Rev. George Bujnak

Father George Bujnak, a retired priest of the Eparchy of Passaic, and a resident of Amity Village, Hazleton, fell asleep in the Lord on September 16, 2021, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton following a brief illness.  Prior to his retirement, he was Pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in McAdoo. 

Father George was born in Coaldale, on March 6, 1935, to Andrew Bujnak and Mary Trudich. Following graduation from Lehighton High School, he entered the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, to pursue studies for the priesthood. He graduated from Duquesne University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. 

After graduation, he continued his theological studies at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary. He received the Order of Reader on February 2, 1963, at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, by Bishop Nicholas T Elko; the Order of Sub-Deacon on December 29, 1963, at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, Passaic, NJ by Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko; the Order of Deacon on August 30, 1964, at St Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Trenton, NJ by Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko. He was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on March 21, 1965, at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Passaic, NJ by Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko. 

After ordination in 1965, Father George was appointed as Assistant Pastor at St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, Hazleton. In 1969 he was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Saint Clair, and Administrator of St. Mary, Brockton. During the course of his priestly ministry, he served the parish communities of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston, and St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Nesquehoning. He was also on the National Federation of Christian Life Communities, Hazleton District. In 2001, he was appointed Pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, McAdoo, where he remained until moving to his current residence of Amity Village in Hazleton in 2016. 

The Office of Funeral for a Priest, Parts 1 and 2, will be celebrated at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, 17 East Blaine St., McAdoo, on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 6 PM. Visitation begins at 3 PM. A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Panachida and Pouring of Oil will be celebrated by Bishop Kurt on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 10 AM. Visitation will begin at 8:30 AM. Interment will follow at the St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Summit Hill. 

The Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo, is assisting with arrangements.

Condolences may be entered, and information is available at www.damianofhinc.com.

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