Fr. Paul W. Bala

The Rev. Fr. Paul W. Bala, 72, a senior priest of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, died Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Macomb McLaren Hospital in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Father Bala was born on July 6, 1942 in Bay City, Michigan to the late William and Roseleen Bala. He received his elementary education at St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Bay City and his secondary education at St. Paul Seminary in Saginaw. Father Bala continued his priestly formation at Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he studied philosophy. He studied theology at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1969 by the Most Rev. Francis F. Reh, the third Bishop of Saginaw, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. Father Bala served as associate pastor at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Saginaw; St. Helen, Saginaw; and Blessed Sacrament, Midland. He was pastor of St. Patrick, Croswell; St. John the Evangelist, Peck; Mount Saint Joseph, Saint Louis; St. Patrick, Irishtown; St. Pancratius, Cass City; St. Mary — Our Lady of Sorrows, Port Sanilac; and St. John Chrysostom, Forestville. He served as sacramental minister at St. Agatha, Gagetown; St. Michael, Wilmot; and St. Pancratius, Cass City. During his priesthood, Father Bala served as a regional vicar. He is survived by his sister Margaret (Gerald) Maluse; and nephews Patrick and David. Father Paul was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas. Father Bala’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015 at St. Pancratius Catholic Church (Our Lady Consolata Parish), 4292 S. Seeger St., Cass City, Mich. The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, will preside and the Rev. David Parsch will preach the homily. Visitation will take place from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at St. Mary — Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church (Ave Maria Parish), 7066 W. Main St., Port Sanilac. The Vigil Liturgy will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the Rev. Donald Eppenbrock will preside. Visitation also will take place on Monday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pancratius until the time of the Funeral Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Mary's Garden, or St. Pancratius Catholic Church. Thoughts and memories may be shared with the family at St. Pancratius and St. Mary — Our Lady of Sorrows churches and through www.pomeroyfuneralhomes.com

Fr. Paul W. Bala

July 6, 1942 - March 17, 2015