Michael ROZEWICZ

4 MAR 1925 - 14 JAN 2005

• BIRTH: 4 MAR 1925, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI
• DEATH: 14 JAN 2005, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI

INDEX

[N26597] Rev Michael Rozewicz

BIRTH 4 Mar 1925
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI

DEATH 14 Jan 2005 (aged 79)
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI

BURIAL
Saint Adalberts Cemetery
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA
PLOT Section: Priest Row: 1 Grave: 8
MEMORIAL ID 21399965 · View Source

Fr. Michael (Gilbert) Rozewicz was born of Stanley Rozewicz and Anna Jankowski on March 14, 1925 in Milwaukee, WI. He was baptized, Gilbert, at the Basilica of St. Josaphat, Milwaukee, WI on September 2, 1925. He attended St. Josaphat Grade School, St. Francis High School, and St. Francis College in Milwaukee, WI. In September of 1945, he entered the Conventual Franciscan Novitiate in Lake Forest, IL and made his First Profession on September 8, 1946. Afterwards, he studied his Philosophy at Our Lady of Consolation Seminary in Carey, Ohio. In 1948, he was sent to Assisi, Italy to complete his studies in Theology, making his Solemn Profession on October 4, 1949 in Assisi. There he completed his subdiaconate, deaconate, and was ordained July 8, 1951 by Bishop Joseph Placidus Nicolini.
He returned to the United States in 1952 and his first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Hedwig Parish in Detroit, MI. Fr. Michael spent his priestly and Conventual life ministering to the people of God in a number of parishes throughout the Midwest as associate pastor and then as Pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Rockford, IL, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Kewanee, IL, 13th Pastor and rector of the Basilica of St. Josephat in Milwaukee, WI, Pastor of St. Hedwig Parish in Detroit, MI and the Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Detroit, MI. In 1997, he became Guardian of All Saints Friary in Dearborn Heights, MI assisting the neighboring parishes on weekends and when needed. During the Holy Year Celebration of the Year 2000, he volunteered and became a confessor at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome ministering to the many pilgrims. He was a dedicated and kind religious, faithful to his prayer life, an excellent administrator, steadfast in his ministry and beloved by his confreres and the people he served. He carried the cross of affliction in his final years, suffering from cancer, painful sciatica and lower back degeneration. A broken hip was traumatic to his system and he never fully recovered, succumbing at last to a stroke at the age of 79, 59 years as a Conventual Franciscan and 54 years as a priest. Many will remembered Fr. Michael as a true friend, a kind confessor, a man of simple witness and a good friary companion. He and his brother +Jerome were instrumental in aiding our Mission in Xochistlahuaca, Mexico by helping to secure and provide funds for the girl's dormitory there. May he rest in peace and he remembered by all.

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