Fr. Stanley J. Malinowski

Henry J. Smith Charitable Trust for St. Malachy School

Stanley J. Malinowski was born to Andrew and Sophie Malinowski on August 7, 1928, in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He attended grammar school at St. Stanislaus School and high school at Ambridge Senior High School, graduating in 1946. Following two years at St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Michigan, he entered the seminary at Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary, also in Orchard Lake. He completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was ordained a priest for the Peoria Diocese on June 6, 1954. After serving in various parishes in the Diocese, Father Malinowski was assigned Pastor at St. Malachy in Rantoul, Illinois, in June 1972.

Father Malinowski was described as a strong leader and visionary who valued the service of Catholic Christian education. He recognized that in order to continue this service, space must be available in the St. Malachy School facility to better serve the current and future needs of students and parents.

Under his visionary leadership, an expansion to the school was completed that included a kindergarten, a computer lab, a new kitchen, a commons area, a community room, and administrative offices.

After retiring in 1997, Father Malinowski, as Pastor Emeritus, continued his vocation of being a shepherd by assisting the pastor at St. Malachy and at other area parishes. In 2001, he volunteered to serve the people of St. Elizabeth Parish in Thomasboro, Illinois, as Pastor in Residence. During his time at St. Elizabeth he continued to stress the importance of the Henry J. Smith Charitable Trust. As in the past, he personally donated and received donations to continue what he felt was their Number One Apostolate – Catholic education.

Although he was diagnosed with Cancer in 2011, Father Malinowski set a shining example for all by continuing to serve until the very end. He died on December 4, 2012. Even after his passing, he continued his support by listing the Henry J. Smith Charitable Trust as the principle recipient of his estate.