The wake for Father John G. Vrana will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. June 14 in St. Michael Church, 6540 Brecksville Road, Independence. Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will be the presider and Father Peter Colletti will be the homilist.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa will be the celebrant at the funeral Mass, 11 a.m. June 15 in St. Michael Church. Homilist will be Father Phillip Racco.
Father Vrana, 81, died June 7.
He was born on May 20, 1941 to the late George and Anna (Mazur) Vrana. Father Vrana was educated at St. Ignatius and SS. Philip & James schools, both in Cleveland, and St. Charles Borromeo School in Parma. He attended Borromeo Seminary High School and College in Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 20, 1967 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Father Vrana’s first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Cleveland. On Sept. 2, 1969, he was assigned to pursue theology studies at St. Paul College, Ottawa, Canada. He was assigned to the faculty of Saint Mary Seminary, Wickliffe on Sept. 1, 1970. In the fall of 1972, he attended the University of Louvain in Belgium.
He was appointed delegate for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement on June 6, 1975. On June 18, 1981, he was appointed spiritual director, Saint Mary Seminary, Wickliffe.
Father Vrana was appointed administrator pro tem of St. John Neumann Parish in Strongsville on Nov. 1, 1989. He was transferred on Feb. 1, 1990 to serve as administrator at Holy Name Parish in Cleveland. On June 18, 1991, Father Vrana was appointed parochial vicar of St. Ladislas Parish in Westlake.
He was named pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Maple Heights on Nov. 11, 1992 and was transferred on Feb. 15, 1999 to serve as parochial vicar at St. Gabriel Parish in Concord Township. Father Vrana was appointed parochial vicar of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Parma on June 14, 2005 and he was named administrator of the parish on Nov. 9, 2007.
Father Vrana was transferred on Nov. 9, 2009 to serve as administrator at St. Ladislas Parish in Westlake. He was appointed parochial vicar on April 1, 2010, and on June 8, 2010, he was transferred to serve as parochial vicar at St. Jude Parish in Elyria. On Sept. 6, 2013, Father Vrana was appointed parochial vicar at St. Michael Parish in Independence. He was named senior parochial vicar of St. Michael’s on June 9, 2015, and during this assignment also served as director of spiritual formation, effective Aug. 6, 2015.
In addition, Father Vrana served as presbyteral convener for the Lake/Geauga District 2003-2006, was a member at-large of Presbyteral Council 2005-2010 and served in 2005 as a member of the College of Consultors.
He retired on Aug. 30. 2016.
Those who knew him said Father Vrana dedicated his life to helping others grow closer to the Lord through his teaching, spiritual direction and pastoral care of many. He cherished his priesthood and touched the lives of countless faithful through his kindness, compassion and tender heart.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland.