The Rev. John Lukaszewicz entered into the fullness of eternal life Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, at age 75. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who served at St. Joseph’s Parish in Waukesha from June 1989 to June 1997. A concelebrated Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Nativity of the Lord Parish, 3672 E. Plankinton Ave., Cudahy. Visitation will be held at the parish today, Jan. 21, from 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. wake service, and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral liturgy.
With hope in the resurrection, we commend to the Lord Reverend John C. Lukaszewicz who died on January 18, 2005 at the age of 75. Father John had on file here in the Chancery Office what he wanted communicated at the time of his death. We honor his wishes; what follows are his last words to you. "John C. Lukaszewicz, priest
John's 'putting on Christ' began in Milwaukee at St. Adalbert Parish on November 17, 1929, the day after his birth. John, the beloved disciple, patron of the diocese, was his patron as well. It was the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost (according to the calendar in effect before the Motu Proprio, MYSTERII PASCHALIS, of Paul VI, 14 Feb. 1969).
The Scriptures for that day announced:
1. ". . . you have turned . . . to the worship of God, so as to serve a living God . . . and to
wait for the appearing of his Son . . .Jesus, whom he raised from the dead." I Thes. 1:9. As John's
earthly pilgrimage ended on January 18, 2005, he placed his trust in the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ to raise him from the dead in turn.
2. "The kingdom is like a grain of mustard seed . . . like leaven." Mt. 13:32,34. Wherever
John ministered, planting and watering, it was God who gave the increase.
His initiation into the mystery of Christ continued with the welcome to the Table of the Lord on May 23, 1937. Father Wacaw Kruszka presided at the Eucharist, just as he had at John's Baptism. For Confirmation, it was Milwaukee's Ordinary, Samuel A. Stritch, who presided on May 11, 1939.
John was nurtured in faith by his family, especially his mother, Mary, a valiant woman who embraced the Lord tenaciously throughout her long life. That nurturing continued at St. Adalbert School and St. Francis Minor and Major Seminary. His theological and scriptural formation was fostered by the sons of St. Dominic at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Francis Charri�re, Bishop of Lausanne, Fribourg and Geneva (a successor of St. Francis de Sales), imposed hands on John, ordaining him priest on March 26, 1955.
The Bishops of Milwaukee, Albert G. Meyer, William E. Cousins and Rembert G. Weakland sent John to various places in the Church of Southeastern Wisconsin to minister to God's People. They encouraged and strengthened John in his ministry to glory in his weaknesses. In a time of special need (to seek treatment for alcoholism) Richard J. Sklba and the people of St. Frederick Parish, were the sacrament of God's care. They symbolized the Church of Southeastern Wisconsin. It was the first of a myriad of Anointings of the Sick for John, until his last unction on January 18, 2005. Each of them helped John to grasp what the apostle Paul pointed out: "What do you possess that you have not received?" I Cor. 4:7. Raymond A. Parr and Marlene A. Geissler, two faithful disciples of the Lord, shared their visions and dreams with John. His ministry would have been spirit- less without them.
He commended his spirit to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the God "who is greater than our Heart" (I John 3:20) on January 18, 2005.
Maranatha!"
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at Nativity of the Lord Parish, 3672 East Plankinton Avenue, Cudahy, Wisconsin. Priest classmates and friends are invited to concelebrate; please bring an alb and white stole. Visitation takes place at the parish Friday, January 21, from 4:00-7:00pm (Wake Service at 7:00pm), and again Saturday morning from 9:00 until time for the funeral liturgy.
Members of the Purgatorial Society will please offer the prescribed Mass for the repose of his soul and include Father Lukaszewicz's intention in the General Intercessions at the parish. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely yours in Christ,