Issue of February 16, 2003

Bishop Joseph Crowley

Retired auxiliary bishop

Bishop Joseph R. Crowley, 88, retired auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, and former editor of Our Sunday Visitor newspaper, died Feb. 4 at Holy Cross House, a care facility for elderly priests. He had cancer, and had been ill for several weeks.

“Bishop Crowley was the quintessential parish priest, devoted to the sacrament of penance, to preaching and to the spiritual care of the sick and dying,” said Bishop John M. D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend. “He was beloved throughout the length and breadth of the diocese.”

A native of Fort Wayne, his parents were Irish immigrants.

Bishop Crowley served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942-46 in England, Africa and Italy during World War II, attaining the rank of captain.

Ordained a priest of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese in 1953, at the age of 38, he became editor of Our Sunday Visitor five years later. He held the post for a decade, during which circulation reached almost 1 million. He was named a monsignor in 1960.

During the Second Vatican Council, he was moderator of the U.S. bishops’ press panel for the final session.

In addition to serving in five parishes, Bishop Crowley also served in the diocese as vicar general, consultor, assistant chancellor and director of religious instruction.

He also served as a member of the Catholic Charities board of directors, the Presbyteral Council, priests’ personnel board and the advisory council of the diocesan newspaper, Today’s Catholic.

In 1971, he was ordained auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

Two years later, Bishop Crowley became chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Communications. In his six years as chairman, 1973-79, he spearheaded the drive for an annual national collection to improve Catholic communications.

Fr. Malachy Smith

Former prior provincial

Carmelite Father Malachy Smith died Jan. 30 at age 83. Born in Tampa, Fla., he grew up in Chicago and attended St. Clara’s Carmelite School. After attending the Carmelite novitiate in Niagara Falls, Ontario, he returned to St. Clara Church to be ordained to the priesthood. He served at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago as prefect of discipline. He later served as prior provincial for the Most Pure Heart of Mary Carmelite Province from 1966-72, when he was appointed provincial treasurer. He was then assigned to the Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, where he served as retreat director and treasurer.

Sr. Dignata Urzendowski

Teacher

School Sister of St. Francis Dignata Urzendowski died Dec. 22 at age 93. She lived her religious ministry in education, teaching for 45 years in several states. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Philomena School.

Sr. Carissima Zelenak

teacher

Holy Spirit Missionary Sister Carissima Zelenak, 90, died Jan. 30. She was a Holy Spirit Sister for 67 years.

Born in Nitra, Czechoslovakia, she joined the congregation in Austria. She came to the United States after celebrating her first profession of vows. She served as a teacher in several states and then was chairperson for the Holy Spirit Missionary Association.

Sr. Henriette Holt

Teacher, principal

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Henriette Holt, 91, died Jan. 29. She made her final profession of vows in 1934 and served as an elementary and junior high teacher and principal for 37 years. She taught in several states. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Philip Benizi in Chicago and St. Giles in Oak Park. She returned to St. Philip Benizi to serve as principal.

Br. Daniel McMullan

taught at boys town

De La Salle Christian Brother Daniel McMullan, 85, was stricken Jan. 26, while at Mass in the chapel of Lewis Univeristy, Romeoville.

Brother Daniel attended St. Patrick and St. Ailbe grade schools and De La Salle Institute in Chicago. He earned degrees from St. Mary’s College, Winona, and De Paul University.

He taught at Boys Town, Neb., served as vocations director for the Brothers, and served as teacher and principal in schools in several states. In the Chicago area, he taught at St. George High School, Evanston; Driscoll Catholic High School, Addison; and Montini Catholic High School, Lombard. For many years he was director of development for the Christian Brothers in the Chicago area. He is survived by two sisters; Eileen Grady of Evergreen Park and Dominican Sister Mary Eileen of Nashville, Tenn.

Fr. Donald McNally

Religious superior

Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate Father Donald McNally, 68, died Jan. 16. A native of Montreal, he grew up in Chicago at Our Lady of Sorrows and Presentation parishes. He then went to Texas for seminary training. He made his religious profession in 1954, and was ordained in 1960. He served at parishes in Texas and with a degree in Criminal Justice, ministered with the Texas Department of Corrections. He is survived by a brother, John, in Burbank, and a sister, Carmelita Paulin, in Darien.

Br. Pius Resch

Helped the homeless

Society of the Divine Word Brother Pius Resch, 98, died Jan. 4. He was a Divine Word Missionary Brother for 77 years. Born in Rechnitz, Austria, he came to the United States in 1921. He entered the Society of the Divine Word at Techny in 1923. He worked at the press in the bindery until the press burned down. He showed his compassion in the neighborhood by taking care of the homeless he found under the Waukegan Road bridge, providing them with food and clothing.

Sr. Regina Kurdys

teacher

Felician Sister Regina Marie Kurdys, 99, died Jan. 6. A native of Chicago, she joined the Felician Sisters in 1919 form Good Shepherd Parish. She served as a principal and teacher at schools in several states. In Chicago, she taught at St. Wenceslaus, Sacred Heart, St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, St. Bruno, Good Shepherd, and St. Joseph.