Andrew G. Grutka

Born in Joliet, Illinois, Grutka studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College and was ordained a priest on December 5, 1933, by Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani for the Diocese of Fort Wayne. Father Grutka was serving as the pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Gary[1] when on December 29, 1956, he was named bishop of the newly created Diocese of Gary by Pope Pius XII. He was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate to the United States. Bishops John Patrick Cody, of Kansas City-Saint Joseph and Leo Aloysius Pursley of Fort Wayne were the principal co-consecrators. From 1962–1965, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council and was responsible for implementing the Council's reforms in the diocese. In 1959, Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, was named for his patron, Saint Andrew. He served the diocese for 28 years until Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation on July 9, 1984.[2]

After his resignation, Bishop Grutka remained active in the diocese, ministering to the people of the diocese at the pleasure of the new bishop, the Most Reverend Norbert Felix Gaughan. He died at his home on November 11, 1993, six days shy of his 85th birthday. He was entombed in the east transept of Cathedral of the Holy Angels.