Rev. Joseph L. Sredzinski
Deceased: 2015-10-10
Diocese: GREENSBURG
ICTE Fall: 1989
Rev. Canon Joseph L. Sredzinski, 71, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died unexpectedly in his sleep Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, while visiting Krakow, Poland, with high school classmates. He was a priest for 45 years. Father Sredzinski was born March 19, 1944, in Connellsville, to the late Louis and Josephine Ann (Kois) Sredzinski. As a child, he attended the former St. Joseph School, Uniontown, and St. Anthony of Padua High School in Watkins Glen, N.Y. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, Mich., and a master’s of divinity from SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake. He was ordained a priest by Bishop William G. Connare on May 9, 1970, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Father Sredzinski also did graduate work at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C., and the Pontifical North American College, Rome. He served as a deacon with St. John Paul II at Orchard Lake, Mich., and also met with him at the Vatican. He was named an honorary canon of Lublin Cathedral in Lublin, Poland, by Archbishop Joseph M. Zycinski on July 23, 2007. Cardinal Adam J. Maida, the archbishop of Detroit, announced this honor in the U.S. during a ceremony at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, D.C. “He was a priest forever,” said his sister, Patricia Brensy. He loved his work and sharing it with people, and he also enjoyed traveling and experiencing new adventures, she said. “And he kept his ties, and he always knew where his roots were from,” Brensy said. She noted that her brother was the first priestly vocation from St. Joseph Parish, Uniontown. “My parents were so very proud of him,” she said. “He loved his mother and his dad, and the faith that they instilled in (Father Sredzinski) filled him with an everlasting love for his God,” Brensy said. Father Sredzinski served as associate pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish and its former mission, St. John Bosco, Lower Burrell (1970-72); the former Holy Rosary Parish, Republic (1972-74); St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish, New Kensington (1974-79); and St. Peter Parish, Brownsville, and its former mission, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Newell (1979-84). Father Sredzinski was pastor of the former St. Stanislaus Parish, Calumet (1984-89); St. Joseph Parish, Everson (1989-1999); and St. Hubert Parish, Point Marion (1999-2007). He also had pastoral responsibilities at Sacred Heart and Ascension parishes, both in Jeannette (2010-retirement.) Father Sredzinski served as chaplain at St. Emma Monastery and the State Correctional Institute (2007-10), and Westmoreland Manor (2007-retirement), all in Greensburg. In addition, he served as Deanery VIII representative to the Priests’ Council. He had served as national chaplain to the Polish Falcons of America since 1981. Father Sredzinski also served on the board of the Polish American Priests’ Association and initiated a Polish Heritage Club in Uniontown where he served as chaplain. He spoke three additional languages: Polish, Italian and French. Brensy said Father Sredzinski enjoyed broadcasting his weekly WMBS (Uniontown) radio program, “That You May Believe,” to more than 6,000 listeners over the Internet and local radio stations. Father Sredzinski retired from all pastoral and chaplain responsibilities July 1, 2015. Father Lawrence L. Hoppe, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, was one of Father Sredzinski’s closest friends. “He always dressed as a priest, and I admired that in him,” Father Hoppe said, noting this reflected Father Sredzinski’s great love for the priesthood. “He was always out to help others in whatever way he could,” he said, whether it was helping immigrants or men recently released from prison. “And he loved all the sacraments and things relating to the Polish culture,” adding that Father Sredzinski traveled to Poland nearly 20 times in his lifetime. Father Sredzinski is survived by brothers, James (Patricia) Sredinski and Charles Sredinski, of Naples, Fla.; and sisters, Patricia (Michael) Brensy and Sister Jolenta Sredinski, Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Pittsburgh. In addition, he is survived by many nephews and cousins, two uncles, one niece, great-nephews and a great-niece. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at St. Joseph Parish, Uniontown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at St. Joseph Church with the Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of Greensburg, serving as principal celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Cemetery, Footedale. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of DEARTH FUNERAL HOME, New Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to the charity of choice in Father Sredzinski’s name or to his favorite charities: Sisters of the Holy Spirit, respect life organizations, Polish Falcons of America, the education of seminarians, EWTN or Poland charities.
