Fr. Mieczysław Fidyka OMI (1987 ~ 1989)

Fr. Mitchell Francis Fidyka (Mieczyslaw Franciszek Fidyka) was born December 28, 1953, in Katowice, Poland. He was ordained June 14, 1981, in Obra, Poland as priest for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. In 1999, Father Fidyka was incardinated as priest for the Archdiocese of Edmonton. Father Mitch is survived by his family in Poland and Germany: siblings, Jerzy (Jolanta), Lidia (Jan), Zbigniew (Krystyna), and Aniela (Miroslaw); as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In the Archdiocese, Father Fidyka began as associate pastor at Holy Rosary parish in 1987. He then served Our Lady Queen of Poland parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Bashaw, St. Augustine parish in Ponoka and as pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Wetaskiwin (including Our Lady of Seven Sorrows parish in Maskwacis and St. Theresa parish in Ma-Me-O Beach). From 2005 on, Father Fidyka served at Holy Family parish in St. Albert and, in Edmonton, St. Michael’s-Resurrection and Assumption parishes. Father Fidyka also served as dean and vice-dean of the Camrose and Edmonton South deaneries. He was also a member of the Archdiocesan clergy personnel committee and the College of Consultors to Archbishop Richard Smith. In 2018, Father Fidyka was appointed pastor at St. Thomas More parish in Edmonton. He led the efforts to secure a site, and to begin to fundraise, for a future church in southwest Edmonton to be built over the next 15 years. Father Fidyka also led efforts to support the rebuilding and restoration of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples after a fire in 2020. In February 2022, Father Fidyka took a leave due to illness. He retired on May 1, 2022. Father Fidyka had been living in Edmonton at the Villa Vianney residence for retired priests. He died January 28, 2023, at the Villa Vianney residence for retired priests. He was 69. Vigil Prayers for Father Fidyka will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Basilica, 10044 – 113 Street, Edmonton. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the same location at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023 with Archbishop Smith as Presider. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.