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Bartkowiak, Rev. Vitalis, O.F.M.
Guardian of St. Stanislaus Friary, Cleveland, 0. Born in Cleveland, 0., Feb. 6, 1909. Attended St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, Teutopolis, Ill. In 1909 joined the Franciscans of the Sacred Heart Province, Philosophy course completed at Our Lady of Angels Friary, Cleveland, Ohio, 1912-14. Made his solemn profession in the Order, June 29, 1913. Theological studies at St. Anthony's Friary, St. Louis, Mo., and Our Lady of Angels Friary, 1914-1918. Ordained in Cleveland, Ohio July 4, 1917. First appointment as pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Island Grove, Ill., and St. Rose of Lima's Church, Montrose, Ill. From 1919 to 1927 he was Chaplain of St. Joseph's Hospital at Memphis, Tenn.; Chaplain of Koch Tubercular Hospital at St. Louis, Mo., 1927-30; transferred as Assistant to Sacred Heart Church, St. Paul, Minn,, 1930-33; Chaplain in the County Hospital at Oak Forest, Ill, 1933-1936. Promoted to the post of Guardian (Superior) of Sacred Heart Friary, Memphis, Tenn.; here he again became chaplain for three years of St. Joseph Hospital. Since 1939 guardian of the community connected with St. Stanislaus Church, B. & M., Cleveland, Ohio, where he also acts as Assistant in the Parish.
Address: 3649 E. 65th St., Cleveland, Ohio.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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