At this year’s 35th annual St. Nikola Tavelic banquet, honoring the first canonized Croatian Saint and our guild's Patron Saint, the Croatian Catholic Family Guild will also celebrate Fr. Ivan Gerovac's Golden Anniversary (50) years of priesthood.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 4, 2022, at 3:00 pm in the parish Auditorium.  Festivities will begin at the conclusion of the Croatian Mass.  A traditional Croatian dinner will be served.  Menu includes tri-tip, chicken, mostaccioli, sauerkraut, salad, rolls, dessert, and wine.

Cost:  adults. $40, teens 13 through 17 years $20 and children 12 and under are free.  Tickets are available for purchase from any Guild board member.  All parishioners are invited.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please call Antonette Radovcic (310) 780-7678 or Katie Juravic (310) 291-2625.  Please make checks payable to the Croatian Catholic Family Guild.

Performances by:  St. Anthony’s Kolo Club Croatia (Last dance from opera “Ero s onoga svijeta”
Mary Star of the Sea Croatian Choir Leopold Mandic

Rev. Ivan Gerovac
Croatian & Italian Ministry
Father Ivan was born and raised in Zagreb, Croatia.  His religious life began in 1962 as a member of the Society of Jesus, was ordained a priest in 1972 and was professed a Jesuit in 1983.  Father Ivan’s studies include Theology (became a Doctor of Theology), Community Development, Medicine and Preparatory for Missionary Work.

After 25 years of missionary work in Africa Fr. Ivan was welcomed by Mary Star of the Sea Parish in 2003.  As Associate Pastor he worked until mid of 2012, when he was assigned as Administrator to St. Anthony Croatian Parish in Los Angeles.  In 2014 he was recognized as a Senior Priest.  A year after he retired, Fr. Ivan came back to Mary Star of the Sea to serve the Croatian and Italian communities.  Although he retired, he is still active in the Parish and assists with the chaplaincy at San Pedro Hospital.  Since 2016 Fr. Ivan is a chaplain of Air Force (Space) Base, Los Angeles.  Being a Jesuit, he belongs to Southern African Province.  Wherever Fr. Ivan is he serves the people of God for the glory of God.