In Memoriam: Msgr. Frank J Bach

HAVING SERVED THE PEOPLE OF GOD in the Diocese of Spokane for more than six decades as a priest — thirteen of them as director of Catholic Charities Spokane — Msgr. Frank J. Bach entered into Eternal Life on Dec. 16, 2017. His last place of residence was Brookdale South Regal in Spokane, where deteriorating health conditions consumed the past several months of his life.
Father Bach was born Oct. 11, 1930, in Johnstown, Pa., the son of Frank and Agnes (Burkhard) Bach. He is survived by two sisters, Martha and Louise Bach, who still reside in Johnstown.
Father Bach began studies for the priesthood as a high school student in the fall of 1944 at Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio. He completed his college studies, as well as the final four years of his priestly preparation, at the same institution. Young seminarian Frank Bach responded in 1953 to Bishop Charles D. White’s appeal for students at the Josephinum to commit to post-ordination service in the Diocese of Spokane.
Rev. Mr. Bach was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Nov. 2, 1955, by Bishop Michael Ready, fifth Bishop of Columbus, Ohio. Arch-bishop Amleto Cicognani, apostolic delegate to the United States (1933-1958), ordained him to the holy priesthood at the Josephinum on May 26, 1956. The newly ordained priest immediately traveled to Spokane to begin his priestly service.
Father Bach’s first assignment was as assistant at Spokane’s St. Ann Parish (June 1956-Jan. 1960). He then served from Jan. 1960 until Aug. 1962 as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Wellpinit. At that time,
he also was responsible for the diocese’s Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (July 1961-Aug. 1962).
Recognizing his skills and abilities, in the fall of 1962 Bishop Bernard J. Topel sent the young priest to “higher studies” at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. After earning a masters of social work, Father Bach returned to the diocese, assuming the duties of assistant director of Catholic Charities (Sept. 1964-July 1965). After replacing Father Bernard Schiller, he became director of Catholic Charities on July 30, 1965, and served in that capacity until 1978. From Aug. 1964-Sept. 1966 he also directed the diocese’s Cursillo Movement.
In 1972, Father Bach’s compassionate heart led him to spearhead the founding of the Catholic Charities Housing Board in order to pursue opportunities for low-income residents. The board’s first project, Spokane’s Cathedral Plaza, soon was followed by several other projects in Spokane, as well as in Colville, Pull-man, Clarkston, Pasco, Walla Walla and Othello.
As part of a March 1978 rearrangement of diocesan administration by Bishop Lawrence Welsh, Father Bach was named the Bishop’s secretary for charity. In March 1980, he became chancellor of the diocese and, one year later, took on the additional responsibilities of vicar for administration. From Aug. 1987-May 1988, the talented priest was blessed with a time of sabbatical at Weston School of Theology in Boston. Upon his return, he was assigned pastor of St. Mary Parish in the Spokane Valley.  He served there until his retirement. 
With its creation in 2004, Father Bach was invited to serve on the Catholic Charities Foundation, and remained an emeritus board member until his death.
A diocesan priest to the core, even while addressing his responsibilities at Catholic Charities, Father Bach served as pastor of Spokane’s Sacred HeartParish (Aug. 1976-April 1978). Later, he would be the temporary administrator of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes (Aug. 1982-Feb. 1983). From Dec. 2011-June 2012, he was called out of retirement and into temporary pastoral service at St. Anthony Parish in Newport and its missions
(Our Lady of Sorrows on the Kalispell Indian Reservation; St. Bernard Parish in Ione; St. Joseph Parish in Metaline Falls; and St. Jude Parish in Usk).  During the following year (July 2012-June 2013), before returning to retirement, he served as temporary pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Pullman.
Father Bach’s frequent protestations against receiving accolades for his ministry fell on deaf ears.
On March 13, 1997 at the request of Bishop William Skylstad, the Holy Father honored Father Bach with his investiture as one of the Church’s “Monsignors” — but the humble priest insisted on the use of the common title, “Father.” On Jan. 23, 2013, Catholic Charities Spokane honored its much-loved director with the opening of “Father Bach Haven” (108 State Street, Spokane), the first of now three apartment complexes for Spokane’s chronically homeless men. In recognition of his service
to the poor and the people of the Diocese of Spokane, in 2004 Bishop Skylstad awarded Father Bach with the prestigious Bishop’s Medal.
Father Bach often noted that the good we do is known only to God. As he entered into eternal life, he assuredly heard his Master’s welcome: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities Spokane, P.O. Box 2253, Spokane, WA 99210-2253. The greatest memorial, of course, would be the provision in the name of Father Bach of some form of personal service to those who are impoverished, broken or homeless.
May God’s generous and compassionate priest rest in eternal peace and may he be blessed with fullness of life.