Obituary: Father J. Maciej Melaniuk, retired priest of the Diocese

Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate a Memorial Mass for the repose of the soul of Father J. Maciej Melaniuk, a retired priest of the Diocese, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, South Plainfield. Father Melaniuk died Sept. 9 in Poland. He was 72 years old.

Father Melaniuk, a native of Poland, attended Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Mich., and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Metuchen on May 31, 1986. He served at Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield; St. Stephen Parish, Perth Amboy; St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield; Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville; St. Mary of Ostrabrama Parish, South River, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater. In 1998 he was named pastor of St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish, South River, and in 2002 was named pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, South Plainfield. He became senior priest there in 2016, retiring from active ministry in 2021.

Father Melaniuk’s funeral Mass was celebrated in Poland on Sept. 14. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Melaniuk that he may find eternal happiness in the presence of the Risen Lord.