Passing of a Friend
Fr. Paul A. Kriemes, SSL
1945-2004

A sad day dawned upon the Sacred Heart community on Friday, January 30. Longtime professor Fr. Paul Kriemes, ssl, passed away that morning in his room at the seminary. Father Kriemes had been battling lung cancer and had recently contracted pneumonia. Nonetheless, his sudden passing shook the community: A good friend of the Archdiocese of Detroit and fine mentor to hundreds of students through the years was gone.

Father Kriemes had been a Sacred Heart assistant professor of Sacred Scripture and biblical languages since 1988, and his roots with the archdiocese ran deep. He was a 1963 graduate of Cardinal Mooney Latin High School, a 1967 graduate of Sacred Heart Seminary College, and a 1971 graduate of St. John Provincial Seminary. Father was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese in 1971 and served as an associate pastor or parochial administrator in four parishes. Before accepting his teaching position at Sacred Heart, he was academic dean at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake from 1986-88.

Along with his teaching duties at Sacred Heart, Father was also its dean of students from 1988-98. He was active as a speaker, workshop presenter and biblical scholar, having written up to forty-eight biblical commentaries per year since 1992 for St. Anthony Messenger Press in its Weekday Homily Helps.

Detroit Auxiliary Bishop John Quinn was a life-long friend of Father Kriemes. They met as Sacred Heart college students in 1963.

"I always admired his deep love for the Scriptures and especially his study of the Old Testament. He was gifted in his mastery of languages," says Bishop Quinn. "Most of all, I will remember Father Paul's love for the priesthood, the joy he found in preparing candidates for the priesthood, diaconate and ecclesial ministries, and also his love for Sacred Heart Major Seminary."

Associate professor Dr. Patricia Cooney-Hathaway was also a close friend and colleague. "When I was struggling with my own bout of cancer last year, Father Paul sent me roses each week," she says. "My family and I will never forget his thoughtfulness."

Recalls fourth-year theologian Robb Jurkovich, "When I think of Father Paul, I think of his personality, his sense of humor, his love of being around the guys. He was always very good to me. Most of the seminarians would say the same thing."

Father Kriemes' life was celebrated at a vigil service on Monday, February 2, and at a funeral liturgy the next day, both held at the seminary. Many family members and friends came to say good-by and thank him for a life well lived for God.