Obituary of Rev. Joseph Charles Linck

Roman Catholic Priest, Diocese of Bridgeport Reverend Joseph C. Linck, age 43, a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport, entered into eternal life on Friday, August 29, 2008 after a lengthy illness. Born in Bristol, PA on December 9, 1964, he was the son of Charles and Mary (Babkowski) Linck of Woodbury, CT. Father Linck received his B.A. from Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, received an M.A. in Theology from the University of Dallas and a Ph.D in American Church History from the Catholic University of America. After completing seminary training at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, he was ordained to the priesthood as a member of the Congregation of the Oratory on September 17, 1994 in Pittsburgh, PA. For five years, he had the joy of working as an Oratorian in University Chaplaincy and also as a lecturer in Church History at St. Vincent Seminary. In 2001, Father Linck came to the Diocese of Bridgeport and was assigned as a parochial vicar of St. Theresa Church in Trumbull where he served until 2006. During this time, he worked with various educational ministries, including the St. Cyril of Jerusalem School for Catechists and the Formation Program for the Permanent Diaconate. In 2003, Father Linck was named Director of the Office of Divine Worship by Bishop William E. Lori, S.T.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. In 2006, Father Linck was appointed Rector of St. John Fisher Seminary Residence, a post he held until ill health necessitated his retirement this year. In 2008, Father Linck was invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepluchre of Jerusalem. Father Linck was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He counted reading and historical research (and travel) among his hobbies, but he also enjoyed writing. He was the Author of Fully Instructed and Vehemently Influenced: Catholic Preaching in Anglo-Colonial America, which was published in 2002, a number of articles and also co-editor of two books. In addition to his beloved parents survivors include, an aunt, Jeannette Linck of Salinas, CA, an uncle, Edward Linck and his wife Berneice of Kemah, TX, great-aunts and uncles, cousins, his godmother, Anne Shutta of Easton, PA and four cherished godchildren, Seamus OConnor of Portsmouth, RI, John Patrick Scholz of Coppell, TX, Samantha Linck of Townsville, Australia and Mary Katherine McKenna of Boston, MA. Funeral Information The Reception of the Body will take place at St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2008 with visiting hours until 5:30 p.m. A Vigil Mass of Christ the High Priest will be celebrated on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. by Msgr. Kevin T. Royal and Rev. Mark Gruber O.S.B. as homilist. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Theresa Church on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. by the Most Reverend William E. Lori, S.T.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport and Rev. Joseph E. Sioli as homilist. Interment will take place in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton, PA at the convenience of the family. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, it is strongly urged that those desiring to do so make a memorial contribution to Rosary Hill Home, 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532 or Aid to the Church in Need, P. O. Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222.