The Reverend Paul J. Hritz, Ph. D., Pastor Emeritus, Saint Malachi Parish and Community of Saint Malachi, Cleveland died Saturday, 6 July 2013, after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments.
Paul J. Hritz was born on 11 December 1923. His parents were the late George and Anna (Ference). He was educated at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cleveland, Myron Herrick Jr. High School, South High School, John Carroll University, Saint Charles College, Baltimore, MD, Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland and North American College, Rome. On 19 December 1953 in the North American College Seminary Chapel, Bishop Martin J. O?Connor ordained him to the priesthood for the service of the Diocese of Cleveland.
Father Hritz?s first assignment for the Diocese of Cleveland was on 1 September 1954 as Assistant Pastor at Saint Therese, Garfield Heights. He also volunteered to teach religion at Regina High School. On 10 June 1959 he was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes, Cleveland to serve as Assistant Pastor. Father Hritz was transferred and appointed Assistant Pastor at Saint Procop, Cleveland on 2 September 1959. On 21 June 1960 he was appointed to the Faculty of Saint John College as a full-time Professor and as Administrator of Saint Adalbert, Cleveland. On 2 February 1961 he took up residence at Saint Mary Seminary until 8 June 1961 when Father Hritz was appointed Chaplain of Holy Family Home in addition to his duties as Professor at Saint John College. In June 1965 he completed his graduate studies at Catholic University of America and returned to teaching at Saint John College. On 12 September 1967 Father Hritz was appointed Assistant Pastor at Saint Malachi, Cleveland in addition to his teaching responsibilities. On 30 September 1969 he was appointed Chaplain of the Sisters of Holy Spirit, Garfield Heights. He also served as Chaplain of Jennings Hall, Garfield Heights. Father Hritz was appointed Pastor at Saint Malachi, Cleveland on 5 July 1973. On 27 April 1975 he appointed Pastor of the newly established Community of Saint Malachi where he served until his retirement on 30 June 1994. During Father Hritz?s many years of dedicated service he also served as Diocesan Liturgy Commission Member, Diocesan Representative to work on the new United States Catechism, Chaplain Newman Apostolate, Cleveland State University, a collaborator on the revision of Elementary Religion course, Diocesan Tribunal Judge, ?ex officio? members of Diocesan Consultors, Prosynodal Judge of Diocesan Tribunal (1983-1985), College of Consultors and as a member of Bishop?s Health Committee on Alcohol and other drug dependencies.
The wake will begin with Vespers celebrated by Bishop A. James Quinn, main celebrant and Father James O?Donnell, homilist, on Wednesday, 10 July in Saint Malachi Church, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland at 3:00 pm and will continue until 9:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 11 July in Saint Malachi Church at 11:00 am. Bishop A. Edward Pevec will be the main celebrant and Father Anthony Schuerger will be the homilist. Interment is Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland.
In accord with the provisions of the Marian Pact, please try to attend and concelebrate the Funeral Liturgy, offer Mass for him as you are able and cause him to be remembered and prayed for in the appropriate public prayers of the Church. May Father Hritz and all our priests, deacons and bishops who have died, live forever in the joy of the Resurrection.
Sincerely in Christ,
Sister Therese Guerin Sullivan, SP, JCL
Chancellor
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