Obituary of Father Michael W. Twardzik

Father Michael W. Twardzik, who served for many years as an assisting priest at Holy Family Catholic Community in Steuben and Livingston counties, died Aug. 13, 2024, at Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital. He was 79 years old. Father Twardzik was a native of Pittsfield, MA born September 16, 1944 the son of Michael and Helen (Packlick) Twardzik. Father Mike was a very intelligent and well-schooled man. Academia was a considerable strength. He was able to communicate a message to all ages and walks of life. Father Mike could link current events with all of its modern technology to different periods in history and still be able to deliver it in a clear, effective manner to everyone. He was a great story teller; children loved the family mass as he would talk to and include the children. Some fond memories of Father Mike include his giving of chocolate coins at Christmas, his love of Oplatki (Christmas Wafer), Polish Bread and of course at Halloween he could be seen dressed up as a character from the beloved Harry Potter story. Father Mike was also fond of the ceremony surrounding the Shofar Horn. The shofar is reminiscent of God's revelation at Sinai, which was accompanied by the sounding of a shofar. As stated Father Mike was very intelligent and well-schooled. He graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Mich., and attended seminary at the American College in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Springfield on July 12, 1970, in Pittsfield. Father Twardzik spent the first three years of his priesthood in brief parish assignments and at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. He returned to Michigan from 1973-75, teaching at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake. He again did parish ministry in the Springfield Diocese from 1975-76 before serving as campus minister at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, from 1976-80. He then was secretary to Bishop Joseph Maguire of Springfield from 1980-83. Father Twardzik returned to Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary from 1983-87 as academic dean. The following 18 years saw him serve pastorates at St. Stanislaus Parish in South Deerfield, Mass. (1987-97), and St. Francis, Notre Dame and Our Lady of Mercy parishes in North Adams, Mass. (1997-2005). In addition, Father Twardzik was Springfield’s diocesan director of liturgy and chairman of justice and peace. In 2005, Father Twardzik began a sabbatical at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, Livingston County. As his sabbatical ended, Father Twardzik successfully petitioned to remain in the Diocese of Rochester, and in 2006, he began at Holy Family Catholic Community. The four-church parish comprises Sacred Heart, Perkinsville; St. Pius V, Cohocton; St. Mary, Dansville; and St. Joseph, Wayland. Father Twardzik’s official tenure as Holy Family’s parochial vicar concluded in June 2020 when he reached senior status. However, he continued to assist at Holy Family as needed. Normally a man of many words, Father Mike was quoted as saying, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the parish.” Calling hours for Father Twardzik will be on Tuesday, August 20th at the Holy Family Catholic Community, St. Joseph’s Church, Wayland, 206 Fremont Street, 3:00-6:30 p.m. with prayers at 6.30 p.m. His Lordship, Bishop Salvatore Matano will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, August 21st at 10:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Community, Saint Mary’s Church, Dansville, 40 Elizabeth Street Church. The burial will be at St. Pius Cemetery at Cohocton followed by a reception at Sturmer Hall. May he rest in Eternal Peace!