Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Walter G. Michalik C.S.C.

Feb. 21, 1918 - Dec. 25, 2003

South Bend Tribune 12/27/2003

Rev. Walter G. Michalik, C.S.C., died on Thursday, December 25, 2003 at Holy Cross House, Douglas Road, Notre Dame, Indiana after a long illness with diabetes. He was surrounded by his brothers in community and the nursing staff of Holy Cross who took such great care of him. His brother, Eduardo Michalik, C.S.C., of the Midwest Province, prayed with him to the end. Father Michalik was 85 years old.

Father Michalik was born to Michael and Sophia (Denda) Michalik on February 21, 1918 in Delancey, Pennsylvania. He attended St. Adrian Parish grade school and high school as well as Sts. Cosmas and Damien high school in nearby Punxsutawney.

Before entering the Holy Cross Seminary, he worked for five years in coal mines in Pennsylvania and spent four years (1941-1945) serving in the United States Army and received the Victory Metal for his honorable service during World War II.

Father Michalik entered the University of Notre Dame as a freshman and candidate for Holy Cross in 1947. From August 1948 to August 1949 he was at Sacred Heart Novitiate in South Bend. In the next three years he finished his college study at Notre Dame before moving to Holy Cross Foreign Mission Seminary in Washington, D.C. for his graduate work in theology in 1952.

On June 6, 1956 Father Michalik was ordained to the priesthood in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. Fulfilling a dream to serve the poor, later that year he went to the Holy Cross Missions in Bengal, East Pakistan, now called Bangladesh. He worked there in many places and at many missions before taking a year of rest and study in 1970-1971 at the Oriental Institute in Pakistan.

Father Michalik left the mission service in 1975 to assist at Our Lady of the Lakes in Deltona, Florida. In 1983 he came to South Bend's St. Patrick Church before returning to Florida a year later. Until 1996 he ministered to the people of St. Ignatius in Tarpon Springs before returning to Notre Dame and three years at Holy Cross House.

From 1999-2001 he resided at Holy Cross Mission House and moved to Holy Cross House in 2001 due to failing health. He never complained, never asked for special treatment and loved each day looking to the coming of God's Kingdom and trying to make it happen.

Father Michalik is survived by his brother, Brother Edwardo Michalik, C.S.C., Notre Dame; and his sisters, Sally Marcinak and Anne Misterovich, Florida; and Bernice Ponczak, Illinois; and by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Viewing will be held for Father Michalik in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, on Sunday, December 28, 2003 from 3:30 to 9:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m.. The

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Monday, December 29, 2003 at 9:30 a.m.. Burial will follow in the Community Cemetery at Notre Dame.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home in South Bend, Indiana is in charge of arrangements.