BELOVED OLGC PASTOR LEAVING AURORA The Rev. David Engbarth, former pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and one Aurora’s most passionate anti-violence activists, is leaving his parish and the state after suffering a heart attack in December. Engbarth notified the Rockford Diocese on Monday that he is retiring to help out at a parish in the St. Petersburg/Tampa area, where he has close family. A farewell party will be held for him from 3- 5 p.m. Sunday in the gymnasium of Our Lady of Good Counsel School. Engbarth, who came to Aurora in the late 1970s to Holy Angels Church, was recipient of numerous community awards over the years. Included in those accolades was 2008 Kane County Citizen of the Year for his “tireless commitment to the Aurora community … and providing outstanding leadership in the areas of community development and immigration rights.” But perhaps Engbarth is best known for his public stand on the war against crime and gangs in Aurora’s neighborhoods beginning in the mid 90s when the city was averaging 20 murders a year. At one point, while officiating back-to-back funerals for two gang members, a police SWAT team had to be stationed outside the church during the services because word had it there was a contract on his life. It was a low point for him, not because he was in danger, Engbarth said back then, but because the city seemed out of control. More coming ....
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:52:52 +0000
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