In Memoriam: Fr. Vincent R. Brylka

On the 57^thanniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, Dec. 18, 2022, Father Vincent R. Brylka died at Summit Hospital in Oakland. He was 83.

Father Brylka found his greatest joy at the altar, celebrating the Eucharist.

“It has been a life-rewarding experience, showing me the deep faith and love of God which can be found in the lives of the faithful,” Father Brylka wrote in a reflection on priesthood 40 years after his ordination.

“A personal sense of fulfillment comes from being able to be the Lord’s servant in a very literal sense. In so many of life’s experiences people need, want, search for or rejoice in the presence of the Higher Power. I am humbled to have received the gift of this vocation to the priesthood, so that through the ministry of the church, the life of God might touch the lives of humankind.”
Ordained in the seminary chapel of the Seraphicum Pontifical College in Rome, Father Brylka began his ministry as a Conventual Franciscan.

After serving in teaching, pastoral and provincial ministry, he arrived in the Diocese of Oakland on Aug. 15, 1989. He was in residence and assisted at St. David of Wales Parish in Richmond before being assigned as parochial vicar at St. Leander Parish in San Leandro.

He served as parochial vicar at St. Anne Parish in Union City from 1992 to 1994.

Father Brylka went to St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Martine as parochial administrator in 1993 and was named pastor in 1997. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Oakland in 1996. In 2001, Father Brylka was named pastor of St. Clement Parish in Hayward, where he served until his retirement in 2007. In retirement, he lived at Bishop Begin Villa in Oakland.

The native of Chicago is survived by his siblings, Sister Barbara Marie, CSSF; James (Diane); and Thomas (Maureen) and by his nieces and nephews Steven, Jill, Douglas, Maria and Timothy. He is fondly remembered by 13 great-nieces and great-nephews and many cousins, relatives and friends.

St. Clement Parish, 750 Calhoun St., Hayward, will host funeral services. The vigil service is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. The church is at 750 Calhoun St., Hayward. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart section of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.