Pinkowski Files

Rev. John S. Dunajski
May 6, 1904 -
Roman Catholic Priest
Father John S. Dunajski, the oldest son of deeply devout and patriotic parents, Anthony and Josephine, was born on May 6, 1904, in Brooklyn, New York. There he pursued his elementary education at Our Lady of Consolation Parochial School; later he completed his secondary studies at St. John's Preparatory School, Brooklyn, in 1923. Four years later he received his Baccalaureate Degree from St. John's University in 1927.
Reared from childhood by devout and God-fearing parents, he felt the call to the priesthood. He then entered Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary; Orchard Lake, Michigan, for his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia, May 30, 1931.
As a young curate his first assignment was to St. Stanislaus Parish in Minersville, Pennsylvania. The rest of his eight years as an assistant he spent in the following parishes: St. Mary's, Conshohocken; St. Ladislaus, Philadelphia; Sacred Heart, Bridgeport; St. Adalbert's, Philadelphia; and as chaplain of the Boys' Orphanage Home in West Conshohocken and now in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
On September 15, 1939, His Eminence Cardinal Dougherty transferred the energetic young assistant to St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Millmont, Reading, as an administrator to the ailing Rev. Michael Strzemplewicz. Upon the death of Father Strzemplewicz which occurred on May 3, 1940, Cardinal Dougherty entrusted the parish to the by now experienced administrator and appointed him Pastor of St. Anthony's.
Now the many sided administrative talents and abilities of the new pastor began to be displayed in an independent light. The parish was run down and neglected in need of many repairs, materially and spiritually. The energetic new pastor did not become disheartened, he refused to become discouraged by any and all adversities and with the endurance learned in the hard school of lite, he applied himself to his task.
With great enthusiasm he worked, collected, economized and gathered funds together. He not only gathered funds together but also gathered the people together, to strengthen his flock because they began to drift away before his coming. He worked diligently to gain back the fallen-away Roman Catholic Poles that joined up with the National Polish Church. Father Dunajski, who gained for himself the universal love and esteem of his parishioners, found their understanding and support as they looked upon his labors. They supported the picnics, social events and other affairs arranged for the purpose of securing funds for the parish church.
In the midst of this hardworking community there now stands a beautiful, modem school and auditorium; a small but beautifully decorated church with our Patron Saint, St. Anthony in a Grotto, and an enlarged and reconstructed rectory, which grace the surroundings in Millmont. With pride our Jubilarian can look upon the fruits of his ceaseless labors with joy and happiness. His parishioners witness that their sacrifices have not been in vain.
The complex of parish buildings today represents a great investment amounting to thousands upon thousands of dollars. For a long time to come the parish of Saint Anthony will owe its unending thanks to its Pastor, Father Dunajski for his unceasing planning and work. How much difficulty he faced in this work, with what hindrances he had to struggle, the older parishioners and parish founders know well and with this knowledge they prized his work all the more.
While it seems that the Pastor has been engaged in these external works, these are only a few and a symbol of what his objectives always were and are. He has always been aware of the fact that he is a priest of Christ taken from among men to console souls, administer Sacraments and to sanctify individual souls and hence the community.
Humble, exemplary, full of priestly dedication, remarkable as an administrator and as a builder, intense in his patriotism to both his native and paternal lands, these are but part of the admirable qualities of our Jubilarian.
Thus in this celebration of the 50th Anniversary of our Parish and in his 25th Anniversary as Pastor of Saint Anthony's Roman Catholic Polish Church, we join together in heartfelt prayer to Almighty God to keep him with us for many years to come, and to grant him the health and strength necessary to add to His greater glory and for the salvation of our souls.
GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMITTEE
From: St. Anthony R.C. Church, Reading (Millmont), PA, Golden Jubilee 1914-1964 (book) including Rev. John S. Dunajski 25th Anniversary 1939-1964