NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rev. Duane Allan Balcerski, C.S.C., 84, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Indiana, on October 17, 2025, after a short illness.
Rev. Duane Balcerski, C.S.C., was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 26, 1940, to Dr. Matthew and Eleanor (Resman) Balcerski is one of four children. After graduating from Grosse Point High School in Grosse Point, Michigan, in 1959, he entered the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting in 1963. After a candidate year, he entered Sacred Heart Novitiate in Jordan, Minnesota, in 1964 and made First Vows on August 16, 1965. After a further year of study at Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame, Indiana, Fr. Balcerski began theological studies in 1966 at the Foreign Mission Seminary in Washington, D.C. until 1968, returned to Notre Dame for one year (1968-1969), before going to Uganda for an additional year of study, and was Ordained a Holy Cross priest there on August 13, 1971.
After ordination in 1971 until 1985, Fr. Balcerski served in many capacities in East Africa, including parish assistance at Butiiti Parish, taught at St. Mary’s Seminary, Chaplain and Bursar at Kinyamasika Teacher Training College, retreat work at Saaka, and Diocesan Treasurer for Fort Portal Diocese. From 1985-1992, Fr. Balcerski assisted at Holy Cross Novitiate in Cascade, Colorado, before serving as associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Notre Dame, Indiana, until 1993. From 1993-1997, he assisted the District of East Africa in Uganda at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Fort Portal and Kyarusozi Parish. After a sabbatical year in 1998, Fr. Balcerski returned to Phoenix, Arizona, to assist at Andre House for a short time before serving as associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs, Colorado, until 2002. From 2002-2022, Fr. Balcerski assisted at Andre House and also served as assistant superior and steward for the Casa Santa Cruz community in Phoenix, Arizona, from 2015-2022. Beginning in 2023, Fr. Balcerski resided at Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Preceding Fr. Balcerski in death are his parents. He is survived by his brothers Bruce and James Balcerski and his sister, Judith Balcerski, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Wake Service will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Moreau Seminary and Scholasticate, Notre Dame, Ind. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind. You may also join via livestream at https://funerals.holycrossusa.org.
Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org.
