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      Funeral Services Held for Fr. Gregory Maslak

      On March 19–20, funeral services for the repose of the soul of Fr. Gregory Maslak were held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia. A longtime priest of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, he faithfully served the people of God. He was laid to rest in Scranton, the city where he was born.

      In a letter of condolences from Archbishop Borys Gudziak, read by the Vicar for Clergy, Fr. Robert Hitchens, the faithful were reminded with gratitude of Fr. Gregory’s life and ministry:

      “We are grateful to the Lord for the gift of Father Gregory’s life and vocation. Many will remember him as a kind man who was dedicated to the Lord in prayer and service. He nourished the people of God with the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. He was a quiet witness to countless conversions and reconciliations with God in the confessional, where he spoke the words of absolution. He walked with others throughout their life journey, sharing in the joys of Baptism, Chrismation, and weddings, offering comfort in the pain and sorrow of illness through prayer and the anointing of the sick, and accompanying his parishioners whom the Lord called to eternity.”

      Reflecting on his life and example, Msgr. Peter Waslo, Vicar General, noted:

      “He always remembered people — their anniversaries or birthdays — he would send cards and always ask how things were… A quiet man, but always there — one of those you knew you could count on, steady at any time. Of course, he did the work of the Lord. We look at him with gratitude and think, ‘I want to be like that too.’ He served wherever he was — in the parish or in the seminary. He was always a presence. This is how you behave as a priest. This is what you do as a priest.”

      In his homily, Fr. Taras Lonchyna reflected on the meaning of priestly ministry and Fr. Gregory’s faithful service:

      “The ministry of a priest is to guide his flock to the kingdom of God, and that is exactly what Father Gregory did. No matter where he was assigned to be a good shepherd, he did this by preaching the Gospel, the good news of salvation and eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

      Father Gregory invited the faithful to come in faith and receive Jesus personally. And by receiving Jesus, they received eternal life.

      Father Gregory has buried many parishioners and handed them over to the mercy of a just God. Now we pray for him who has gone to his Father’s house — to his Father’s house and our Father’s house, as Jesus said, to a place prepared for him before the creation of the world.”