On October 17, 2021, died in Poland, Rev. Prof. Helmut Sobeczko.  He visited Texas in 1997 and on behalf of the University of Opole, Poland, was a co-signer of a Memorandum of Understanding which was the

first step in creating the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation.

Rev. Sobeczko was born December 27, 1939, in Nędza, Upper Silesia.  After elementary school and high school, he entered the major priest seminary in Nysa and in 1962 was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Church.  After his ordination, he continued his study at the Catholic University in Lublin, where, in 1965, he received his Masters Degree (MTh) and Licentiate in Theology (STL).  In 1965 he became a lecturer at the major priest seminary in his diocese.  In 1980 he continued his study at the Papal Liturgical Institute in Rome where he received a Doctorate of Theology.  In 1993 he received a second Doctorate from the Catholic University in Lublin, and in 2003 he became an Ordinary Professor – a title given by the President of the Republic of Poland.  He was an author of many publications and a member of numerous organizations on a diocesan and national level.  He was honored by the Church first, in 1983, as the Honorary Chaplain to the Holy Father (Monsignor), then in 1991, a Pralat of the Holy Father, and in 1992 an Apostolic Protonotary (Infułat).

He was always full of life, always happy, a great gentleman with a big heart who, over the years, welcomed with open arms, the many Silesian Texans who visited their Old Country.

May he rest in peace.

Photo:  Rev. Prof. Helmut Sobeczko – Dec. 27, 1939 – Oct. 17, 2021