Rev. John A. Sokolski, OMI, born in Chicago, Illinois on August 8, 1929, died in San Antonio, Texas on January 24, 2016, at the age of 86 years. Fr. Sokolski entered St. Peter's Novitiate on May 31, 1948, in Mission, Texas and professed vows as a member of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on May 31, 1949. Fr. Sokolski completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the DeMazenod Scholasticate, now Oblate School of Theology, in San Antonio, Texas. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1955, at St. Mary's Church in San Antonio, by Archbishop Robert E. Lucey, DD. Fr. Sokolski earned a Master of Arts degree in Latin in 1963 at the University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame, Indiana.

Fr. Sokolski's first assignment was as Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Brownsville, Texas. He then served as Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Del Rio, Texas. Fr. Sokolski was a Professor at St. Anthony's Junior Seminary in San Antonio, Texas for fifteen years. He then served as Associate Pastor at St. Ann's Parish in Midland, Texas before returning to St. Anthony's Junior Seminary as Superior. Fr. Sokolski also served as Director at St. Joseph's Retreat House, now Oblate Renewal Center, in San Antonio before moving to Christian Holiday House in Dickinson, Texas as a Team Member. He served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Jude Shrine in New Orleans, Louisiana, then at St. Mary's Church in San Antonio, before returning to Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Jude Shrine to serve as Pastor. Fr. Sokolski then served as Superior at Oblate Madonna Residence in San Antonio, Texas before retiring at Oblate Madonna Residence in 2002.

Fr. Sokolski was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna (Nieglos) Sokolski, his brother Joe Richard, and his sisters, Grace and Ann Theresa. In addition to his Oblate family, Fr. Sokolski is survived by three nephews. Fr. Sokolski will be remembered with respect and esteem by his Oblate brothers and all the people who knew him.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel at 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78216. A Vigil Prayer Service will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Following cremation, there will be an interment in Oblate Cemetery at a later date.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS