VALPARAISO – Father Joseph Michael Pawlowski passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 at the age of 78.
Father Pawlowski was ordained a priest on Sept. 30, 1973 at his home parish, St. Stanislaus Kostka in Michigan City.
The current pastor of the LaPorte County parish, Father Walter Ciesla, knew Father Pawlowski for more than forty years. He recalled how happy Father Pawlowski was for him when he was appointed pastor of St. Stanislaus. In his youth, Father Pawlowski attended St. Stanislaus Kostka School. He was an active altar server and enjoyed assisting at Mass.
“He related to me how challenging it was for him to light the high altar candles as a young server,” Father Ciesla said.
Father Pawlowski attended St. Meinrad College and continued his education at St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. Later, in an interview regarding his 40th priestly ordination, Father Pawlowski said he learned “most everything” about priestly life from outside the seminary. During his seminary years, the future priest worked in a parish and at a halfway house. Those experiences, he said, “helped prepare me.”
Throughout his 52 years in ministry to the Diocese of Gary, Father Pawlowski served at St. Patrick in Chesterton, St. Casimir in Hammond, St. Mary in Griffith, Ss. Peter and Paul in Merrillville, St. Stanislaus in East Chicago, St. Margaret Mary in Hammond, St. Mary of the Lake in Gary, and most recently as pastor of St. Paul in Valparaiso until granted senior status in 2018.
Father Pawlowski also served as vicar general from 1993-1997, 2011-2014, 2015-2016, dean of the Porter-Starke Deanery from 2010-2017, and was appointed to the College of Consultors in 1993 and 2010-2017. He was appointed acting finance manager in 1990.
The former diocesan financial manager, who served at eight parishes, once stated, “I stand on the shoulders of people with experience. That helps you be a better priest.” During his ministry, Father Pawlowski served alongside Fathers Stephen Vrabely, Anthony Balczun and Robert B. Evers and Monsignors Richard Zollinger and Casimir Senderak.
Father Michael Yadron, pastor of St. Thomas More, shared that Father Pawlowski was the associate pastor at St. Mary in Griffith when he was in seminary. He remembered Father Pawlowski and Msgr. Zollinger worked well together and formed a lifelong friendship, adding that Father Pawlowski preached the homily at Msgr. Zollinger’s funeral several years ago.
“Father Pawlowski always had a unique way of explaining things that often had us rolling in laughter,” said Father Yadron. “I shall miss him greatly.”
Father Ciesla recalled in his declining years, Father Pawlowski periodically attended Sunday Mass with his sister and her husband. His sister, a regular communicant, would regularly provide updates of his health.
“Father Pawlowski was the Master of Ceremonies for the 125th celebration of the parish,” Father Ciesla said. “He was very active in diocesan administration, yet anytime we met, Father Joe asked how his home parish was doing. He was a wonderful priest and will be greatly missed.”
The Rite of Reception for Father Pawlowski will take place at St. Paul in Valparaiso on Monday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. Visitation will follow until 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, morning prayer will begin at 10 a.m. until the start of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will immediately follow Mass at St. Paul in Valparaiso.
