Photo Galleries »

Supporters come out by hundreds for Father Stan

Rev. Stan Strycharz listens to a parishioner of St. Leo Catholic Church after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010 pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff

Photo by LEXEY SWALL

Rev. Stan Strycharz listens to a parishioner of St. Leo Catholic Church after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010 pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff

Buy this photo

Photo Rating:
Gallery Rating:

  • Rev. Stan Strycharz listens to a parishioner of St. Leo Catholic Church after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010 pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Rev. Stan Strycharz receives a standing ovation during a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended a March 2011 meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Rev. Kevin McDonough, a Canon lawyer, speaks to a crowd during a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Stan Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Rev. Stan Strycharz gives a blessing to Anthony Sebastyn, 89, as his wife Verna stands by after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. 'The last time he blessed (my husband), he got better,' said Verna Sebastyn. 'We want him back.' Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Rev. Stan Strycharz gives words of thanks to a crowd during a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Parishioners sing during a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Stan Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Parishioners listen during a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Stan Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Hundreds of parishioners wait to greet Rev. Stan Strycharz after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Hundreds of parishioners wait to greet Rev. Stan Strycharz after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Parishioners greet each other during a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Stan Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Hundreds of parishioners wait to greet Rev. Stan Strycharz after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010, pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Rev. Stan Strycharz listens to a parishioner of St. Leo Catholic Church after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010 pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Rev. Stan Strycharz listens to a parishioner of St. Leo Catholic Church after a prayer gathering and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Strycharz on Wednesday at Quail West Country Club in Bonita Springs. Strycharz, the priest of St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was suspended by Bishop Frank Dewane in July 2010 pending investigations into allegations that he fathered a child and mishandled financial and personnel issues. About 400 people attended Wednesday's meeting that was held in support of Strycharz and organized by a group called Save the Southwest Florida Diocese. Lexey Swall/Staff

Related Stories for Supporters come out by hundreds for Father Stan

Comments on this photo » 1

kirksquare writes:

God Bless Father Stan! He is sorely missed as St Leos is currently under staffed. I have been a parishoner of St Leos since I was 4, and Father Stan is by far the most aproachable and understanding Priest that has led us. Father let the Bishop know about his child 4 yrs ago; still Father Stan was allowed to become our leader. From what I know (Limited info via Bishops orders), Father refused to dismiss two loyal servants. That is why he was dismissed. No disrespect to the other Preiests, who have done a fenominal job in his absence, but we the parishoners of St Leo NEED OUR SHEPARD BACK! Please Bishop, listen to your flock and bring back OUR FATHER! God Bless you Father Stan! Keep Fighting, as will I.

Share your thoughts

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.

Comments can be shared on Facebook and Yahoo!. Add both options by connecting your profiles.

Features