Fr. Jerome Joseph Machlik

Father Jerome J. Machlik entered eternal life on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Fr. Jerry was born to the late Harry and Helen (nee: Sobczynski) Machlik on November 3, 1944, in Detroit Michigan. He attended Saint Stanislaus and Our Lady of Good Counsel grade schools, the Cardinal Mooney Latin School, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, in Detroit, and Saint Johns Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Michigan. He was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on September 19, 1971. Fr. Jerry served as Associate Pastor at Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson, Saint Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights, and Saint Martin de Porres Parish in Warren. In August of 1979 the late John Cardinal Dearden, then Archbishop of Detroit, asked Father to work with the community in Northeast Shelby Township, in order to establish a parish for the growing Catholic population. Saint John Vianney parish was canonically established in October of 1980. A temporary church was completed in the fall of 1984, and served the community until the dedication of the permanent worship space in 1996. In his youth Father Jerry was an avid fisherman and dedicated student. He later added to these loves, scuba diving, training and acquiring his pilots license, attaining a Masters degree in business management, and a state certification in Kitchen Management. He was instrumental in establishing the groundwork for Austin Catholic Academy, in northern Macomb County. He taught the people of Saint John Vianney the art of prayer, hospitality, welcome, and service, following the example Jesus set forth. He was proud of the parishs support of MCREST (Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter), and worked in all aspects of McRest Week each year. Rev. Fr. Jerome Machlik is survived by his sister, Dr. Sharon Machlik, of California, his dog George, and numerous loving cousins, relatives, and friends. Father will lie in state at Saint John Vianney Church, 54045 Schoenherr, between 24 and 25 Mile Roads, in Shelby Township, on Sunday, May 30, 2010, from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, and on Monday, May 31, 2010, from 12 Noon until 9:00 pm, with a Vigil at 7:00 pm. The funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11:00 am, at Saint John Vianney. Celebrating the Liturgy will be His Excellency Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron Archbishop of Detroit. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Saint John Vianney MCREST, and Austin Catholic Academy. Please share memories at his guest book.