RIP: 14/08/2022 - Gryfice
Fr. Emil Jarco was born on 28 May 1944 in Cieszyn. From 1951-58 he attended primary school in his home village, after which he continued his studies at a basic vocational school. After completing his education there, in order to help his family financially, he took a job at an electrical machinery factory in Cieszyn. He worked there as a turner from 1961-63, during which time he attended Fr. Blachnicki’s retreats and Oasis meetings. Like our Founder, being a professional, he obtained his secondary school certificate, which was his ticket to the novitiate and seminary in Bagno. But due to the political situation and military service, he could only complete them in June 1967. In October of that year, he applied to be accepted as a novice of the Society of the Divine Saviour. On 24 October 1968 he professed his first religious vows in Bagno, after which he started with his philosophy and theology at the Salvatorian Major Seminary in Bagno from 1968 to 1974. He culminated his initial formation being ordained a priest on 23 May 1974. Between 1974 and 1978 Fr. Emil was involved in a variety of pastoral services in different communities in Poland. In 1978 he became prefect of seminarians at the Salvatorian Major Seminary in Bagno. During the period of his ministry as a tutor in Bagno, the desire to go to work pastorally in Australia matured in him. After having obtained English courses in Great-Britain, Fr. Emil went in March 1982 to Midland, Australia, and took up pastoral support duties in the local religious community. He spent six years there, becoming actively involved in the apostolates and learning the specifics of pastoral ministry in the area. He was active in different parishes until 1993, when his ministry came to an end in Australia. In that year, he was transferred to the religious community in Merrillville, USA, where he served as treasurer and local superior. Furthermore, he served in other places until he returned to his homeland after 20 years of ministry in Australia and the USA. The last part of his life, he worked hard in the mission procura of the Polish Province Mikolow, keeping contact with benefactors and giving homilies and pastoral assistance. Fr. Emil ended his earthly pilgrimage abruptly when, unaware of the cancer developing in his body, he went on holiday. There, his health suddenly deteriorated and after a few days he died, on 14 August 2022, in a hospital in Gryfice. He was 78 years old and had been a Salvatorian for 53 years.
