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<span class=prefix>Fr</span> Luke Dyjak

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Fr Luke Dyjak

Birth
Indian Orchard, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA
Death
4 Jan 1998 (aged 74)
San Pedro, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Burial
Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA Add to Map
Plot
priests circle
Memorial ID
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A native of Indian Orchard, MA., Fr. Luke was born on June 6, 1923. Desiring to pursue a missionary vocation, Fr. Luke entered St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate in Ellicott City, MD in August of 1940, after a year of postulancy at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY. At the end of the novitiate year, on August 15, 1942, he made his first profession of vows. He remained in Ellicott City after his novitiate to study philosophy. Completing his theological studies at St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, MA, he was ordained in the Seminary's chapel on June 20, 1948.
In all of his assignments after ordination, Fr. Luke was a compassionate evangelist, missionary and ecumenist who would bring people together to assist one another. After two years of teaching at Bishop Ryan School in Buffalo, NY, he finally realized his dream to be a missionary with his assignment to the Islands of Amami Oshima in Japan. He then assisted with parochial ministry in a number of parishes: Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston, MA; Our Lady of the Rosary in Taunton, MA; St. Louis in Portland, ME; St. Stephen in Shamokin, PA; St. Stanislaus B.M. in Chicopee, MA and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Buffalo, NY. After a year (1973-1974) as pastor of a small African-American parish, St. Francis, In Livingston, AL, he volunteered to be part of the Order's presence in Turkey. After 4 years in Turkey, he then studies the Chaldean Rite and initiated the Order's presence in Iran. He returned to the U.S. in 1979. After two very brief assignments at Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston, MA and Corpus Christi in Buffalo, NY, he sought to be part of the efforts of the Order to minister in the southwest of the U.S. in the new provincial custody of Our Lady of Guadalupe from 1981-88. He then assisted with parochial ministry at the African-American Parish of St. Francis in Bessemer, AL. Hearing the need for Hispanic ministry in the northeast, he then served from 1990 to 1992 in the Diocese of Springfield wherever ministry in Spanish was needed. As his health began to fail due to diabetes, and after a brief stay in New Mexico, he took up residence in 1992 at Guadalupe Center in Cherry Valley, CA. Since 1994, he was a resident of Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, CA. On Sunday, January 4, 1998, Fr. Luke suffered a fatal heart attack at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital while being treated for diabetic complications. After services at St. Stanislaus Basilica In Chicopee, MA, Fr. Luke's mortal remains were interred in the Friars' Plot of St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee. The unique qualities of Fr. Luke's engaging personality allowed him to be the enthusiastic missionary whether at home or abroad and endeared him to many. He would study languages, cultures and different rites to enable him to communicate the Gospel. Neither personal insult while in a foreign land or sickness in his later years would get in his way of spreading the Gospel. Oftentimes, his persistence would be rewarded with a conversion of heart or a decision in favor of the faith.
A native of Indian Orchard, MA., Fr. Luke was born on June 6, 1923. Desiring to pursue a missionary vocation, Fr. Luke entered St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate in Ellicott City, MD in August of 1940, after a year of postulancy at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY. At the end of the novitiate year, on August 15, 1942, he made his first profession of vows. He remained in Ellicott City after his novitiate to study philosophy. Completing his theological studies at St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, MA, he was ordained in the Seminary's chapel on June 20, 1948.
In all of his assignments after ordination, Fr. Luke was a compassionate evangelist, missionary and ecumenist who would bring people together to assist one another. After two years of teaching at Bishop Ryan School in Buffalo, NY, he finally realized his dream to be a missionary with his assignment to the Islands of Amami Oshima in Japan. He then assisted with parochial ministry in a number of parishes: Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston, MA; Our Lady of the Rosary in Taunton, MA; St. Louis in Portland, ME; St. Stephen in Shamokin, PA; St. Stanislaus B.M. in Chicopee, MA and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Buffalo, NY. After a year (1973-1974) as pastor of a small African-American parish, St. Francis, In Livingston, AL, he volunteered to be part of the Order's presence in Turkey. After 4 years in Turkey, he then studies the Chaldean Rite and initiated the Order's presence in Iran. He returned to the U.S. in 1979. After two very brief assignments at Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston, MA and Corpus Christi in Buffalo, NY, he sought to be part of the efforts of the Order to minister in the southwest of the U.S. in the new provincial custody of Our Lady of Guadalupe from 1981-88. He then assisted with parochial ministry at the African-American Parish of St. Francis in Bessemer, AL. Hearing the need for Hispanic ministry in the northeast, he then served from 1990 to 1992 in the Diocese of Springfield wherever ministry in Spanish was needed. As his health began to fail due to diabetes, and after a brief stay in New Mexico, he took up residence in 1992 at Guadalupe Center in Cherry Valley, CA. Since 1994, he was a resident of Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, CA. On Sunday, January 4, 1998, Fr. Luke suffered a fatal heart attack at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital while being treated for diabetic complications. After services at St. Stanislaus Basilica In Chicopee, MA, Fr. Luke's mortal remains were interred in the Friars' Plot of St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee. The unique qualities of Fr. Luke's engaging personality allowed him to be the enthusiastic missionary whether at home or abroad and endeared him to many. He would study languages, cultures and different rites to enable him to communicate the Gospel. Neither personal insult while in a foreign land or sickness in his later years would get in his way of spreading the Gospel. Oftentimes, his persistence would be rewarded with a conversion of heart or a decision in favor of the faith.

Gravesite Details

Conventual Franciscan priest


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  • Created by: Anonymous
  • Added: Sep 8, 2007
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21438475/luke-dyjak: accessed ), memorial page for Fr Luke Dyjak (6 Jun 1923–4 Jan 1998), Find a Grave Memorial ID 21438475, citing Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Anonymous (contributor 46479851).