The Rev. Bernard Pietrzak, pastor of St. Anne Catholic Community in Barrington, died at the age of 68, officials announced in a news release.
According to a news release from the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Catholic priest was born on Oct. 18, 1955 in Hammond, Indiana. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Niles College of Loyola University, which are both in Chicago, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
He died Nov. 29.
“Bernie was a good mentor and friend. He always saw the best in people. He would encourage young priests and welcome them,” the Rev. Jerome Jacob, pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Mundelein, stated in the release.
The two priests became friends at St. Raymond de Peñafort Catholic Church in Mount Prospect when Jacob joined the church as associate pastor and Pietrzak was serving as pastor, the release states.
“The Sunday assembly was very important to him,” Jacob stated in the release. “He was very dedicated to adult formation, marriage preparation, etc. to help people grow in their spirituality.”
Ordained to the priesthood on May 13, 1981 by Cardinal John Cody, Pietrzak celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 23 that same year at St. Florian Parish in Chicago, the release states.
Officials noted in the release that the Rev. Joji Thanugundla and the Rev. Rodolfo Ramirez, associate pastors of St. Anne, penned a tribute to Pietrzak on the parish’s Instagram account:
“Father Bernie served our St. Anne community with unwavering dedication, compassion and a profound commitment to his faith. He touched the lives of many with his inspiring homilies, guidance and selfless service.”
After ordination, Pietrzak was associate pastor at St. Victor Church in Calumet City, Holy Cross Catholic Church in Deerfield and Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, the release states.
According to the release, he then served as pastor at St. Raymond de Peñafort from 1996 to 2009 and at St. Anne, where he had been serving as pastor since 2009.
Funeral services were scheduled to take place Dec. 5 at St. Anne, including visitation hours and a vigil service presided over by Thanugundla, with the Rev. Ed Panek serving as the homilist, the release states.
The funeral Mass was scheduled for Dec. 6, with Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, the main celebrant of the funeral Mass and Jacob the homilist, according to the release.
Interment will be private, the release states.
