Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Stanislaus A. Gruza CSC

Nov. 11, 1882 – Dec. 1, 1963

South Bend Tribune 12/16/1963

Burial services for Rev. Stanislaus A. Gruza CSC, 81, who died Saturday in Chicago \will be held Wednesday in the Community Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame. Father Gruza founded St. Hegwig’s High School in 1928. It became South Bend Catholic High School when it was moved to the former Laurer School, now the Laurer Club in 1938. Father Groza had become pastor of St. Hedwig’s Church in 1925.

Father Gruza had served as assistant superior of Holy Trinity parish, Chicago, from 1958 until his death. Previous to that he had been superior there from 1952. Father Gruza also served pastorates and assistant pastorates at both St. Casimir and St. Hedwig Churches in South Bend.

Friends may call in the Mallec Funeral Home, Chicago, until 4 p.m. Tuesday when the body will be taken to Holy Trinity Church. Services will be held there at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Father Gruza is survived by 15 nieces and nephews in the South Bend area.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1882 in Lukowo, Poland. He came to South Bend at the age of eight years, attended St. Hedwig Catholic School and entered the Holy Cross Seminary on June 24, 1901. He received the habit of the order July 4, 1903, and made his first profession of vows July 4, 1905. He attended Holy Cross College in Washington D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood July 23, 1907 in Sacred Heart Church on the Notre Dame campus.