P. Steve Pujdak

Padre Steve Pujdak nació el 2 de agosto de 1943 y tenía 82 años. Hizo sus primeros votos el 8 de diciembre de 1962 y fue ordenado sacerdote el 31 de agosto de 1969.

Actualmente vivía en Pinellas Park (Estados Unidos de America). Pertenecía a la Provincia USA.

A tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu. (Sl 31,6)

Fr. Steve Pujdak, SCJ, 82, died early today, November 12, in Dunedin, FL (near Pinellas Park). He had been struggling with a variety of medical issues for several months (including AFib and a fractured back), both in the hospital and in rehabilitation/nursing care. 

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Fr. Steve professed his first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) in 1962. Among those in his novitiate class: Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, and Fr. Pat Lloyd, SCJ.

Fr. Steve’s initial studies were at the Dehonians’ seminaries in Honesdale, PA (Kilroe) and Sacred Heart in Hales Corners, WI. He later went on to the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, where he earned a Ph.D. and an STD in theology.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969.

Fr. Steve’s first full-time assignments were in academics, initially serving as a professor at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology (1975-77) and at Marquette University in Milwaukee (1977-82). In 1983 he joined provincial administration as planning director and then as provincial secretary.

In 1988 he moved to the Rio Grande Valley, where he ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Raymondville, TX, from 1988-2004. He then moved to Pinellas Park, FL, where he assisted with the province retirement community there and did support ministry in the diocese. In recent years was a fully retired member of the community.

Skilled in sign language, Fr. Steve also ministered to the deaf.