Bartulica, Fr. Angelo P. 1974-2024 Capljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

By NewsPress Now

CAPLJINA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Fr. Angelo Petar Bartulica, aged 50, passed away on July 13, 2024, in Capljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Born on June 29, 1974, in St. Joseph, he was known for his friendly and fun-loving nature, coupled with a deep missionary spirit that guided his life and work.

Fr. Angelo was the fourth child of a devout Catholic family. Educated at Cathedral and St. Francis parochial schools and Bishop LeBlond high school, in St. Joseph, and Maur Hill high school, in Atchison, Kansas, he pursued higher education at Missouri Western State University, in St. Joseph, Conception Seminary College, in Conception, Missouri, and Saint Mary by the Lake Seminary, in Mundelein, Illinois. His commitment to his faith and community led him to enter the priesthood on Dec. 20, 2008. He served at St. John Lalande Catholic Church, in Blue Springs, Missouri, then later as pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Trenton, Missouri, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in Princeton, Missouri, St. Columban Catholic Church, in Chillicothe, Missouri, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in Raytown, Missouri, before pursuing a missionary calling to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016, where he continued his pastoral service in various parishes within the Diocese of Banja Luka. He began the charitable organization, Morningstar Friends, to assist the most vulnerable people of the diocese.

He is survived by his parents, Nicholas and Bozica; brothers, Stephen (Zeljka), Nick (Kimberly), and Fr. Matthew; sister, Nina; his loving nephews and nieces, Nikola, Ante, Charlie, Frane, Peter, Maggie, Ivan, Jude, and Elizabeth.

A funeral Mass and burial will be held on July 19, 2024, in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, a memorial Mass will be held on Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, in St. Joseph. Fr. Angelo’s life and service will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him, both in the United States and abroad.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Morningstar Friends, P.O. Box 8037, St. Joseph, MO 64508, to help continue the work that he had started. Donations may also be made in his name to the Pregnancy Resource Clinic in St. Joseph. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.