With faith in Eternal life that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, I announce the death of Fr. James Michael Fanrak on Friday, October 28, 2022, in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Father Fanrak was born to Thomas Francis Fanrak and Helen Theresa Potts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 1943. He attended Catholic parochial and high school in Philadelphia before going to Lewiston, New York, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education at Niagara University in 1968. Toward the end of his college education, Fr. Fanrak began to discern a vocation to the religious life in the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. He wanted to be a teacher. He attended seminary at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His Eminence John Cardinal Krol ordained Father Fanrak to the priesthood on June 5, 1971.

After ordination, Fr. Fanrak taught at the Salesian High School in Wilmington, Delaware and at Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1971-1980. He served in parish ministry as an Oblate of Saint Francis de Sales in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

In an interview with the Arkansas Catholic on the occasion of his fiftieth ordination anniversary, Fr. Fanrak recalled hearing about the Diocese of Little Rock from the Most Reverend Francis I. Malone of Shreveport and the late Monsignor Bernard Malone about priestly ministry in the Diocese of Little Rock. In April 1991 he came to Arkansas and served as associate pastor of Saint Peter the Fisherman in Mountain Home. His first pastorate was Saint Agnes in Mena, All Saints in Mount Ida, and St. Jude in Waldron (1991-1995). On June 1, 1993, Fr. Fanrak became incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Little Rock. Other pastorates included: Saint Elizabeth in Eureka Springs and St. Anne in Berryville (1995-2001); Saint James in Searcy and Saint Albert in Heber Springs (2001-2002); Saint Peter the Fisherman in Mountain Home and Saint Mary in Mountain View (2002-2010); and Mary, Mother of God in Harrison, and Saint Andrew in Yellville (2010-2022). In addition to parochial assignments, Fr. Fanrak served on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council and as Dean of the North Ozark Deanery. On June 12, 2022, Father Fanrak transitioned to Senior Status.

Father Fanrak was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Francis Fanrak and Helen Theresa Potts, and two brothers, Larry Fanrak and Thomas Fanrak.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 6, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Harrison, Arkansas.

The Vigil and Rosary will be at 6pm on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Harrison, Arkansas. Bishop Francis Malone will conduct the rosary and vigil service.

The Mass of Christian Burial will occur at 11am on Monday, November 7, 2022, at Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Harrison, Arkansas.  The Celebrant will be Bishop Anthony Taylor.

Burial will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 11am in the Priest Circle at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bishop Francis Malone will be the Celebrant.

Priests of the Diocese of Little Rock are asked to please offer three Masses for Father Fanrak.

"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." (Heb. 7:17)