just celebrated his 74th birthday a few weeks ago, which was shortly after learning around Ash Wednesday that his body was riddled with cancer as a side-effect of a pharmaceutical to treat rheumatoid arthritis. After a few sessions of chemo therapy treatment, it became clear that he was too weak to continue. He experienced excruciating pain throughout his last few weeks of life before succumbing to cancer’s cruel grip.
Throughout his priesthood, Fr. Krizner positively impacted tens of thousands of people through his ministry. He lived the Catholic witness, even while suffering through his many serious health restraints. The world is truly brighter today because of this one man. I know this kid would’ve been quite lost without his sage wisdom and guidance. I am eternally grateful to him.
As I had previously mentioned about some of my fears of coming to prison, which would mean missing out significant life events, even deaths. I reflected on the loss of my pup, Hank. Yet, the loss of a someone so close and influential in my life rips at the fabric of my soul. Yet, I’m fortunate to have a known a living saint! As I was reflecting with my best friend on his death, my friend chuckled and remarked, “of course he would wait until April Fool’s day.” Fr. Krizner certainly had an incredible sense of humor, so I know he chuckled too.
May God’s love guide and welcome you home, may Christ’s eternal joy embrace you always, and may the Spirit’s power grant you happy rest!