Noel (Bernard Waliczek) was born in Chicago, IL on December 8, 1934. He was one of three children born to Michael Waliczek and his wife Jane (Sokolowska). Bernard's entire elementary school education took place at St. Barbara School, Chicago from 1941-1949. He then attended St. Mary of Perpetual Help High School from 1949-1951. In May of 1951, he sought admission to the Franciscans and was accepted in the fall of 1951. He completed his secondary education at St. Bonaventure High School, Sturtevant in 1953.

In August of 1953, Bernard entered the novitiate in Lake Geneva, WI where he was invested and recieved the name "Noel." Making his simple profession the following year, Noel moved to St. Francis Friary and College where he began his study of Philosophy. On August 15, 1957 he professed solemn vows. Completing his college education at St. Francis in 1957, Noel entered Christ the King Seminary, West Chicago, IL where he completed his theological studies and was ordained on May 27, 1961 by Bishop Martin McNamara of the Joliet Diocese.

His first assignment was to the pastorate of St. Mary's Parish in Bryant, Iowa. He also taught theology at Mount St. Care Academy and College in nearby Clinton, Iowa where he also served as chaplain to the Sisters.

Noel's next took up the ministry of education and a path he would walk for many years. In 1963, Noel joined the social studies department at Bishop Neumann H.S. in Philadelphia. He also did are youth work as a volunteer for the Crime Prevention Association of Philadelphia and in May of 1965 he was presented an outstanding service award for his work in helping the youth of South Philadelphia.

Noel completed a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Villanova University in 1966, and was later certified in social sciences. He received a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Education from LaSalle College (University) in 1968.

As the sprawling structure known as Archbishop Ryan High School neared completion, the friars moved from Bishop Neumann to take over as administrators and teachers of "the Boys' side" of the 35 acre campus. In 1966, Noel was appointed Dean of Students for Archbishop Ryan for Boys, and served as chairman and teacher in the religion department. In September 1966, classes commenced for some 700 freshmen and sophomore students and nearly 50 faculty members.

In 1968, the Provincial Council of the Assumption Province appointed Noel to the position of Principal.

What followed under his leadership was a decade of growth and expansion in the facilities, services, and faculty and student enrollment. At 33, he was, for the most part, a "Founding Principal." He was responsible for laying the groundwork that eventually made Ryan a trendsetter, an innovator, a leader among the Archdiocese's secondary schools. Cardinal Krol once referred to Ryan as the "beacon in the Northeast (oh Philadelphia)." It wasn't easy and it wasn't always fun. Forging a plan of growth and development takes hard work and risky decisions. The resourcefulness needed to get started and keep them rolling is something Noel had in abundance. He not only had ideas, he had solutions (Jerry Tokarz, O.F.M., Sandalprints, August 2011)

Under Noel's direction, the school expanded its facilities, services, and faculty and student body from 700 to 2,500. Noel had the distinction and pleasure of being the first chaplain of the Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey Team from 1966 to 1971. In 1972, he played a leading role in gaining accreditation of the school by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 1976, he was chosen by Cardinal Krol to direct the events of the Eucharistic Congress held at JFK stadium in Philadelphia. He served as principal until 1978.

In 1978, he was appointed Guardian of St. Francis Friary, Burlington, Wisconsin, and coordinator of the retreat program. In 1979, Noel took a sabbatical which included further studies at the Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure University and studies at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago receiving a certificate from the Jesuit School of Theology.

In August 1981, Noel arrived at St. Francis Friary and Parish, Greenwood, Mississippi where he served as Pastor of St. Francis Parish and Guardian of the local community.

From 1983 until 1987, Noel was the Director of Retreats at the House of Prayer (Stella Maris Friary) and made many additions and improvements to the friary.

When the Province wanted to organize a new Development Office, Noel was called to serve as Director of Development from 1987 to 1990. He resided at St. Mary of the Angels Friary and commuted to his office located at the Provincial Offices in Pulaski, Wisconsin. During the Provincial Chapter of 1987, Noel was elected to the Provincial Council.

In 1990, Noel assumed the duties of Associate Pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish, Cleveland, Ohio for one year.

In 1991, Noel moved to serve as Chaplain for the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in Lemont, Illinois. He was also the Director of Pastoral Care at Franciscan Village, a senior citizen complex under the sponsorship of the same Sisters. He remained in Lemont until 2007 when problems with his health necessitated a move to Queen of Peace Friary, Burlington, Wisconsin.

Needing around the clock medical care, Noel was transferred to the Muskego Health Center. John Puodziunas, Minister Provincial, received a call from Michael May and Thomas Wojciechowski on February 22 notifying him of Noel's deteriorating health condition. Noel died on February 26, 2012.

Noel was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Jane Waliczek as well as his brother Edward Waliczek and his sister Loretta Kash. He is survived by a niece Janice Garibaldi and a nephew Philip Kash, and his brother-friars of the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Province.

Before his departure from Archbishop Ryan High School in 1978, Noel printed a poem in the Ryan Raiderscope, the school's newspaper. His words seem apropos to this moment.
Thanks for the Memories

Thanks for all the memories
In which you've played a part,
For they are always nearest
And dearest to the heart . . .
Thanks for all the memories
That are yours and mine alone,
For they recall so many
Special moments I have known . . .
Thanks for all the memories
That time can never dim . . .
I never could repay you
For the joy I've found in them!

A MEMORIAL MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED AT ARCHBISHOP RYAN HIGH SCHOOL ON TUESDAY, MARCH 20 AT 7 PM. (in the school auditorium) Faculty, staff, alumni and friends are invited to share in this Celebration. Contributions to the Franciscan Friars Education Fund would be greatly appreciated.