Obituary of Reverend Father Leonard Ratushniak

Fr. Leonard Ratushniak, C.Ss.R., fell asleep in the Lord on September 27 at Holy Family Home in Winnipeg, after a valiant battle with cancer. He is predeceased by his parents Stephen and Amelia Ratushniak and survived by his sister Sandra Herbison (Robert), and his brother Andrew and nieces and nephews : Jeremy (Krista), Kathleen, Marshall, Carmen (Scott), and Alanna and grandnephews Louis, Sean and Beau. Fr. Len was born in Canora, SK on February 8, 1942. After graduating from St. Vladimir's College in Roblin, MB, he entered the Redemptorist Novitiate in Meadowvale, ON and professed his first vows as a Redemptorist on August 28, 1961. He pursued seminary studies and completed an ecclesiastical and civil degree in theology at St. Paul's University, Ottawa, ON in 1968. On June 24, 1967, Bishop Andrew Roborecki ordained him to the priesthood in St. Mary's Church, Yorkton, SK. Fr Len served in various Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Canada and the United States. His first assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church, Yorkton, SK (1968-72) where he would return as assistant again in 1981-84 and then as pastor 1990-96. He served as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Hillside, N.J. (1972-75), of Sacred Heart Parish, Wynyard, SK (1975-77; 1987-90). In 1978-81, he was assistant pastor of St. Joseph's, Winnipeg. He was assigned as pastor of Sacred Heart in Ituna, SK (1984-87). In 1996-99, he was assistant at The Welcome Home mission in Winnipeg and then assistant pastor of Ss. Peter & Paul parish in Saskatoon from 1999-2002. He served briefly in St. John the Baptist, Newark, N.J. and then returned to Wynyard (2002-05). His last assignment before his retirement was as pastor of St. Andrew's Church, Winnipeg, MB (2005-2019) while he lived at The Welcome Home (2005-2011) and then at St. Joseph's (2011-20). Fr. Len will be remembered for what brought joy to him and those around him: His heart warming pastoral visits or friendly chats over a cup of coffee; his amazing ability with crossword puzzles (perhaps being Editor of Redeemer's Voice magazine (English Edition - 1979-84, gave him an edge); he enjoyed youth ministry and was a "founding director" of Ukrainian Catholic Youth for Christ in Saskatchewan (1976) and the Saskatoon Eparchial Spiritual Director of the Ukrainian Catholic Youth (UCY) from1984-1994); his love for The Welcome Home where his humble, gentle way and sense of humor was a comforting presence to many. A visitation was held on Wednesday, September 30th at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church followed by a Priestly Parastas at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg with Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak along with his Winnipeg confreres officiating. An evening Parastas continued on Thursday, October 1st at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton followed by a Funeral Divine Liturgy on Friday, October 2nd at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church with Rev. Father Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R., Redemptorist Regional Co-ordinator as the main Celebrant. He was joined by his religious confreres. Responses were led by Lorne Stechyshyn and choir members. The crossbearer was Dave Spelay representing the Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus. The interment followed in the Redemptorist section of Yorkton City Cemetery with Father's confreres serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in Father Len's memory may be made to The Welcome Home, 188 Euclid Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2W 2X4