Rev. Michael A. Jarecki

Rev. Michael A. Jarecki died on October 22, 2012, at the St. Benedict Center in Richmond, New Hampshire. He had been in failing health for some time. Michael Alexander Jarecki was born in Turin, New York, on October 6, 1917, to Vincent and Irene (Black) Jarecki in Turin, NY. He attended the Martinsburg District Schools and Lowville Academy until his graduation. In 1936, Michael entered Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, NY, for his minor seminary training. Upon completing his course there, he enrolled in St. Bernard’s Major Seminary in Rochester, NY. Father Jarecki was ordained by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart in the old St. Mary’s Cathedral on June 3, 1944, and offered his first Mass the next day, Trinity Sunday. After ordination, Father was a summer assistant at St. Agnes, Lake Placid, then assistant pastor at Sacred Heart, Massena. In 1954, Fr. Jarecki was made pastor of St. Ann’s, St. Regis Falls and St. Peter’s in Santa Clara. In 1963, he was named pastor of St. Mary’s in Constableville and then, in 1968 pastor of St. Michael’s in Witherbee. In 1973, he was named to the College of Consultors and pastor of St. Martin’s, Port Leyden and St. John’s in Lyons Falls. In 1975, he was appointed Dean of Lewis Deanery. In 1980, prior to his retirement, Father Jarecki was associate pastor in St. Mary’s, Ticonderoga. After his retirement in 1987, Father Jarecki lived in residence in Brushton and then in Constable, NY. During that time, he was also helping groups of Catholics loyal to the Traditional Latin Mass in various locales in New York and New England. Eventually, he devoted much of his time and labor to two apostolates that were dear to his heart: Saint Benedict Center in Richmond, New Hampshire, and the Fatima Center in Constable, NY. Since 1997, Father Jarecki lived full time in Richmond, N.H., with the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (M.I.C.M.) at Saint Benedict Center. When Father was no longer able to take care of the spiritual needs of this community, they felt honored to take care of his physical needs. The current chaplain of the community, Father David Phillipson, administered the Church’s last rites to Father Jarecki in the traditional form two days before his death. Father Jarecki is survived by his brother, Vincent John Jarecki, of Rome, New York, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Father Jarecki will be transported to Port Leyden, New York where he will be waked on Monday, October 29, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Saint Martin Catholic Church, 7108 North Street, Port Leyden, NY 13433. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Terry Ronald LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg at 3:30 PM. There will be a reception at the church afterwards. Burial will be in his family lot at Old Glendale Cemetery.

Father Jarecki will be waked at Saint Stanislaus Church, 80 Richmond Street, Winchester, NH 03470 on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. On Friday, October 26, 2012, an additional viewing will take place in the church at 9:00 AM, followed by the Rosary at 9:30.

The funeral will be a sung Requiem Mass in the traditional Latin Rite, at 10:00 AM at Saint Stanislaus Church 80 Richmond Street, Winchester, NH 03470 (a church of Queen of Peace Parish).