Msgr. Stanley J. Krempa, beloved and faithful priest of the diocese, died Feb. 28 at the age of 81.
Msgr. Krempa was born April 21, 1945, in Buffalo, N.Y., and graduated from Canisius High School in Buffalo in 1962. He attended St. John Vianney College Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y., 1962-66 and graduated from St. John Vianney Major Seminary in East Aurora in 1970.
He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Buffalo Dec. 19, 1970, and served as chaplain of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo and as an instructor at St. John Vianney. He took a leave of absence in 1977 from pastoral ministry to pursue a civil law degree from George Washington University Law School in Washington and worked as a civil attorney for seven years.
Msgr. Krempa returned to full-time ministry in the Diocese of Arlington in 1985 and was incardinated into the diocese by Bishop John R. Keating April 1, 1988.
He served as parochial vicar of St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal (1985-86), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge (1986-88), and St. Louis Church in Alexandria (1988-91). He was pastor of St. Mary Church in Alexandria (1991-99) and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester (1999-2017). In his final priestly assignment, he served as pastor of St. Bridget of Ireland in Berryville when the mission was named a parish in 2017 until his retirement in 2018.
“Msgr. Krempa was a kind and funny man, a priest of prayer and prudence,” said Father Bjorn C. Lundberg, pastor of Sacred Heart. “He welcomed me to Sacred Heart and I remember his dry sense of humor, and the sparkle in his eyes. People loved his pastoral leadership, his well-prepared and legendary preaching, and his wisdom in shepherding the parish. Monsignor quietly and wisely took care of everyone, and his leadership flowed out of a lifetime of hard-earned wisdom.”
“He loved Sacred Heart,” added Fr. Lundberg. “He always inquired about things and kept up on the news of the parish. When I would speak with him at diocesan and priest gatherings, he lit up and asked about the latest news he wanted to know about. He was a servant who was willing to entrust his parish to another, as much as he loved this parish dearly.”
Father Edward C. Hathaway, rector of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, noted that Msgr. Krempa’s book series on homilies, called “Captured Fire,” has been used as a guide by many seminarians and priests. “He believed that a great homily didn’t need to be longer than 9 to 10 minutes,” said Father Hathaway. “Msgr. Krempa was known as being kind and generous with his time, no matter the need. He was also a great storyteller, with an excellent sense of humor, who inspired many with his homilies. He would always relate the saint whose feast day was being celebrated to parishioners’ daily lives.”
As pastor of St. Mary, “The parish not only celebrated its bicentennial, but he spearheaded the fundraising and first major renovation of the school in many decades,” said Father Hathaway. “The former convent was remodeled to house the junior high students and became known as Stephens Hall. This allowed the continued growth of the school by opening up classrooms in the main building. Under his leadership, St. Mary’s also increased the level and quality of technology available to students by opening a state-of-the-art computer lab, as well as making computers available to all faculty.”
Msgr. Krempa was also a member of the College of Consultors; the Priests Council; the Land Assessment Committee and the Diocesan Review Board. His Gospel commentaries were featured in the Catholic Herald for years.
“From all his assignments he was remembered fondly — a great testament to a priest who served with love and care,” said Father Lundberg. “Every priest in a sense stands on the shoulders of giants. May God reward him in eternity for the selfless way he loved the Lord, served with faithfulness and edified countless souls with his kindness, wisdom, good humor and generosity.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 1 p.m. March 6.
Watch the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church tribute video of Msgr. Krempa.
