Rev. Andrew M. Sebesta, C.S.C., passed away on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston after a seven-year battle with a brain tumor. He was 39-years-old.
Fr. Sebesta was born in Houston on Sept. 18, 1972, to Edward and Jeanette (Murray) Sebesta. The eldest of two children, he graduated from John Foster Dulles High School, Sugar Land, Texas, in 1991, and entered the University of Notre Dame that fall. In 1996, he graduated from Notre Dame Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.A. History.
In 1997, Fr. Sebesta entered the Congregation of Holy Cross’ Novitiate in Colorado Springs, Colo. He made his First Profession of Vows on July 25, 1998. Fr. Sebesta returned to Moreau Seminary to study theology and earned his Masters of Divinity from Notre Dame in May of 2003. During his seminary years with Holy Cross, Fr. Sebesta had a two-year pastoral placement at the University of Portland, Portland, Ore., which included Clinical Pastoral Education at Providence Hospital. On August 30, 2003, Fr. Sebesta made his Perpetual Profession of Vows and was ordained to the Order of the Deacon the following day at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame. From July 2003 to December 2004, he served as Deacon at Christ the King Parish in South Bend, Ind., where he assisted during Mass, visited hospitalized and homebound parishioners, instructed elementary children at Christ the King School, assisted and lead sacramental preparation programs, performed Baptisms and received wedding vows.
In late 2004, Fr. Sebesta was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His trust in Divine Providence and his desire to serve as a priest in Holy Cross remained strong. On April 2, 2005, Fr. Sebesta was ordained to the priesthood at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. From December 2004 through July 2006, Fr. Sebesta was in Houston receiving medical care at MD Anderson.
From 2006 to 2008, Fr. Sebesta served as Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame, Ind., where he performed sacramental ministry and made First Friday visits. He was also Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish, Colorado Springs, Colo., from 2008 to 2009. In July 2009, Fr. Sebesta moved to Holy Cross House and worked as a Research Assistant in the Rare Books and Special Collections of the Hesburgh Libraries at Notre Dame.
Fr. Sebesta is survived by his parents Edward and Jeanette, his younger sister Karen, his brother-in-law Mike Offner, and their daughter, Veronica.
Viewing and a wake service for Rev. Andrew M. Sebesta, C.S.C., were held in the Chapel of Moreau Seminary, University of Notre Dame, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. The funeral Mass was celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.
