Rev. Canon Philip Stanley Majka

Reverend Canon Philip Majka passed away peacefully, with the Sacraments of the Church and with faith in our Lord’s Death and Resurrection, on June 24, 2023. Father Majka will be remembered for his roles as Pastor, Chaplain, and Community Leader.

Father Majka was born on April 22, 1938, in New Britain, Connecticut, to Stanley and Helen Majka. After high school, he attended Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, Connecticut; Queen of Apostles Seminary, Madison, Wisconsin; and Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Michigan.

Father Majka was ordained May 1, 1965, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond by Bishop John J. Russell. He celebrated his first Mass at Holy Cross Church in New Britain. He served as an associate pastor across the Arlington Diocese: Blessed Sacrament Parish, Alexandria, 1965-67; Saint Mark Parish, Vienna, 1967-70; Good Shepherd Parish, Mount Vernon, 1970-72; Saint Michael Parish, Annandale, 1972-75; and Saint Mary Parish, Alexandria, 1975-76. He was named founding pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Lake Ridge in October 1976. He also served as pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Warrenton and Saint Patrick Parish in Fredericksburg, before being assigned as parochial vicar of Saint James Parish in Falls Church.

Father Majka was very active in the Polish-American community, and was known as Dusz Pasterz Polski—the Polish Shepherd of Souls. He was a member of various Polish-American organizations and served as chaplain to the Polish Community of the Metropolitan Washington area. In 1969 and 1976, he hosted then-Cardinal Karol Wojtyla during the Cardinal’s visits to Washington.

Due to his service to the Polish American Community, Father Majka was the recipient of numerous awards. He received an award from the Friends of John Paul II Foundation in 1996. He was awarded the Cavaliers Cross of Merit from the Polish Government and installed as Canon of the Archdiocese of Wroclaw Poland in 1999. He received a national award from the Polish American Priest Association.

Father Majka served as the Catholic chaplain at Dulles International Airport beginning in June of 2006, and was elected vice president of the National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains in 2010.

Father Majka served as chaplain to Knights of Columbus Councils throughout Northern Virginia, the Serra Club, the Alhambra Club, and the Fairfax County Fire Department.

Father Majka resided at the Saint Rose of Lima Priests Retirement Villa in Annandale until the time of his death. Please pray for Father Majka and all those who mourn his passing.

A funeral mass for Father Majka will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Holy Cross Church, 31 Biruta St, New Britain, CT 06053. Following the Funeral Mass will be a Rite of Committal at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 662 Burritt St, New Britain, CT 06053.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the "Catholic Diocese of Arlington Priest Retirement Fund."

Mail to Catholic Diocese of Arlington Priest Retirement Fund, 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 901, Arlington, VA, 22203. On the memo line write "In memory of Father Majka."

Cards can be mailed to St. Rose of Lima Villa, 4597 Ravensworth Rd, # 5, Annandale, VA 22003

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewBritainSagarino.com for the Majka family.