Father Frank Joseph Pyka, CMF

Dear Father Frank Pyka helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I met him at the 6:30 a.m. Mass at the San Gabriel Mission church. I had decided to stop there on my way to work to ask Jesus for emotional support. Jesus answered my prayers before I ever asked for help by having Father Pyka there on the altar saying Mass. He brought a smile to my face every single morning. He definitely earned his wings prior to getting to Heaven. Thank you Father Frank, I will never...

He was absolutely the sweetest most helpful man!!!! My sons and I loved him. We will miss him very much!!

What a loving, joyful spirit he was, with a wonderful laugh and smile; always positive. He knew everyone by first name and talked to you like he was your best friend. What a great man.

I knew Fr. Frank 'way back into the '40's. He was at our home after my Confirmation. I had lost touch with him for many years but found where he was living last year and had a wonderful telephone conversation with him. Godspeed, Frank. May you rest in peace.

I love this photo. Not just a smile, but almost as if he's opened his mouth to smile and laugh or say hello. He was a great reflection of Jesus. My brother Bob said it well.

Served Mass for him many times...

Father Frank or Father Pyka, died towards the end of last week...
another pastor most of us grew up with, Father Joe Gamm CMF also died.
Father Pyka once told me that he felt like he was a member of our Family.
He said he wasn't as close to his own family, most of them were grown when he was born. He did have a sister and a brother who lived in Prescott, but he didn't see them often enough:
they didn't stay in contact that much.
He was the epitome of why priests are...

Fr. Pyka married us in 1980 at Sacred Heart Parish in Prescott, AZ. His presence, then and throughout the years, always filled us with wisdom, laughter and peace. Fortunately for us, Fr. Pyka returned to our parish over the years. He was a very special priest. Thank you to Fr. Pyka and all of the Claritians. Heaven is rejoicing.