Rev. Steven G. Dombrowski was the kind of person who seemed to find joy in just about everything.
He loved his Polish heritage, enjoyed sharing a meal with friends, had a passion for helping others and was always ready for his next adventure.
Dombrowski, an Archdiocese of Chicago priest who served at several parishes throughout the Chicago area, died Aug. 29 at age 63.
At the time of his death, he was associate pastor of SS. Thomas Becket and Alphonsus Liguori Parish in Mount Prospect. He previously served as pastor of St. Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect and St. Cajetan Parish in Chicago.
Born June 18, 1963, in Chicago, Dombrowski attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Niles College of Loyola University in Niles and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
He was ordained to the priesthood May 20, 1989, by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. The next day, he celebrated his first solemn Mass at St. Tarcissus Parish in Chicago.
Dombrowski served as associate pastor at St. Theresa Parish in Palatine, St. Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect, Prince of Peace Parish in Lake Villa, St. Edna Parish in Arlington Heights, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orland Park and Our Lady of Ransom Parish in Niles.
He later served as pastor of St. Raymond de Penafort from 2009 to 2015 and St. Cajetan from 2019 to 2022.
For those who knew him, however, Dombrowski was much more than his parish assignments.
Rev. Fred C. Pesek, one of Dombrowski’s classmates, remembered a man who was proud of his Polish heritage and enjoyed experiencing different cultures.
In 1987, Pesek and Dombrowski traveled to Poland as part of a language and culture experience for seminarians at Mundelein Seminary. The program was led by Rev. Thomas Rzepiela.
“In eight weeks, we experienced the whole country and attended a solidarity Mass in Gdansk. The cultural part was visiting different areas within the country,” Pesek said.
The two also visited Majdanek, a Nazi German concentration and extermination camp near Lublin.
Pesek said Dombrowski enjoyed life and was supportive of the people around him.
“Dombrowski loved to sing, and he always saw the cup as half-filled, not half empty. He was very supportive of others’ succeeding in life,” Pesek said.
Dombrowski also enjoyed food and often shared meals with friends at ethnic restaurants.
“He was a people’s person with many friends from his numerous parish assignments,” Pesek said.
Pesek said Dombrowski’s ministry focused on spiritual renewal, particularly through Christ Renews His Parish and men’s faith group sharing.
Away from his work in the parish, Dombrowski had a strong sense of adventure.
Pesek recalled his friend going parasailing, indoor skydiving, snorkeling and whitewater rafting down the Colorado River. He also rode in a helicopter and landed on a glacier.
Bishop John S. Siemianowski, another of Dombrowski’s classmates, remembered him for his kindness and humility.
“Steve was a gentleman. He had a kind spirit and was loved and appreciated by the people he served,” Siemianowski said.
Dombrowski also had a sense of humor that could help defuse difficult situations, Siemianowski said.
“Above all, he was humble. I don’t think he realized the impact he had on his parishioners,” he said.
Rev. Daniel Flens became friends with Dombrowski while the two were attending Niles College Seminary.
Flens said Dombrowski was grateful for his vocation and dedicated to serving the Church.
“Fr. Steve was grateful for the vocation to which the Lord called him,” Flens said, “and in his various assignments, he served the Church with dedication and joy as a priest.”
Dombrowski’s years in the priesthood brought him into contact with countless parishioners and fellow priests. His classmates remembered not only his commitment to his vocation, but also the friendships he made along the way.
His funeral services will be held at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church of SS. Thomas Becket and Alphonsus Liguori Parish, 411 N. Wheeling Road in Prospect Heights.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Pesek will be the main celebrant and homilist.