50 years
Monsignor Yunk marks anniversary on Memorial Day
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Monsignor Michael Yunk

A retired Army colonel, Monsignor Michael J. Yunk will celebration the 50th anniversary of his ordination on Memorial Day.

A Williamsville resident, Monsignor Yunk has served in area churches, as well as overseas with the U.S. Army, where he served as a chaplain holding services in military chapels for soldiers and their families.

His 27 years in the service took him to South Korea, Okinawa, Vietnam and Germany.

"When I was in the seminary in Europe, I went to visit my cousin who was serving in the Army and I asked him when did he ever see a priest ... the priest wasn't there, they were short on priests back then," Monsignor Yunk said.

On Sundays the priests had to be three places at once, he said. Knowing there was a need, Monsignor Yunk said he volunteered in 1966 with the permission of Buffalo Bishop James A. McNulty. The monsignor had become a member of the U.S. Army Reserves two years prior to volunteering.

By the time he retired in 1993, he had achieved the rank of colonel.

Since his return, his method of "go where needed" has continued. In 1994 he went to work at St. Mary's in Lockport, retiring in 2000.

"I have been assisting at St. Leo the Great and wherever else the calls come for support," he said of his work following retirement.

Monsignor Yunk was ordained in April 1957 at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. He is also an alumnus of St. Bonaventure University.

He received the title monsignor from Bishop Edward Head in April 1993.

The golden anniversary celebration of his ordination will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 28 with a Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 5480 Main St., Williamsville.

Newark Bishop Charles J. Mc- Donnell will give the sermon. He was Monsignor Yunk's superior in the Army. Monsignor Yunk served under Bishop McDonnell at Fort Benning, Ga., and in Hilderberg, Germany.

A reception at the Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga, will follow. Friends and family are welcome.

Monsignor Yunk lives in the same Village of Williamsville house where he grew up. His father, Martin, was a plumbing inspector for the town.

Although ordained in April, Monsignor Yunk will celebrate on Memorial Day, as he did for his 25th anniversary, which was featured on the front page of the May 26, 1982 edition of The Amherst Bee. The article acknowledged that Memorial Day has a special meaning to him.

"In one respect, it's kind of sad," he said. "It's sad so many had to die because war was used to settle political differences, but at the same time we owe much to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country."