Fr. Bartholomew Dacek (1928-1989)
Father “Bart” was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 11, 1928. That date is the Feast of St. Benedict, the Patriarch of Western Monasticism. He graduated from East Technical High School in 1946 and enrolled at St. Benedict’s College. On July 11, 1950, he professed first vows as a member of the community, re-entered the college and graduated from there in 1952 with a degree in philosophy. After completing his theological studies at the abbey he was ordained June 4, 1955.
Father Bartholomew was assistant pastor at St. Benedict’s, Atchison, for two years beginning in 1956, but in 1958 began teaching speech and religion at St. Benedict’s College, was food service and bookstore manager in addition to being residence hall counselor. From 1964-69 he was assistant business manager of the abbey.
In 1969 he began his service as a pastor first at St. Joseph, Atchison, until 1973, with St. Patrick’s, rural Atchison, as a mission, 1970-73. He was at St. Mary’s, St. Benedict, Kan., 1973-84. While there he took the renewal program at San’t Anselmo, Rome, along with Fr. Kieran McInerney, and the first day, suffered a heart attack that eventually brought about open-heart surgery at the Kansas University Medical Center. He resumed duties at St. Mary’s, St. Benedict, and was later transferred to Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca, where he served from 1984-89. He had another heart flare-up in 1989 and died at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, Kan., December 6, 1989.
Father Bart was a monk of many talents that ranged from cooking to sewing. He was ready and willing to help his fellow monks whenever he could and endeared himself, because of his service and ready wit, to the parishioners where he ministered, in the city or the country.
During his years as a counselor at Camp St. Maur he became famous for his “Hoop Dance” and was tempted to put the hoop on to hop once again when the rural parishes he served needed rain! He and his friend, Freda Pickman were famous all around for their Christmas Candies.
