Louis Petruha, OFM Cap., 1939-2019

Date of birth:  February 20, 1939
Place of Birth:  Pittsburgh, PA
Investiture:  July 13, 1959
Temporary Profession:  July 14, 1960
Perpetual Profession: July 14, 1961
Ordination:  October 24, 1965
Date of death:  March 31, 2019
Burial: St. Augustine Cemetery, Millvale, PA

You know, Lou, the cupcakes and the tigers are all grown up now, and we all have gotten a little older along the way. But the buildings still have your mark and your memories in them. And I tell you that today it's really hard to keep our socks up. We will try not to be sad because it's ended but happy because it was. But for now, my friend, it's time to go. – Karen Roenigk, Funeral Eulogy, April 2019

As Karen, his secretary and go-to fixer at St. Joseph in Cabot, PA, reminded us during her remembrance of our brother Louis Petruha at his Funeral Mass, Lou taught us so much through his Lou-isms, those quick shorthand comments he used to categorize life and bring a smile to our faces:

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Karen’s heartfelt words captured Lou: he was an endearing, witty and loving brother, never haughty or pretentious and always fashioned himself “one of the guys.” He loved being with people, making us at ease and making us think, too.

Born on February 20, 1939, and raised in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA, John Paul Petruha is remembered by his family as a faithful altar server at his parish, St. Mary of the Assumption on 57th Street, not far from the Capuchin friars on 37th. His parents John and Anna (Fesco) Petruha were part of a “mixed marriage” in those years sensitive to denominations and nationalities. His father was of Russian heritage and a member of the Russian Orthodox Church. He attended Mass regularly and was always supportive of his son’s desire to become a friar. He adopted the Catholic faith before his death. His mother was of Slovak descent which made St. Mary’s a natural fit.

As a youth, young John would ride his bicycle around to deliver papers and sometimes take his young nieces and nephew with him. One niece wrote that “he was a fast driver and liked to make those sharp curves to scare us! He always walked us kids up 57th St. and told us to hurry, because he had to get the papers delivered. We were in the 1st and 2nd grade, but he treated us to candy at the local store on Stanton Avenue before going home.” John’s sister, Genevieve (Klos), often told the story of him and his friends setting a hillside in Stanton Heights on fire so they could see the fire trucks come! Hopefully, no one will be pressing charges!    

After graduation from his parish elementary school John received the support of his pastor Fr. Matthew Kebe to enter St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA, to study with the Capuchins. Louis’s mother was happy about her son’s desire to become a priest, but she asked him at one point if he should consider becoming a diocesan priest. John replied that he wanted to be a good Capuchin priest or not a priest at all.

His years at St. Fidelis were good ones for him. The faculty often framed him as “average” academically, but he was always in the “outstanding” category for personal responsibility and sensitivity to classmates. Those people-qualities led him through the six years of education necessary before entering the Capuchin novitiate, taking on the habit of the Order and the Religious name of Br. Louis, after his second year of college in 1959.

Louis returned to the college seminary in Herman to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy before beginning his Theology studies at Capuchin College in Washington, DC in 1962. On October 24, 1965, he was among the first men to be ordained to the priesthood in the newly completed St. Anthony Chapel at St. Fidelis Seminary along with classmates Roger White, OFM Cap., Alex Alexandrunas, OFM Cap., and a number of brothers who preceded him in death. They completed work on their Master’s Degree in Religious Education at Capuchin College the following year.

After an initial assignment at the novitiate community in 1966 as the “lay brother instructor,” Lou and the leadership knew that a parish assignment would be best for him. His five years as parochial vicar in Dover, OH, and his 3 years in Cumberland, MD’s Ss. Peter & Paul parish, whet his appetite for life among “ordinary” men and women. He was a natural. Louis loved being a priest. His abiding passion for parish ministry was reflected back to him through the affection and cooperation of his parishioners.

Lou was among the first friars to advocate a regular meeting of the “parishmen” to highlight their unique role in the life of the Province and to counteract a perceived imbalance of influence on the part of friars who worked in the formation of students. He contributed to a discussion of the parish friars on the Pastor-Associate relationship in 1972 and wrote:

I think working in a parish involves more than just priests. I think it also involves the sisters and the lay people working with you: those who are coordinating a CCD program, the lay people teaching in the CCD program, the men and women teaching in your high school and grade school, the parish council, and other people who are dealing in any way with the parish. All of these have to sit down, discuss, think over and hack out your priorities….I think the pastor should be the leader of a team in so far as he is the one who is making sure that everyone else is doing his work. Everyone can't work independently. People can't just develop their own thing. Neither the pastor nor the associate can do only what he is interested in and not care about anything else….My understanding of the parish in the light of Vatican II is changing all the time, and because it is changing, my ways of dealing with others are going to have to change constantly.

An unexpected “change” occurred in 1975 when the needs of the Province called Louis to formation work among the student friars in Theology in Washington, DC. He served for two years as Spiritual Director of the student community before being asked to undertake the role as Guardian and Formation Director in 1977.  Why assign a friar so in love with parish ministry to the internal work of formation?

As was true for many of the friar-guardians at Cap College (and the list is long), the job can be a thankless one. There is no doubt Lou was hesitant about taking on the assignment. A little over a year before his death, he reflected on that time, 40 years past, and recalled how he felt as he commented on Admonition IX of St. Francis:

Humility, with Obedience, is a key factor for the humble friar. It may not be easy and require a ‘dying and rising’ attitude in us to find peace. I found this to be true for me when asked to go to Capuchin College as a spiritual director. I knew nothing about this aspect of our life or what I was supposed to do. But it turned out to be a true blessing for me in so many ways. Likewise, my appointment to be guardian of Capuchin College was equally painful. Not so much because I didn’t think I could do the job, but because so many friars thought I was the wrong person for it. It was a real ‘ego’ blow to me. In the end, I thought I did a respectable job during some trying times. Nevertheless, in both situations I was blessed.

And indeed, they were both “blessed” and “trying” times in the late ‘70s. Balancing the growing independence and freedom demanded by a new generation of student friars with senior resident friars who feared the destruction of all things ‘Catholic’ and ‘Capuchin’ after the Vatican Council, this “pastoral” man was the right choice to work through a changing culture and a changing Church and Order. He brought a pastor’s ear and a perspective that was not, by nature, academically rooted. His challenges to friars were never based on a learned set of principles and pre-ordained formulas. Lou eased anyone’s anger or upset with his “Hey, guy” warmth and his simple insights into our Franciscan life together. He was deeply committed to his “get real” philosophy and to a community life that works with and through the differences among us – and he was committed to be a brother under all circumstances.

In his reflection on Francis’ Admonition  XV, he wrote:

Sometimes, debates leave a ‘bad taste in our mouths,’ and we can’t wait until matters clear up. I don’t like to leave a disagreement or something even more intense, like hurt feelings. To me that is mistake. Instead I want to clarify the argument so that we can leave in peace and not hold grudges. I need to bring peace to a situation and even to apologize if I feel that necessary. I don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s hurt. That is the way I am. But I think behind this attitude is that I don’t want to have enemies or people who will not like me. I know I need to be liked and to have peace in my heart. Many times, I will even walk away from disagreements. This is my fleeing attitude when I feel it is right.

It was Louis who conceived and implemented outside ministries for the friar students with the firm conviction that friars, prior to solemn vows, become familiar with the friars of the Province. Summer ministries in the friaries and parishes became a policy, and a “year out” of theological studies in the “real world” after one’s first year of theology was attempted during his time.

After his work in formation, the pastoral man finally became a Pastor and would remain so for the remainder of his life in ministry: first at St. Augustine Parish, Pittsburgh, PA (1980-1989) and followed by St. Joseph Parish in Cabot, PA (1989-2000). After a sabbatical year in celebration of his 25th Anniversary of his Ordination in 2000, he shepherded St. Joseph Parish in York, PA, for his longest tenure (2001-2015).

Lou would not want anyone to imagine that he was an obsessive worker-bee, however. He loved to recreate, to relax among friends and family and to play golf. Again, in his reflections on the Admonitions (XIII), he makes that clear:

I can’t do [mortification]. Never could. I do not like to fast or offer things up even though at times I do. On the other hand, my thoughts and actions are to enjoy what is given to me. Not a very good admission to be sure. But currently, I simply find self-imposed mortification very hard, always did even though I am sometimes bothered by my lack of it, especially when it come to fasting, not so much from food, but rather from a drink or two or my smoking (I think I have addictions to these vices, even though they are controlled).

His grand-niece Marissa knew even as a young girl that “my Uncle was easy-going to a fault, and there were many times that he would be passing through Philly and would call me, and with no advanced warning say ‘Hey! I’m about 20 minutes away. What are you doing right now? How about we grab lunch?’ I have so many fond memories of going to a ‘local color’ spot (his favorites) and grabbing a burger and a beer with him.  Often these times resulted in a mad dash to drop everything, even in the middle of the workday, and meet him, but they always lit up my day and are some of my absolute fondest memories I have of time spent with him.”

His niece Monica Klos remembered: “My uncle went on vacations (Myrtle Beach, Disney, Hilton Head) with my family….On these vacations, we still attended Mass together, and my uncle usually liked to sit in the pew with all of us. My niece Marissa often went to daily Mass with my uncle and then treated him to breakfast afterwards. He wasn’t much for the actual beach and sun, but loved to read and reflect, play golf, spend time on the balcony or in the Jacuzzi.  He also loved talking to people.”

Karen Roenigk (right) reminisced in her eulogy: “He was a take-charge guy and loved parties. Need I say more? I remember one Christmas Eve Fr. Lou called to see what I was doing. He went on to ask if I could prepare a little something for after the 10 PM Mass – maybe invite the altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, choir and any other people who wanted to come to the friary for a little party. He said to ‘just make it simple — a variety of cookies, little nut breads, maybe some wine, beer and some fruit and cheese’ and if I could get some of those wings that he liked, ‘that would be perfect.’ I was nudged. You know that little tap on the shoulder that goes straight to your brain and makes you say, Yes, I will do it? He was the master of nudging. I spent the next hour rounding up cookies and appetizers - and the wings!”

Lou just couldn’t help being around people and see them enjoying themselves and each other’s company.

His annual vacations with fellow friar-friends were essential for him and a much needed toxin for his spirits. His trips abroad to various spots, Europe and the Holy Land inclusive, were always something he (and his friar companions) looked forward to. And, yes, he loved golf, too, on his “holy days of obligation.”

Yet, all this talk of fun was coupled with something just about everyone else also knew about Louis: he was a man of prayer. His brother-in-law, John Mazurana, writes: “Besides Fr. Louis, the pastor, there was the behind-the-scenes Fr. Louis, the prayerful person.  Many of his priest friends would always comment on the long-devoted time he spent praying and reading Scripture.  We saw it first hand on vacations. This prayer time was often when inspiration came on how to approach a problem.”

Whether it was in church, on vacation or at meetings with friars, Lou could be found taking time for prayer. With his hands coupled and head bowed, he cherished his time with the Lord and the opportunity to gain perspective and strength.

As the effects of age began to take their toll during his last years in York, Lou recognized the need to step back from full-time ministry in which he had so heavily invested himself for so many years and accepted the position of Senior Priest at Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Cumberland, MD, in 2015. There, he continued his priestly ministry until his medical complications intervened. It was frustrating for him as his ailments slowed him down and impinged on his spontaneity. Relationships with the local fraternity and with friends, friars and family continued to be his anchor.

Louis’ death was unexpected for friends, family and friars alike. Friars and members of the family talked on the phone periodically with him about his worsening heart condition which landed him in UPMC Shadyside Hospital with plans for a pacemaker. None had any idea that he would go into a downward spiral.

His sister Genevieve was ill and weak during Lou’s final days, but one of their last conversations assured her that he was recovering in the hospital after receiving the pacemaker. Lou himself was very hopeful for recovery and even told her that he was able to walk down the hall without problems.

Sadly, his weakened heart precipitated organ failure in his final seven days. Lou was sedated as his earthly pilgrimage reached its end. On March 31, 2019, the day of his death, he was surrounded by family and friends, and prayers were being said by his fellow friars as he took his final breath.

The body of our brother Louis was received at Saint Augustine Church in Pittsburgh Friday, April 5th, and his Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there on Saturday, April 6th. Provincial Minister Tom Betz, OFM Cap., was the main celebrant and friend and companion, Paul Kuppe, OFM Cap., offered the homily according to Lou’s wishes. As noted above, Karen Roenigk offered a eulogy of Thanksgiving at the Mass, and was joined by Lou’s friend & golf-buddy, Lou Pioli. Mr. Pioli pondered the timing of his death:

Even in Fr. Louis's death on March 31, 2019, he continued to be our example during this Lenten Season. His life passed into the hands of the Lord on Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent  and 21 days before Easter. Isn't it coincidental that he should leave us on this particular day? Why? Because, even in death, he was still teaching us, preaching to us. Laetare means “Rejoice.”

Meditating on Admonition V of St. Francis, our brother Lou offered his insights into St. Francis’ exhortation that “No one should boast in himself, but rather glory in the cross of the Lord.” One year before his death, Lou offered this:

Francis is so impressed with the humility of Jesus by his birth, coming into our world as we are, and giving himself completely to the Father by his death on the cross, that our lives seem insignificant in comparison . . . Humility is no easy thing to achieve since it goes against our tendency of pride and accomplishment. What it takes is a determination to be humble in the face of God’s giftedness to us with a true spirit of gratitude to God and to the many others that make our lives possible.

Personally, I feel that gratitude [Francis talks about] in my years as a friar and priest. I think I have been a successful pastor and have touched the lives of many people. But I know this is due to the personality that God has given me, the support of family and friends and the many other people who supported me and aided me in building the Kingdom. Lord, let my heart always be grateful with a deep sense of your abiding Presence. Amen!

Amen, indeed!