SAGINAW- The Rev. Bernard “Ben” Louis Skornia, a senior priest of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, died on Friday, Feb. 15. Father Skornia was born Aug. 14, 1930 in Bay City, Mich. to the late Anthony and Gladys (Jarolewski) Skornia. He received his elementary education at St. Hyacinth School in Bay City.
Father Skornia received his secondary education at St. Bonaventure High School in Sturtevant, Wis. Father Skornia began his priestly formation at St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, Mich. and completed his formation at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Mich. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1957 by the Most Rev. Stephen Woznicki, second Bishop of Saginaw, at St. Hyacinth Church in Bay City.
Father Skornia served as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart, Oscoda; St. Mary, Alpena; and St. Andrew, Saginaw.
Father Skornia served as pastor at the following parishes: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sebewaing; St. John the Evangelist, Ubly; St. Casimir, Saginaw; Sacred Heart, Kawkawlin; St. Francis Borgia, Pigeon; and St. Matthew, Zilwaukee.
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Father Skornia also served on the diocesan Finance and Personnel Boards. He obtained senior priest status on July 12, 1995.
Father Skornia’s Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Prince of Peace Parish, 1000 E. Beaver Rd., Kawkawlin. The Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Saginaw, will preside and Rev. T.J. Fleming will be the homilist.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church with a Vigil Liturgy at 7 p.m. Visitation also will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday until the time of the Funeral Mass.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Diocese of Saginaw Priests’ Retirement Fund.