Fr. Edward J. Prus

Rev. Fr. Edward J. Prus, a beloved Catholic priest, passed away on March 11, 2023, at the age of 93. He was born on May 15, 1929, in River Rouge, Michigan, to the late Stanley and Mary. He was preceded in death by his sister, Stasia. Nephew of the late Mary Jankowski, cousin of the late Leonard (the late Pat) Bloch, Pat Brown, the late Mary Ann Maki and Jerry Bloch. Fr. Prus was baptized at St. John Cantius in Detroit on May 29, 1929, and received his First Communion and Confirmation at Our Lady of Lourdes, River Rouge. He graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes in June of 1947, after which he worked at All Metal Product's Toy Factory and Detroit Edison Co. construction. In 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country while stationed in Verdun, France. After his discharge from the Army, Fr. Prus attended and graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary and later St. John's Provincial Seminary. On June 3, 1961, he was ordained a Catholic Priest at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral by Archbishop John F. Dearden. Fr. Prus served at various assignments throughout his priesthood. He served as an associate Pastor at St. Philip Neri, Detroit and as a Spiritual Director, English Teacher, and Religion Teacher at Cardinal Mooney High School Seminary. From the mid to late 1960s, he served as a weekend associate at St. Cyprian Parish, Riverview. At the same time, he was an associate at the National Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak after being assigned in 1961. From 1972 to 1987, he served as the Pastor at the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak. Fr. Prus then served in the Detroit mission in Recife, Brazil, Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Parish with Fr. Robert K. Singelyn and Fr. Harry Sikorsi until 1991. After returning from Brazil, he served as Pastor of St. Raphael Parish, Garden City until 1999 when he was granted senior priest status. Fr. Prus resided at St. James Parish, Ferndale assisting at many parishes in the Archdiocese and ministering to the people of God until his death. Some years before his passing Fr. Prus put a piece of paper in his typewriter and typed a note for this day. In true Fr. Prus fashion, it reads: "I've enjoyed all of my assignments as a priest and I'm grateful to God for my whole life. I've been blessed with a great family and appreciation for family values. I'm grateful to my parents and family for the gift of my Faith in God. God has called me to do things that I never thought I could do. I've had the opportunity to be a parish priest and be blessed by the faith life of the people I was sent to minister to. I had the opportunity to be a teacher and learn from the students I was sent to teach. I've been involved in the formation of seminarians and young men preparing for the priesthood and diaconate, and came away inspired by their dedication and determination. I've had the opportunity to serve God's people in another country and grown to appreciate another culture and my own. I've had the chance to be a Pastor, and learn from the people of God how to pastor God's people. I think that the archbishop appoints us to be pastors, but it is the people we serve who make us pastors. They challenge us to minister to their needs. I thank God for all the wonderful priests that I've had the opportunity to serve with; Msgr. Glemet, Our Lady of Lourdes; Fr. Howard Hungerfor, St. Patrick, Carleton; Fr. Jim Hayes, Pastor of Shrine; Fr. Charles Ulenberg, St. Philip Neri. These Pastors were powerful examples of pastoring priests. Wherever I've been I've been blessed by the people of God who have been God's hand shaping my priesthood and blessing me. In lieu of flowers please contribute to your home parish for their needs, or to the IHM Sisters, or the Felician Sisters." Fr. Prus' family, friends and fellow Clergy will gather to pay their respects at Our Mother of Perpetual Help -St. James Church 241 Pearson St., Ferndale, Michigan on Wednesday, March 15th, from 2-9 p.m., with a 5 p.m. Rosary and a 7 p.m. Vigil Service. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 16th, with instate at 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, 2100 Twelve Mile Rd., Royal Oak, Michigan. Interment will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Carleton, Michigan. Fr. Edward J. Prus was a faithful servant of God and a beloved member of the Catholic community. He will be missed by so many. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Fr. Edward J. Prus

May 15, 1929 - March 11, 2023