The Rev. Francis Paul Straka, Pastor, Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Northampton, died at his residence on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at the age of 60.
Born in Reading, Father Straka was the son of Frank Straka of Reading and the late Mary A. (Ohrin) Straka. Father Straka attended the Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish School and was a graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School. He attended Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales (DeSales University), Center Valley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology; Brisson Seminary; and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he received a Master’s of Divinity in Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1990 by the Most Rev. Thomas J. Welsh, then-Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Father Straka’s first priestly assignment was Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Hungary Church, Northampton, which was followed by Parochial Vicar, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Hellertown; Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Church, West Reading; and Parochial Vicar, St. Ann Church, Emmaus. His first pastoral assignment was Pastor, Holy Ghost Church, Bethlehem, which was followed by Pastor, Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Northampton. During the course of his priestly ministry he served as the Spiritual Advisor for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of the Diocese of Allentown and as a member of the Board of Directors for Holy Family Villa for Priests, Bethlehem. He was a life member of Branch 175, First Catholic Slovak Union, Reading.
SURVIVORS
In addition to his father; siblings: Michael S., Denver, Colo., Maryann (William) Bennethum of Spring Township, Gregory (June), Joseph (Julie), Catherine (Timothy) Jones, all of Exeter Township; 13 nieces and nephews.
SERVICE
A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Straka will be celebrated at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 2181 Washington Ave., Northampton, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at 11 a.m. The Main Celebrant will be His Excellency, The Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, Bishop Emeritus of Allentown. Calling hours will be held Sunday, Jan. 8 in Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church, 2181 Washington Ave., Northampton, from 5 to 7 p.m., and on Tuesday, Jan. 10, before Mass, from 9 to 11 a.m. A Vigil Service for Father Straka will be held Sunday, Jan. 8 in Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church, 2181 Washington Ave., Northampton, at 7 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Yenushosky, Dean, Lehigh Deanery, and Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Whitehall, will preside. The Homilist will be the Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Radocha, Pastor, St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, Easton, and Dean, Northampton Deanery. Interment will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Reading. Online memorial tributes may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com. The Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown, is in charge of arrangements.
CONTRIBUTIONS
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Assumption of the BVM Church, 2181 Washington Ave., Northampton, PA 18067.
