Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Stanislaus J. Gorka CSC

Nov. 16, 1884 – Aug. 22, 1941

South Bend Tribune (Excerpts) 8/22/1941 & 8/23/1941

A sudden heart attack at 10:10 a.m. today caused the death of Rev. Stanislaus J. Gorka CSC, 56, pastor of St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church here since Sept. 29, 1915 in St. Joseph Hospital. Father Gorka had entered the hospital July 26 and was in poor health since a heart attack suffered Sept. 10, 1940. His death removes from the Polish parishes of the city a pastor who had served his flock the longest number of years. 

Born in South Bend, Nov. 16, 1884, Father Gorka received his elementary education at St. Hedwig’s School before entering Holy Cross Seminary at Notre Dame, where in 1903 he became a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He was ordained in Washington DC, Sept. 26, 1907, and his first post of duty was St. Hedwig’s Church as assistant to the late Rev. Valentine Czyzewski CSC, organizer of the local Polish parishes. In 1909 he was transferred to Holy Trinity Church in Chicago and was assistant there until he assumed the pastorate of St. Casimir’s. He was absent from the church only six years from 1931 to 1937, during which he was assistant pastor of Holy Trinity.

The body may be viewed in the rectory of St. Casimer’s Church beginning tonight until 4 p.m. Monday when it will be carried into the church to lie in state until the time of the funeral service. The rosary will be recited in the church at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The requiem high mass will be celebrated Tuesday by Very Rev. Thomas A. Steiner CSC, provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross, assisted by the Rev. Ignatius Gapczynski, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, LaPorte, Ind, and Rev. Bernard Niemier, newly appointed assistant pastor of St. Hedwige’s church, as decons. Both are natives of St. Casimer’s parish. The eulogy will be preached by Rev. Stanislaus A. Gruza CSC, pastor of St. Hedwig’s church, who was a classmate of Father Gorka at Notre Dame. Burial will be in Community Cemetery of the Congregation of Holy Cross at Notre Dame.