Date of death: 1/21/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1971
From the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau:Monsignor Michael F. Swalina, S.T.D., gained his eternal reward this past Saturday, January 21, 2012, the Feast of St. Agnes. Monsignor Swalina had been residing in the St. Louis area while on health leave. Arrangements, taken care of by Hoffmeister South County Chapel (314-544-7100), are as follows: Visitation Wednesday, January 25, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.Prayer Service Wednesday, January 25, 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass Thursday, January 26, 11:00 a.m.The visitation, prayer service and funeral Mass will all be held at St. Martin of Tours Church, 610 W. Ripa Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. The phone number at the church is 314-544-5664. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Rd., St. Louis. Priests are invited to concelebrate Mass and a luncheon will follow the burial. Monsignor Swalina was born January 22, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Joseph F. And Julia E. (Michaelree) Swalina. He attended St. Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana and North American College in Rome. Monsignor Swalina was ordained December 18, 1970, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City by Most Reverend Jacobus A. Hickey for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Monsignor Swalina served with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Vatican City for many years. Parishes in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau where he served include St. Henry in Charleston, St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield, St. Eustachius in Portageville, Immaculate Conception in New Madrid, Sacred Heart in Poplar Bluff, St. Benedict in Doniphan, St. Francis de Sales in Lebanon, Sacred Heart in Conway, and St. William in Buffalo. Monsignor Swalina held the office of Defender of the Bond for the diocesan Tribunal. He also served as diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Holy Childhood Association. Monsignor Swalina is survived by two brothers, John Swalina (and wife, Barbara) and Anthony Swalina; two sisters, Ann Wilson (and husband, Tom) and Teresa Swalina. Notes of sympathy for the family may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. John Swalina, 1701 Telegraph Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125.