Reverend Joseph Szewczyk

Joseph Szewezyk lived a long, holy and remarkable life. Born in Poland on April 2, 1932 he was caught up in the September 1939 Nazi invasion and later Soviet Union Iron Curtain. When his parents refused to accede to the Nazis they and their children were imprisoned in Auschwitz. While there, he witnessed and experienced many abuses. "Every morning, we collected the deceased children for cremation." (Including from the gas chambers) While imprisoned he wondered how educated Germans "could perform great crimes on us...I concluded as a child that there must be something missing in their spiritual, moral life." Consequently, Joseph vowed that if he survived "I would dedicate my life to Christ as a priest to heal the spiritual life of this highly educated class of people." (2005 autobiographical reflections). As the Allied army approached his camp the prisoners feared the guards would shoot them to prevent witnesses. Many, including young Joseph, prayed all night for deliverance. The next morning the guards were gone.
He was ordained in 1955. When he contracted TB in 1956 his bishop sent him to Krakow under the care of Fr. Karol Woityla (later St. Pope John Paul II), who moved him to the mountain town of Zakopane. Whenever Fr. Woityla periodically came to Zakopane "he took me for a walk in the hills. When I was well, he started to walk with me in the mountains, skiing and hiking. These meetings were filled with spiritual reflections that built up my physiological and emotional health... 'Do not be afraid'... you have to leave the valley darkness to climb to the peak to live in the sunshine. When we were climbing mountains, he told me "To always have your eyes up, up to God." When they were thirsty from their climbing Fr. Woityla pointed out where to find fresh water. "There is pure water, and in the valley, it is mixed with dirt. Therefore, always go to primary resources. This would be scriptures and writing of the Father of the Church. Theological teachings would be secondary resources but would be the personal opinions of the writers." So began the lifelong friendship of Fr. Joseph and the future pope. Their paths would cross throughout the pope's life. Fr. Joseph visited his friend the week the Pope died to catch up and say goodbye.
Fr. Joseph was highly educated, receiving two doctorate degrees, one in France in 1968. He was doing post graduate work and was one of the researchers during Vatican II where he met St. Pope John XXIII. While he and his fellow researchers were toiling away in the library the pope would appear around 2 a.m. to greet them: "I only stopped to tell you I am working also". Later the pope warned... you are young priests as young wine, but remember young wine can become vinegar under certain conditions. I wish that you do not become deviated from your beauty of moral life and certain conditions of the pastoral life. During Vatican II Fr. Joseph also met and worked for John Cardinal Dearden who presided over Lumen Gentium. Later Fr. Joseph did archeological studies in Jerusalem funded by an academic award. He worked on the dig in Capernaum of St. Peter's house.
Fr. Joseph came to the U.S, and taught at Orchard Lake Seminary, St. John Seminary, Madonna College and the University of Detroit (now UD Mercy). He began celebrating 6:15 a.m. weekday Mass at St. Hugo of the Hills Chapel in 1970 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday Mass, which he continued until August 22, 2023. He would arrive at the chapel at 4:30 a.m. and pray the rosary, the Prayer of Divine Office and read his bible. He heard confessions daily before and after morning Mass and Saturday afternoons. People sought him out for confessions and spiritual guidance. Many commented about the spiritual glow they felt afterwards.
In 2001 Fr. Joseph began regularly ministering to the sick, administering the Sacrament of Healing and visiting nursing homes weekly. Despite his age and declining health Fr. Joseph continued ministering until recently. After his last early Mass on August 22, he said Mass at Senior Living in a wheelchair. Immediately after Mass he was ordered by his doctor to go to the Emergency Room where he was treated. After a week of hospitalization, he was released to Lourdes Nursing Home in Waterford. Fr. Joseph was beloved by all who encountered him. Even in his last weeks of life medical staff who treated or read his x-rays wanted to meet the holy priest. Fr. Joseph wanted to continue his priestly vocation as long as possible. It was fitting therefore that one priest, who had never met him previously, said Mass at his bedside and put an extra stole around his neck so he could concelebrate the Mass. He lived an exemplary life and will be remembered my many. Like St. Paul, he poured himself out like a libation. He kept the faith, competed well and finished the race. II Timothy 4:6-7. May the Lord greet him and say: "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23.
Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, Pontiac. Donations in the memory of Fr. Joseph may be made to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Boulevard, Detroit, 48206.
An article on Father Joseph's life may be read online at the Detroit Catholic.