Fr. Steve Pujdak, SCJ, 82, passed away November 12, in Dunedin, FL (near Pinellas Park). He had been struggling with a variety of medical issues for several months (including AFib and a fractured back).

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Fr. Steve professed his first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) in 1962. Among those in his novitiate class: Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, Fr. Mark Fortner, SCJ, and Fr. Pat Lloyd, SCJ.

Fr. Steve’s initial studies were at the Dehonians’ seminaries in Honesdale, PA (Kilroe) and Sacred Heart in Hales Corners, WI. He later went on to the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, where he earned a Ph.D. and an STD in theology.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969 by Bishop Joseph DePalma, SCJ, former superior general of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.

Fr. Steve’s first full-time assignments were in academics, initially serving as a professor at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology (1975-77) and at Marquette University in Milwaukee (1977-82). In 1983 he joined provincial administration as planning director and then as provincial secretary.

In 1988 he moved to the Rio Grande Valley, where he ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Raymondville, TX, from 1988-2004. He then moved to Pinellas Park, FL, where he assisted with the province retirement community there and did support ministry in the diocese. In recent years was a fully retired member of the community.

Visitation will be in the Good Shepherd Chapel of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, 7330 S. Lovers Lane Rd., Franklin. on Friday November 21st, 2025, beginning at 9:30AM until mass at 10:30AM. Interment in Sacred Heart Mausoleum will follow after mass.