On March 7-8 friends, family and brothers in Christ said their final goodbye to Rev. John Wysochansky

The final farewell began on Sunday, March 7 with the Priestly Parastas celebrated at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Olyphant, PA.  The Parastas was headed by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak and concelebrated with 7 priests and a deacon. Among the present clergy was also Father John’s youngest brother Rev. Walter – the last living brother of the family of 12 siblings. At the end of the Parastas, Father Walter shared with those assembled in the church, as well as with those praying online, some memories and thoughts on his late brother’s personality, vocation, and doings:

“Father John was in an orphanage for four years. It happened when my dad was killed in the mines suddenly and my mother was left with twelve children. I was the twelfth while in her womb. And I never saw my dad. Three children went to the orphanage in Philadelphia: my sister Mary, my brother Stanley and Father John. Mary lasted a year. Stanley – half a year. But father John, for some mysterious reason, wanted to stay. He had the opportunity to come home, but he wanted to stay.  And I think that’s the wanting to stay that played a big role in his life, in his formation, even, no doubt, apart as far as planting a seed of the vocation in his life”.

Rev. Walter also shared memories about his brother’s ministry, constant visits to families, and about their conversations at the very end, when Father John was already in the nursing home. During the last two months, I called him many times – twice a day. Sometimes I got through, sometimes I didn’t. But when I did, we had good conversations. They were not too frivolous at times because of the situation. And he said: “Walter, pray!”

On Monday, March 8, the funeral took place. It was headed by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak. In his homily, the archbishop stressed the importance of the prayer, with which we bid farewell to those, who fell asleep in the Lord and in this particular case – to Rev. John Wysochansky.

Funeral of Fr. John Wysochansky: https://www.facebook.com/watch/100075922014103/?ref=embed_video

“Funerals are not first and foremost exercises in lauding the departed. We of course are grateful to God for the life of Father John, all the sacraments he delivered, all the sins that God forgave through his hands, Eucharist, that gave nourishment to the countless thousands. This funeral is our prayer, the thanksgiving to God for all of his gifts, for the life of Father John. It’s a prayer that in his mystical, indescribable passage from this life to the next, all the burdens that may be weighed on Father John be taken away from him. And this prayer is for us. To help us focus. In the world that is full of distracting noise, of fakes, of make-believes, of illusions. It is here when we are together around the Word or sharing His Body and Blood, remembering the best of the tradition, family, faithfulness, endurance in difficulty, prayer, that we find new resolve to go forward.”

Rev. John Wysochansky was buried in the Olyphant cemetery after the funerary service. May his memory be eternal!