Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2009 / Fr. Ugolik remembered for seeing the good in people
Fr. Ugolik remembered for seeing the good in people
by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published July 24, 2009
Detroit - Perseverance is what one friend of Fr. Richard Ugolik said he'll remember following his death July 16.
"Even with sickness, he persevered until he knew the Lord would be calling him," said Fr. John Hall, a retired priest of the archdiocese. Fr. Ugolik was 81.
Fr. Ugolik "was a person very much concerned about his people, and about people," he said. "He was always thoughtful of people, seeing good in them."
Fr. Hall said the two men had became good friends about five or six years ago. Fr. Hall looked after Fr. Ugolik when he was ill, and would travel to his home so the two could celebrate Mass. When he was well, Fr. Ugolik would celebrate Mass during the week or on the weekends, mostly at St. Kieran Parish, Shelby Township, near his home in Washington Township.
"As long as he was able to get out, he would go and say Mass," Fr. Hall said. "He knew his limitations."
Fr. Hall was a year behind Fr. Ugolik at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, but remembers crossing paths a few times over the years. He remembers that while Fr. Ugolik was serving at St. Bartholomew Parish, Detroit, "he made the house a pleasant place to live," especially for the emeritus pastor there.
Over the past few years, a group of retired priests would get together every Wednesday in the summer for golf, and although Fr. Ugolik didn't golf, he'd still meet them afterward for dinner. In the winter, he'd join them for lunch, Fr. Hall remembered.
Fr. Ugolik had been ill for some time, with heart problems and a few strokes, and had been confined to bed for about a month before his death. Recently, when Fr. Hall took communion to him, he said he didn't know if it was Holy Communion or viaticum, the Eucharist received by the dying, Fr. Hall said.
Fr. Ugolik was born Jan. 25, 1928, to Lottie and Alex Ugolik, in New Britain, Conn., where he lived until the age of 5. He attended St. Andrew School, Detroit, and later attended high school and college at Orchard Lake and St. John Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.
He was ordained June 5, 1954 by Cardinal Edward Mooney and celebrated his first Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Grand Rapids.
He served as associate pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish, Detroit (1954-59); associate pastor of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, Hamtramck (1959-64); associate pastor of St. Christopher Parish, Detroit (1964-66); associate pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Detroit (1966-68); chaplain of the Daughters of Isabella St. Patricia Circle 926 (1968-72); pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Detroit, (1972-95); and administrator of Corpus Christi Parish, Detroit (1977-95).
He became a senior priest of the archdiocese Aug. 1, 1995.
Visitation was to take place from 3-9 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at St. Kieran Parish, 53600 Mound Road, Shelby Township. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m. Friday morning, with funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Grand Rapids.
Fr. Ugolik is survived by his cousins, Gail Carvlin and Joan Rozegnal; and by his uncle, Walter Rozegnal. He is preceded in death by his brother, Robert.
Condolences to Ms. Gail Carvlin, 57088 Copper Creek Drive, Washington Township, 48094-2822.
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