FATHER JACOB SZWARC

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FATHER JACOB SZWARC, OMI The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate announce with great sadness the death of Fr. Jacob Szwarc OMI. Fr. Szwarc passed away on Friday, December 19, 2008 after a long and difficult illness. Fr. Jacob Szwarc was born on June 2, 1934 in Poland. He was the fifth of seven children born to Jozef and Aniela Szwarc. During the Second World War, his family was sent to Germany. In 1951 his entire family left for Canada and settled in Winnipeg. Holy Ghost Parish became the centre of their faith life in a new land. There the young Jacob served as an altar server and participated in Polish community organizations such as the scouts and the dance ensemble. With the support of Fr. Antoni Murawski, Jacob studied at St. Michael's College in Toronto from 1953 to 1956. He entered the St. Norbert Novitiate in Manitoba, and in 1957 he made his first religious vows. He then went on to study at the Oblate Seminary at Battleford, Saskatchewan. In November 1964, he was ordained to the diaconate. On January 2, 1965, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul Dumouchel, OMI. Fr. Jacob celebrated his first Mass the following day, on January 3, 1965. From 1965 to 1973, Fr. Jacob served as assistant pastor at St. Stanislaus Kostka parish in Toronto. From 1973 to 1981, he served as pastor at St. Casimir's Parish in Vancouver and from 1981 to 1984 he was pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Winnipeg. From 1984 to 1985, Fr. Jacob was director of the Provincial House in Toronto. From 1985 to 1994, he was pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in St. Catharines and from 1994 to 2005 he served as pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Toronto. In 2005, Fr. Jacob retired for health reasons and moved to the Provincial House in Toronto. Later, he lived in residence at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. In addition to parish work, Fr. Jacob held several other posts, including coordinator of the Toronto District (1991 to 1999). He also served on the Provincial Council (1994 to 1996). He was honorary chairman of the St. Stanislaus-St. Casimir's Polish Parishes Credit Union, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, John Paul II Council at St. Stanislaus Parish, chaplain of the Polish Veterans Association (Toronto Region), and chaplain of the Circle of Hope Ladies Guild at the Polish Veterans Association (SPK-Toronto), No. 20. He earned the Combatants Golden Cross in 1986 and again in 1993. In 1990, he was awarded a Golden Honour Award from the Polish Veterans Association. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Janina Hoszowski and Krystyna Partyka and her husband Frank. He is survived by his brothers, Stanley and Walter; sisters, Mary Kaszuba and Anne and a large extended family. The visitation for Fr. Jacob Szwarc will take place on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 4260 Cawthra Rd., Mississauga; this will be followed by the rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the same parish. The funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, 12 Denison Ave., Toronto. On Saturday, December 27, 2008, prayers will be said at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Parish, 341 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg, MB. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at this same parish, followed by burial at Holy Ghost Cemetery in Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the: Assumption Mission Centre 71 Indian Trail, Toronto, ON M6R 2A1 Wieczny Odpoczynek racz mu dac Panie... 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 24, 2008