The Rev. John Paul 'The Rev. John Paul Vrana' Vrana

Father John Paul Vrana, 84, died on November 14, 2014. Father Vrana was born May 14, 1930 in Oklahoma City, the youngest of four children of Charles G. and Helen Nickel Vrana. He attended grade school at Saint Joseph School and Sacred Heart School, Oklahoma City; Saint Gregory's High School, Shawnee; Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary; Mount Saint Mary's of the West College Seminary, Norwood, Ohio; and The American College in Louvain, Belgium, where he was ordained on July 1, 1956. Father Vrana also earned a Master of Arts at Columbia University, New York City, in 1961. During his many years in the priesthood, Father Vrana served the parishes of Saint Philip Neri, Midwest City; Saint Joseph, Union City; Saint John the Baptist, Edmond; Saint Joseph, Norman; Saint Mary, Ponca City; Saint Mary, Clinton and mission; Saint Peter, Guymon and missions; Saint Mary, Ardmore; and Assumption, Duncan and missions. He also served as Dean of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary and served on the Presbyteral Council, as a Regional Vicar and on the Archdiocesan Commission for Justice and Human Development. Father Vrana retired in 2000. Father Vrana was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers Charles Vrana, Leon J. "Tony" Vrana and Henry Vrana. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Vrana and many nieces and grandnieces. Father Vrana was a tireless advocate for justice. Many were supported, motivated, and challenged by Father Vrana in their efforts to bring about justice and peace for all persons. A Vigil will be held Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3214 N. Lake Avenue, Oklahoma City. The Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, will preside. Interment will follow at St. Teresa's Cemetery, Harrah. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith & Kernke, 14624 N. May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK.