With sadness, but with faith in the Resurrection, we announce that our brother, Rev. John M. Mokluk, OSFS, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, at the age of 83.
Fr. Mokluk was a professed member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 61 years and a priest for 53 years. Fr. Mokluk was dedicated to the ministry of Salesian and Catholic education for almost 40 years.
Born in Philadelphia on August 14, 1940, John Mokluk was the son of Peter Mokluk and Catherine (Lishowid) Mokluk. He attended St. Francis Xavier Parish School and St. John Neumann High School. John began swimming in grade school and his passion for the sport continued for decades. He remained a swimmer his entire life and only retired from the pool when aging slowed him down.
John attended LaSalle College (now University) and Temple University. He met the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales during his college years and joined the community in 1960. He made his first profession of vows in 1962 and studied at Niagara University in New York, earning a bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages. John studied theology at DeSales Hall in Washington, D.C. and received an MA in Counseling from Niagara. John was ordained a priest by Oblate bishop, Most Rev. Edward Schlotterback, at Holy Innocents Catholic Church on September 12, 1970.
Following ordination, Fr. Mokluk was assigned as chaplain at Neumann Pastoral Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 1974, Fr. Mokluk came back to Philadelphia and served as a Spanish and Religion teacher at Father Judge High School. Fr. Mokluk continued his teaching ministry when he went to Northeast Catholic High School in 1985. While stationed in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Fr. Mokluk assisted at many local parishes on the weekends. He was known for playing the guitar during his homilies and many students and parishioners fondly recall attending a “Fr. Mokluk guitar mass.”
In 1996, Fr. Mokluk began ministering at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. He taught Spanish and Religion until 2012 but continued to minister by celebrating mass and hearing confessions until he retired to the Oblate Residence at Childs, Maryland in 2019. At Annecy Hall, Fr. Mokluk focused on his ministry of prayer and devotion to the Blessed Mother. While no longer swimming, he could often be found walking around the facility, praying the rosary, and offering a kind word to everyone he met.
As dementia and other health issues set in, Fr. Mokluk went to Calvert Manor Health Center in nearby Rising Sun, Maryland to receive additional care. Once more, Fr. Mokluk became a gentle presence to the other residents and staff. He passed away at Calvert, shortly after a visit from his Oblate superior.
Arrangements:
Friday, January 19, 2024
Our Lady of Light Chapel.
Viewing - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
The Mass of Christian Burial - 11:00 AM.
Burial will follow in the Oblate Cemetery.
If you plan on attending the luncheon, be sure to contact Fr. Paul Colloton - pcolloton@oblates.org
Condolences may be sent to the Mokluk family:
Michelle Ashmore
226 E. Broadway
Clifton Heights, PA 19018
