Bishop Barres ordains two men priests for the diocese Diocesan

“The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord”
VOL. 27, NO. 12
JUNE 18, 2015
Bishop Barres ordains two men priests for the diocese
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
Two men were configured to Christ June 6 and ordained
priests of the Diocese of Allentown, empowering them to
proclaim the Gospels, bring Christ to others and be instruments of forgiveness.
Deacon Brendon Laroche, 34, and Deacon Jared Zambelli, 26, were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop of
Allentown John Barres at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of
Siena, Allentown.
Bishop Barres was
“The union of mercy, main celebrant and ordaining prelate during
compassion and the
the Rite of Ordination to
splendor of truth
the Priesthood. Bishop
has been the beatEmeritus of Allentown
ing heart of the GosEdward Cullen was principal concelebrant.
pel and the beating
Bishop Barres opened
heart of the Catholic
the ceremony by welChurch since the
coming hundreds of famvery beginning.”
ily members and friends
of the ordinandi, diocesan and visiting priests,
and the faithful.
“As we celebrate this wonderful moment in the diocese
and during the New Evangelization I ask that we pray for
vocations to the priesthood and religious life,” said Bishop
Barres.
After the Gospel reading Bishop Barres initiated the
Rite of Ordination with the calling and presentation of the
candidate to the bishop as a sign of worthiness for ordination.
At the consent of the people, the congregation indicated
their acceptance of the bishop’s decision to ordain Deacons Laroche and Zambelli by applauding.
Bishop Barres then examined the candidates’ willingness to embrace the duties and obligations of the priestly
office, as the men knelt before him and vowed to obey him
and his successors.
Father Brendon Laroche, left, and Father Jared Zambelli, right, bestow the final blessing of the Mass with
Bishop John Barres after being ordained priests June 6. (Photos by John Simitz)
Next the bishop invited all present to pray for the men
as they prostrated themselves before the altar as a sign of
their submission before God during the Litany of Saints.
Rising to their feet, Deacons Laroche and Zambelli
knelt before Bishop Barres again for the Laying on of
Hands. This gesture, together with the Prayer of Consecration, is the outward sign of the ordination to the Order of
Priests. In a like manner, those priests present imitated the
Please see PRIESTS page 16 }}
Diocesan priests pedal to support Catholic education
Father John Sullivan, front right, team
leader of “Our Father’s Ride,” and his
team are joined by three priests of
the Diocese of Allentown who rode
with them for 13 miles from Easton to
Bethlehem to help raise awareness
for Catholic education, from left (all in
black): Father John Gibbons, pastor
of Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown; Father Mark
Searles, assistant pastor of Sacred
Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Conception; and Father James Harper, assistant pastor of Notre Dame of Bethlehem. (Photo by Ed Koskey)
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
Three priests of the
Diocese of Allentown
pedaled Catholic education and the brotherhood
of the priesthood June
1 by biking a leg of the
journey “Our Father’s
Ride” with priests from
the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn.
Father John Gibbons,
pastor of Sacred Heart
of Jesus and Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown; Father
Mark Searles, assistant pastor of Sacred
Heart and Immaculate Conception BVM;
and Father James Harper, assistant pastor
of Notre Dame of Bethlehem, joined in
the 350-mile bike pilgrimage raising funds
for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of
Hartford.
Led by Father Jim Sullivan, parochial
vicar of the Torrington Cluster of Catholic parishes, Torrington, Conn., the cycling
and prayer pilgrimage began May 29 at the
Lourdes in Litchfield Shrine, and ended
June 4 at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg, Md.
Father Sullivan selected the shrine because it is dedicated to the first native-born
American to be canonized by the Catholic
Church.
Father Gibbons, Father Searles and Father Harper met the team of priests and
seminarians on Day 4 of their journey in
Phillipsburg, N.J. and escorted the men
across the Delaware River and into Easton.
“Even though I have never met the
riding priests before, the priesthood is an
Please see CYCLING page 7 }}
Pope: Read environmental encyclical with ‘open heart’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Appealing to the entire world, Pope Francis urged everyone to read his upcoming encyclical on the care of creation and to better protect a damaged earth.
“This common ‘home’ is being ruined, and that harms everyone, especially the poorest,” he said June 17, the
day before the Vatican was releasing his encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.” The pope appealed for people to recognize their “responsibility, based on the task that God gave human beings in creation: ‘to cultivate and care for’ the ‘garden’ in which he settled us.”
“I invite everyone to receive this document with an open heart,” he said at his weekly general audience in
St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis said the encyclical is part of the church’s social teaching; the social doctrine of the church
takes Gospel principles and applies them to concrete situations in society and public life.
The encyclical’s title, which translates into “Praised be,” comes from the introductory phrase to eight verses
of St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures,” a prayer thanking God for the gifts of creation.
The encyclical will be available in a number of languages online at http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/
en/encyclicals/index.html.
2
The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Episcopal appointments
Published biweekly on Thursday by
Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc.
at P.O. Box F
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Phone: 610-871-5200, Ext. 264
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Bishop of Allentown John Barres has made the
following appointments, effective Tuesday, June 23
unless otherwise noted.
Father Eric Arnout from assistant pastor, Our
Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem to assistant pastor, St.
Patrick, Pottsville.
Father John Bambrick from pastor, St. Joseph and St.
Mauritius churches, Ashland, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gordon, to pastor, newly formed St. Charles Borromeo,
Ashland/Girardville/Gordon, effective July 1.
Msgr. Robert Biszek from pastor, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem to pastor emeritus, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem, with residence at St. Paul Rectory, Allentown.
Msgr. John Campbell from pastor, Queenship of Mary,
Northampton to pastor emeritus, Queenship of Mary,
Northampton, with residence in his private home.
Msgr. Michael Chaback from director, Office of the Permanent Diaconate to retirement, with residence at Queenship
of Mary Rectory, Northampton.
Father Edward Connolly from pastor, St. Joseph/St.
Vincent de Paul churches, Girardville, to pastor emeritus, St.
Joseph/St. Vincent de Paul churches, Girardville, with residence in his private home, effective July 1.
Msgr. Edward Domin, pastor, St. Catharine of Siena,
Reading, also to administrator, St. Mary, Reading.
Father Joseph Ganser from assistant pastor, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem to assistant pastor, St. Joseph and St. Paul
churches, Reading.
Father Andrew Gehringer from pastor, St. Paul, Allentown to pastor, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Father Richard James from assistant pastor, St. Thomas
More, Allentown to assistant pastor, St. Joseph the Worker,
Orefield.
Father Dr. John Krivak from Catholic Campus Ministry
for Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest colleges, Allentown to assistant pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.
Father Joseph Kweder from assistant pastor, St. Joseph
the Worker, Orefield to assistant pastor, St. Thomas More,
Allentown.
Father Patrick Lamb from assistant pastor, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading to administrator, Queenship of Mary,
Northampton.
Father Brendon Laroche, newly ordained, to assistant
pastor, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Father Keith Laskowski from administrator, Our Lady
of Mercy, Easton, to pastor, Our Lady of Mercy, Easton.
Father Brian Miller from assistant pastor, St. Patrick,
Pottsville to assistant pastor, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
Father Michael Mullins from assistant pastor, St. Joseph
and St. Paul churches, Reading to administrator, St. Paul, Allentown.
Msgr. Francis Nave, pastor, Sacred Heart, Bath, also to
director, Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
Father Leo Stajkowski from pastor, St. Mary, Reading
to pastor emeritus, St. Mary, Reading, with residence at Immaculate Conception Rectory, Douglassville.
Father Jared Zambelli, newly ordained, to assistant pastor, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Notre Dame High School board selects new principal
The Board of Directors of Notre
Dame High School (NDHS), Easton has
announced the appointment of Mario Lucrezi as the school’s new principal effective Wednesday, July 1.
Bishop of Allentown John Barres approved the board’s recommendation of
Lucrezi.
Lucrezi will succeed Joseph Kramer,
who announced at the beginning of this
school year that he would retire Tuesday,
June 30 after 26 years as NDHS’s principal.
Lucrezi, 62, brings a wealth of experience to Notre Dame as a teacher, head
teacher, assistant principal and principal
in the Bangor Area School District. He
has been principal of Pius X Junior Senior High School, Bangor for the past
two years.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the
University of Tampa, Fla. and a master’s
degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University, Bethlehem.
Lucrezi said he is looking forward to
this next challenge. “Notre Dame High
School is a school of great faith and educational instruction with strong alumni
support,” he said.
“I welcome the opportunity to work
with everyone as the school moves forward in educating students to be the best
they can be. I am grateful to the Notre
Dame Board of Directors and Bishop
Barres for this appointment.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Mario to the Notre Dame High School com-
munity to join with our board, faculty,
staff, students and alumni in advancing
our vision to be a premier Catholic high
school committed to academic excellence, moral values and service to others,” said NDHS Board Chair A.E. (Gus)
Moffitt.
Moffitt also spoke very highly of
Kramer. “His 26 years of leadership as
principal of our school … have been extraordinary,” said Moffitt.
“He has touched the lives of thousands of students during his tenure. His
legacy will always be their record of accomplishments, and the success of the
school’s academic and extracurricular
programs.”
NDHS was founded in 1957. Its current enrollment is 596 students.
Allentown Central Catholic board chooses new principal
The Board of Directors of Allentown
Central Catholic High School (ACCHS)
has announced the appointment of Blair
Tiger as the school’s new principal, effective Wednesday, July 1.
Bishop of Allentown John Barres approved the board’s recommendation of
Tiger.
As principal, Tiger, 54, will succeed
the retiring Dennis Nemes who came out
of retirement after a long career in public education to lead ACCHS three years
ago.
Tiger is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He served 22 years in the
U.S. Army as a commissioned infantry
officer, serving in a variety of leadership
positions from the platoon to brigade level in combat as well as overseas.
After his military career, Tiger taught
and coached at St. Bede Academy, Peru,
Ill. for seven years. He has served as an
educational consultant focused on school
culture, technology fielding and strategic
planning.
Tiger earned a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster
University, St. Louis, Mo. and is pursuing a doctorate in organizational development at Benedictine University, Lisle, Ill.
He has been happily married to his
wife Carolyn for 30 years; they have two
children, JP and Megan.
Tiger is looking forward to leading
ACCHS. “I am honored to have been selected to serve at Central Catholic High
School, where I have been warmly welcomed by everyone from the students to
Bishop Barres,” he said.
“I welcome Mr. Tiger to Allentown
Central Catholic and wish him all the
best as he and our dedicated faculty and
staff plan for the upcoming school year,”
said ACCHS Board Chairman Dennis
McCarthy.
McCarthy also spoke very highly of
Nemes. “His three years as principal of
our school and his 40 years of service as
an educator have been extraordinary,”
said McCarthy.
“He has touched the lives of so many
students. We have been truly blessed by
his visionary leadership and tireless commitment to Central Catholic.”
ACCHS was founded in 1927. In the
2014-15 school year it had an enrollment
of 810 students.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR
The Diocese of Allentown provides assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by a priest, deacon or employee/volunteer
of the Diocese/Parish
Parents, guardians, children and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the Diocese of Allentown for more information about this program. The fullness of compassion should be extended to these victims by the Church.
To speak directly to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, please call the direct line 1-800-791-9209.
To learn more about the Diocese of Allentown’s Youth Protection Programs, Sexual Abuse Policy and Code of Conduct, please visit www.
allentowndiocese.org and click on “Youth Protection” at top right.
COORDINADOR DE ASISTENCIA A LAS VÍCTIMAS
La Diócesis de Allentown provee asistencia a cualquier persona que, como menor de edad, fue abusado sexualmente por un sacerdote,
diácono o empleado/voluntario de la Diócesis/Parroquia.
Los padres, tutores, niños y los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual están invitados a contactar la Diócesis de Allentown para obtener más
información sobre este programa. La plenitud de compasión debe extenderse a las víctimas por la Iglesia.
Para hablar directamente con el coordinador de asistencia a las víctimas por favor llame a la línea directa 1-800791-9209.
Para obtener más información acerca de los Programas de Protección de la Juventud, Política de Abuso Sexual y el
Código de Conducta de la Diócesis de Allentown, por favor visite www.allentowndiocese.org y haga clic en “Protección
de la Juventud” en la parte superior derecha.
Diocese
June 18, 2015
The A.D. Times
Rally supports increase in education tax credit programs
By TARA CONNOLLY
Left, Bishop John Barres, left, speaks
with Cindy Fenstermaker, accountant for Allentown Central Catholic
High School (ACCHS), during a rally
for the Opportunity Scholarship Tax
Credit (OSTC) program. (Photos by
John Simitz)
Staff writer
Diocesan officials and educators combined forces with representatives from
state legislators’ offices May 28 to raise
awareness and support for legislation that
would expand the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program and
the Educational Improvement Tax Credit
(EITC).
Allentown Bishop John Barres and
Philip Fromuth, secretary of the Secretariat for Catholic Education, spoke about
the local impact of the programs that provide tax credits to eligible businesses and
tuition assistance during the rally at Allentown Central Catholic High School.
“Our diocesan school system operates 45 schools over five counties serving
12,300 students. Allentown Central Catholic High School is an integral part of this
system. Today we gather in support of
legislation to increase EITC and OSTC
tax credits levels by $100 million in the
upcoming fiscal year,” Fromuth said.
The contributions to OSTC and EITC
provide tuition assistance in the form of
scholarships to eligible students residing
within the boundaries of a low-achieving
school to attend another public or private
school outside of their district.
Legislation that would expand popular
tax credit programs that incentivize companies to fund pre-kindergarden through
grade 12 scholarships and educational
programs passed the Pennsylvania House
of Representatives on May 12.
“The Pennsylvania House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved this
increase and we’re hoping for a similar
vote in the Senate. Since the enactment
of EITC in 2001 and the OSTC in 2012,
these programs have provided thousands
of students from across this great commonwealth educational opportunities that
they would not have been afforded to
them without this legislation,” said Fromuth.
In his remarks, Fromuth maintained
that the bills are effective and do make a
difference.
“In our diocese alone, these programs
have allowed parents the opportunity to
select the education that will best serve
their children, but more important, these
two programs give the opportunity for
students to pursue their dreams,” he said.
Fromuth also pointed out that the twoand four-year college matriculation rate
for ACCHS was 100 percent for graduat-
Below, Philip Fromuth, secretary of
the Secretariat for Catholic Education, describes some of the financial
assistance generated by OSTC that
has benefited diocesan students.
ing seniors.
“This class represented diversity within the Lehigh Valley serving a number of
communities, including the city of Allentown and offering opportunities for students. These students have made the best
of these opportunities,” he said.
According to Fromuth, too often in
education, zip codes are a predictor of
academic opportunities and success.
“Central Catholic defies that concept
as it provides opportunities for students
and how their students have made the
best of these opportunities. We are so
proud that our graduates are academically prepared to achieve in college and
beyond, but also, through the faith-filled
experience at Central Catholic, are prepared to become the productive, serviceorientated and responsible citizens and
leaders in their chosen profession, their
community and in their church,” he said.
Through OSTC and EITC, $4.2 million in scholarships will be made available for new and current students attending diocesan schools.
“While this is great news, the reality
is we have more existing families seeking assistance and more new families
looking for educational opportunities for
their children. In addition, there are many
more donors who would like to get involved in the EITC and OSTC programs
that can’t because the tax credits are exhausted each year with the present program levels,” he said.
If the Senate passes the proposed legislation, the available tax credits would
increase by $100 million and allow additional businesses to become involved in
these two successful programs.
“Ultimately, this would provide educational opportunities to more children
across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pursue their dreams and allow them
to become the faith-filled, well educated,
highly productive and responsible citizens that they aspire to be,” he said.
Bishop Barres noted that the legislation would be key to Hispanic faithful.
“Catholic education is critical to our
beautiful Hispanic community. This legislation would help us continue to serve
them with great love and compassion,”
he said.
Paul Acampora, secretary of the Secretariat for Stewardship and Development,
said the tax credit programs directly impact students and their futures.
“Catholic education makes sense,” he
said.
“Catholic school students are gener-
ally morally and civically engaged. Catholic school graduates are more likely to
vote and make higher wages. And God is
present and active in their lives and they
take him into the world,” said Acampora.
The bill is expected to go before the
Senate for the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
Last year the programs were so popular that the state Department of Community and Economic Development reported that the $100 million of tax credits
available for this fiscal year were claimed
on the very first day. In addition, the $50
million in tax credits for the OSTC were
exhausted by December.
Diocesan staff and OSTC supporters meet in the media room before the rally.
‘Charlie Challenge’ spirit-summoning game can open the door to evil
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
A spirit-summoning game that has
gone viral on social media has prompted
diocesan staff who work with youth to
caution young persons against playing
with demons.
The diocesan Office of Youth and
Young Adult Ministry has alerted parishes and diocesan schools about the hidden dangers of “Charlie Challenge” (also
called “Charlie Charlie”), a game made
out of two pencils and a piece of paper.
The game involves balancing one
pencil on top of another and daring a demon called Charlie to answer questions
by making it point to prewritten answers
of “yes” or “no” on the paper below.
According to one legend, Charlie is a
Mexican child who died. Another legend
deems Charlie as a Mexican demon or
pagan god performing the work of Satan.
To create the game, players draw a
cross on a piece of paper and write “yes”
or “no” in the divisions.
To begin the game a player must ask
Charlie if they can play. If the pencil
points to yes, it signifies that the ghost
or spirit has been conjured up from hell
and gives the player permission to ask a
question.
Adolescents and teenagers have been
asking questions such as whether their
crush likes them, if they will die young
and other facts about their future. They
then upload the encounters on Vine or
other social media outlets.
Encounters depicting the players
screaming or running from the game in
hysteria are surging to the top of the global social media charts and #CharlieCharlieChallenge has been tweeted more than
1.6 million times.
To stop the game, players are required
to chant “Charlie, Charlie, can we stop,”
and wait for the answer of yes before
dropping the pencils to the floor to sever
communication and close the demon portal to their home.
The popular legend also contends
Charlie haunts players who fail to say
goodbye before they close out of the
game.
“This seemingly innocuous, simple
activity involves the occult practice of
calling on demonic spirits. I encourage parents to
speak to their teens about
“This
the dangers of turning to
game
the occult world,” said
has no
Susan Matour, director of
good
OYYAM.
or reFather Allen Hoffa,
chaplain of Allentown
deemCentral Catholic High
ing
School, said while most
value
players dabble in the
to it.”
game out of curiosity the dangers are very real.
“It’s very simple.
Opening the door to the
devil in even the smallest way creates a gateway to evil entering our lives. This game has no good or
redeeming value to it,” he said.
“However, a young person in their
innocence or curiosity could find themselves being consumed by a darkness that
could have severe effects on their relationship with themselves, with others and
most especially with God.
“If we are people of the light, Christ’s
light, then we can never let anything or
anyone allow that light to be threatened
by direct darkness and evil.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
notes:
“All forms of divination are to be
rejected: recourse to Satan or demons,
conjuring up the dead or other practices
falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future.
“Consulting horoscopes, astrology,
palm reading, interpretation of omens
and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance,
and recourse to mediums all conceal a
desire for power over time, history and,
in the last analysis, other human beings,
as well as a wish to conciliate hidden
powers.
“They contradict the honour, respect
and loving fear that we owe to God alone
(2116).
3
4
The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015
‘Fearless Love’ to be
explored in program
The philosophical and theological
reasoning behind the church’s teachings
on human sexuality will be discussed at
“Fearless Love,” sponsored by the diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and
Evangelization.
The free event will be Monday, July
20 at 7 p.m. at Allentown Brew Works,
812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.
Speakers will be Dr. Joshua and Christine Schulz. Dr. Schulz is an expert on
the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and
professor of philosophy at DeSales University, Center Valley. He and his wife
are certified instructors of NFP (Natural
Family Planning).
For more information, contact Allen
Zelno, assistant coordinator of the Office
for Marriage and Family Life Formation,
610-289-8900, ext. 238 or azelno@allentowndiocese.org.
‘Sent to Love: Symposium on the Family’ set for July
“Sent to Love: A Symposium on the
Family” with Dr. Mary Beth Yount will
be offered this summer to prepare for the
World Meeting of Families scheduled for
Sept. 22-25 in Philadelphia.
The symposium will be Monday, July
13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Bethlehem
Catholic High School, 2133 Madison
Ave., Bethlehem.
Yount is director of content and programming for the World Meeting of
Families, an author and renowned speaker, and was named one of “Philadelphia’s
Most Interesting People” by NBC-10.
2015 Peter’s Pence Collection:
‘Be a Witness of Charity’
She will address “Love and Mission”
and the implications in our lives, and will
challenge participants to become “Fully
Alive.”
There will also be a symposium in
Spanish: “Enviado a Amar: Un Simposio
Sobre la Familia,” con Kathia Arango;
‘Quo Vadis’ and ‘Fiat’
vocation camps planned for July
Are you wondering what to do with
your life? Have you asked “What am I
looking for?”
If so, you are not alone. You are in
good company.
People like St. Andrew and St. John
the Evangelist had these same questions
and then found the answers in a man who
was baptized by John the Baptist and
called them to be “fishers of men.”
The diocesan Office of Vocations, in
conjunction with the St. Andrew Committee, will be conducting its third annual
“Quo Vadis” Vocation Camp and its first
“Fiat” Vocation Camp.
The 2015 Annual Peter’s Pence Collection will be taken up in the Diocese of
Allentown the weekend of June 20-21.
Through this collection, Catholics have
an opportunity to support the humanitarian and charitable works of Pope Francis
that reach out to the marginalized and
poor.
The theme for the collection is “Be
a Witness of Charity,” emphasizing the
need to show the mercy of God to others. Donations to this annual worldwide
collection help the pope support victims
of war and religious persecution, natural
disasters, and those suffering around the
world.
“Through the Peter’s Pence Collection
Encourage
group meets
monthly
individuals can join with Pope Francis in
providing much needed care and relief to
those who find themselves suffering or
on the margins,” said Archbishop Dennis
Schnurr of Cincinnati, Ohio, chairman of
the Committee on National Collections
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“This collection is a way to be a witness to the love of Christ in unity with
Catholics all around the world.”
More information about the Peter’s
Pence Collection can be found at http://
www.usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/peters-pence/collection/
index.cfm.
Does a member of your family have
same-sex attraction? Are you having difficulty dealing with the issue? Encourage
is a ministry of the Catholic Church giving faithful witness to Catholic teaching
with compassion.
Group meetings are held monthly in
the Diocese of Allentown. For more information: 610-334-9147 or www.couragerc.org.
Martes 14 de Julio, de 7 a 8:30 de la
noche, en la Escuela Secundaria Bethlehem Catholic (auditorio), 2133 Madison
Ave, Bethlehem.
For more information or to register:
adultformation@allentowndiocese.org,
610-289-8900, ext. 221.
Commission for
Women seeking
new members
The Commission for Women is an advisory body to the Bishop of Allentown
on issues of concern to women and the
church.
To serve on the commission, you must
be a Catholic laywoman in good standing
with the church and her teachings. Members serve three-year terms and represent
all geographic areas of the diocese. The
commission meets four times a year.
There are openings for new members
from Schuylkill, Lehigh and Berks counties, but applications from all interested
candidates are being considered.
To be considered for membership,
send a cover letter of intent, resume and
letter of recommendation from your pastor by Saturday, July 18 to Commission
for Women, 900 S. Woodward St., Allentown, PA 18103.
For more information, contact Mary
Fran Hartigan, 610-289-8900, ext. 226 or
mhartigan@allentowndiocese.org.
The camps will take place Sunday,
July 19 through Thursday, July 23 at DeSales University, Center Valley.
Both camps are open to young men
and women age 14 to 18.
The five-day events will include time
for personal and group prayer, Mass and
other Catholic devotions, talks by priests
and religious sisters, and sports and other
activities.
Deadline to register is Monday, July 6.
For more information and registration
materials, visit www.allentowndiocese.
org/the-diocese/vocations/.
Diocese
June 18, 2015
The A.D. Times
St. Ambrose and All Saints choirs to perform in Cape May
The combined choir of St Ambrose,
Schuylkill Haven and All Saints, McAdoo are “on their way to Cape May.”
The choirs comprised of more than
60 voices directed by Ron Byer will sing
Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. in the Cape May
Convention Center, New Jersey.
Each summer season the Cape May
community offers six free concerts to visitors and vacationers. The choir’s musical tribute to our “Homeland – America”
will be one of these six concerts.
The convention center seats 850, and
the choirs invite parishioners from the
Diocese of Allentown to attend to celebrate our homeland.
Last summer the choirs recognized
our heritage during concerts at the two
churches.
A raised American flag held by a
community firetruck ladder arch greeted
those attending the cantata performances.
Announcing the choir’s entrance was
Ben Franklin, portrayed by Father David
Loeper, pastor of St. John the Baptist,
Pottsville. (This year in Cape May, David
Prekopa of All Saints will impersonate
Ben Franklin.) Drummer Rick Dasch of
St. Ambrose choir led the musical group
to the stage.
As everyone attending stood, the local
American Legion honor guard presented
the colors while the choir sang “The Star
Spangled Banner.” As the choir celebrated “America the Beautiful,” a PowerPoint photo presentation was projected to
The combined choir gathers at St. Ambrose for a rehearsal of “Homeland – America.”
screens on each side. It continued through
the finale, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Strolling down the church’s center
aisle toward the choir, who joined him
in song, Msgr. Edward Zemanik, pastor
of St. Ambrose, sang his opening solo,
the first verse of Woodie Guthrie’s “This
Land is Your Land.”
A salute to our 50 states and armed
Save the date for conference on
including children with autism,
other developmental disabilities
“Including Children With Autism/
Other Developmental Disabilities in
Church and School” will be the topic of a
conference in October for directors/coordinators of religious education, teachers,
catechists, parents of children with disabilities, clergy, seminarians, and parish/
school advocates.
The event will be Saturday, Oct. 17
from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the parish hall
of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, 433 Pershing
Blvd., Whitehall.
It is co-sponsored by the Diocese of
Allentown Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities and Office of Religious Education, and Loyola Press.
Speaker will be Deacon Dr. Larry Sutton, a psychologist, catechist and author
representative of Loyola Press, discussing the new series “Adaptive Finding
God.”
forces were highlights of the cantata.
Krista Strause of St. Ambrose and Courtney Rodick of All Saints, program narrators, honored and thanked all active
military and veterans in the audience for
their service. Jerome Macey of All Saints
played taps, paying tribute to deceased
veterans listed in both churches’ memorial books.
Members of both churches donned
native heritage attire and walked handin-hand down the aisles as the choir sang
“We Shall Overcome” and “Lean on
Me.”
Supporting musicians who accompanied the choir included Mary Ellen Johns
of St. Ambrose, violin; Jerome Macey of
All Saints, trumpet; Tyler Mariano of All
Saints, piano; and Rick Dasch of St. Ambrose, percussion.
Death
Religious sister
Sister Rose Monica Katusz, 68, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 47
years, died May 30 at Assisi House, Aston.
In the Diocese of Allentown she
taught at Holy Name High School, Reading 1974-79.
She also ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, primarily in education on elementary, secondary and college levels, and in missionary work in
Africa and Alaska.
In 2012 she received an award from
the Children of God Relief Fund, recognizing her help to establish Lawson High
School in Nyumbani Village in Nairobi,
Kenya. In 2014 she received the Franciscan Heritage Award from the Catholic
High School of Baltimore.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 2 at Our Lady of Angels Convent
Chapel, Aston.
5
The A.D. Times
6
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Holy Ghost honors pastor emeritus at Pentecost Vigil Mass
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
Pentecost was celebrated in a very
special way this year at Holy Ghost,
Bethlehem, as Bishop John Barres celebrated the May 23 Vigil Mass for the
parish’s feast day.
After Mass the former convent building was named in honor of the parish’s
pastor emeritus, Msgr. Richard Loeper,
who is celebrating his 65th anniversary of
ordination this spring.
Bishop Barres was principal celebrant
of the 4 p.m. Mass, which was preceded
by confessions and the Litany of the Holy
Spirit. Concelebrating were Msgr. Loeper
and Father Clifton Bishop, pastor of Holy
Ghost and Incarnation of Our Lord, Bethlehem.
Father Bishop said the Msgr. Richard J. Loeper Hall will be the education Above, Bishop John Barres, right, celebrates the Vigil Mass for Pentecost May
center of the parish. The building – the 23 at Holy Ghost Bethlehem; Msgr. Richard Loeper stands at left behind the
convent that once housed the Sisters of altar. The bishop is flanked by Ron Koach, pastoral assistant at Holy Ghost,
St. Francis of Philadelphia (Glen Riddle) left, and Deacon Stephen Gorbos. (Photos by John Simitz)
– will house the PREP office, and deacon
Below, displaying the sign honoring Msgr. Richard Loeper are, from left, Ron
office on the first floor.
“I will continue with converting a liv- Koach, Father Clifton Bishop, Msgr. Loeper and Bishop John Barres. The sign
ing room space into a daily Mass cha- marks the Msgr. Richard J. Loeper Hall, the former convent that will be the
pel,” Father Bishop said, adding the cha- education center of the parish.
pel was an idea of former pastor Father
Wayne Killian. The second floor will be assignment before being ordained a deacon,” Father Bishop said.
converted into classrooms.
All current parishioners, as well as
“Msgr. Loeper, like Msgr. Billinger,
is always a presence here even when he family members and friends who no longer attend Holy
is not physically
Ghost, were inwith us,” Father
vited to attend.
Bishop said, referThe Msgr. Richard J. Loeper
Assisting
at
encing another forHall will be the education
Mass were Deamer pastor, the late
con Donald Elliot,
center of the parish.
Msgr.
Reginald
formerly of Holy
Billinger.
Ghost and now
“Msgr. Loeper
serving Assumpwas my pastor
when I was a third year theologian at tion BVM, Bethlehem, and Deacon SteMount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmits- phen Gorbos of Holy Ghost.
A social and buffet supper wrapped up
burg, Md. Actually, being assigned with
him at Holy Ghost was my only summer the festive evening.
Bishop John Barres offers the homily
during the liturgy that marked the parish’s feast day.
Vibrant Parishes as Schools of Prayer and the New Evangelization
The Diocese of Allentown is committed to pastoral and strategic
planning that cultivates vibrant parishes that are schools of prayer
and the New Evangelization.
•
Vibrant parishes make a vibrant diocese.
•
The diocese is a champion of the parish and respects the individual identity and charism of each parish (principle of subsidiarity) while seeking to
see the individual needs of each parish in the context of pastoral diocesan/regional planning, planning that makes the parish and the diocese
together prophetic catalysts of holiness and mission.
•
Pope Francis: “The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours
depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and
the community…. In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its
members to be evangelizers.”
Above, Bishop John Barres speaks with altar servers and, from left, Ron Koach, Deacon Donald Elliott and Father Clifton Bishop.
Left, Bishop John Barres meets parishioners with Father Clifton Bishop after
the liturgy.
Diocese
June 18, 2015
enthusiasm of the other riders and learn
a bit about their journey. It allowed me
the chance to connect with priests from
another area, especially now in the ear}}Continued from page 1
ly years of my priesthood,” said Father
amazing brotherhood that spans the bor- Harper.
“Our 13-mile journey was nothing
ders of any state or diocese in our consecration and life of service to Jesus Christ compared to the total extent of their journey, but it was a great gesture of welcome
and his church,” said Father Searles.
The men then biked 13 miles in heavy to these travelers.”
Before biking to the Pennsylvania
rains and slippery conditions to St. Franborder, Father Sullivan said, a rider fell
cis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem.
“I knew priests from Allentown were and injured his shoulder, and the team
going to meet us at some point. It was a encountered steep hills along the Hudson
great surprise to see them waiting for us River, deer crossings and damp weather.
“But each day we prayed the
to cross into Pennsylvania. To see them
Angelus
together. We even stopped
there was wonderful and a real boost for
on a street corner at noon to pray it
our morale,” said Father Sullivan.
“We woke up to rain and it rained non- together. We said afternoon prayer
stop during our ride through New Jersey. when we stopped for lunch,” he said.
Outpourings of support from
It was by far the hardest and longest day.
They were the first priests to meet us strangers, the diocesan priests and
and ride with since we started. We really the School Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have made the ride
needed to see them,” he said.
Father Searles, a native of Easton, more enjoyable, he said.
“During a lunch break a man saw
guided the pack through parts of Easton,
us
praying together. He asked what
on the Palmer bike path and through
we were doing. When we told him
Bethlehem.
“Father Gibbons and Father Harper are we were riding for Catholic educabig bicycle riders, and as the local guy, I tion – he immediately handed us a
was glad to guide the riders through the donation,” he said.
Their arrival at the center spurred
beautiful and historic city of Easton and
the
sisters to welcome them by ringgive them a proper welcome along their
ing bells, while a lead car beeped
exciting journey,” he said.
“Although their ride was to benefit its horn and guided them up the enCatholic schools in Connecticut, we can trance road.
After a one-night stay, the team
never miss an
biked an estimated
opportunity
48 miles to the Jeto promote
suit Center, Werner“I knew priests from Allenthe
values
sville, where they
of Catholic
town were going to meet us
stayed one night beeducation in
at some point. It was a great
fore setting out for York.
general in evsurprise to see them waiting
The team was expectery state, as
ed
to complete the pilfor
us
to
cross
into
Pennsylit has formed
grimage June 4, celebratvania. To see them there was
a rock solid
ing with Mass, evening
foundation
wonderful and a real boost
prayer and dinner.
for countless
for our morale.”
As of June 2, the team
people across
had exceeded the $50,000
our nation. It
donation mark for variwas also fun
ous Catholic schools.
to enjoy some exercise and fraternity with
One
of
the
contributions
was $700 raised
my brother priests,” said Father Searles.
“It was great to meet them. The priest- by Catholic elementary school students
hood is a brotherhood. It was nice to be who sought a penny a mile from donors.
For more information, visit website
there and bring them into Pennsylvania,”
www.ourfathersride.com.
said Father Gibbons.
“It was a great experience to see the
The A.D. Times
Cycling
Father Joseph Currie, standing fourth from left, rector of Jesuit Center, Wernersville, welcomes priests and seminarians from the Archdiocese of Hartford,
Conn. biking for “Our Father’s Ride.” (Photo courtesy Jesuit Center)
Above, cyclists and staff from
“Our Father’s Ride” are greeted
June 1 by School Sisters of the
Third Order Regular of St. Francis at St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem. The center
hosted the team of priests participating in a bicycle pilgrimage from Lourdes in Litchfield,
Conn. to the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg,
Md. (Photo by Ed Koskey)
Priests of the Diocese of Allentown escort cyclists for “Our
Father’s Ride” over the bridge
from Phillipsburg, N.J. into
Easton. Diocesan priests leading the team into the boundaries of the diocese are, from
left (all in black), Father James
Harper, Father John Gibbons
and Father Mark Searles. (Photo by Ed Koskey)
Vocations
The Diocese of Allentown dynamically promotes vocations to the
priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese is reaching out to young people through social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
• We are tapping into the energy and enthusiasm of our young
priests to find new ways to interest young men and women in the priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese has instituted a “Quo Vadis” program, a weeklong summer
program of prayer and discernment in which dozens of young men have
participated.
• A similar program called “Fiat” for young women discerning a call to religious life will debut this year.
• The diocese also assists young adult men who are seriously contemplating
the priesthood through an Aspirancy Program.
• For more information, visit the diocesan website, www.allentowndiocese.
org/the-diocese/vocations.
Priests of the Diocese of Allentown meet priests and seminarians from the
Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn. to ride with them to promote Catholic education.
From left are Father John Gibbons; Jerwin Cagampang Penido, seminarian;
Father Thomas Hickey; Matt Collins, seminarian; Father Stephen Sledesky;
Father Jim Sullivan, team leader; Father James Harper; Father Mark Searles;
Father Anthony Smith; Father Dennis Connell; and Father Joe Blenkle. (Photo
by Ed Koskey)
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The A.D. Times
Sports
June 18, 2015
Diocesan clergy golf tournament returns
After a few years’ hiatus the annual
Diocese of Allentown Clergy Golf Tournament was played June 9 at Southmoore
Golf Course, Bath, with 19 priests and
deacons of the diocese participating.
Reigning champion Msgr. Edward
Domin defended his title by shooting a
blistering 3 over par (74).
Rounding out the top five in the priest
division were: second, Father Jason
Stokes (87); third, Father Keith Mathur
(88); fourth, Father John Pendzick (94);
and tied for fifth, Father Brian Miller and
Father Allen Hoffa (97).
In the senior priest division (65 and
older) champion was Father Francis
Schoenauer, who shot 91.
Rounding out the top five seniors:
second, Msgr. Joseph Smith (94); third,
Msgr. William Handges (101); fourth, Father Joseph Muller (104); and fifth, Msgr.
Thomas Hoban (111).
The deacon division champion was
Deacon William Autrey, with a score of
86.
Rounding out the top five deacons:
second, Deacon Lawrence Lonergan
(96); third, Deacon John Stapleton (97);
fourth, Deacon George Kelly (102); and
fifth, Deacon Lewis Ferris (107).
Closest to the pin on hole 3 was Father Stokes (8 feet, 6 inches) and longest
drive on hole 10 was Father Pendzick
(287 yards).
Proceeds from the tournament were
donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society
of St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
Special thanks went to C.J. Wagner
Trophies and Awards for donating the
trophies.
Winners and their trophies are, from
left: Deacon William Autrey, Msgr.
Edward Domin and Father Francis
Schoenauer.
Holy Family student is Knights of
Columbus state free throw champion
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
Abigail Wachter, an eighth grade student of Holy Family School, Nazareth,
won the Knights of Columbus Free Throw
Contest Pennsylvania State Championship at Trinity High School, Camp Hill.
Wachter competed in her age and
gender group at the state championship
after capturing the Catholic Youth Organization District 1 Championship, the Allentown Diocese Championship and the
Northeast Region Championship.
Each participant was given three
warmups before shooting one round of
25 free throws in the state competition.
Wachter dropped 19 of 25 from the foul
line to capture the award.
The championship is set up to have
the contestants compete within their own
gender and age group. All competition
starts at the local level. Winners move on
to the district, regional, and state or provincial levels. From there, some make it
to the international level for championship competition in their group.
The International Free Throw Championship was established in 1972 by the
Knights of Columbus for boys and girls
ages 9 to 14.
Bishop of Allentown John Barres a
former collegiate basketball player at
Princeton University, N.J., is a strong
supporter of the Free Throw Championship.
He sees the focus and discipline re-
Abigail Wachter with her championship trophy.
quired to achieve athletic excellence as
being valuable in the faith formation and
character development of young people.
In addition, healthy competition helps
young people to handle both good fortune and adversity with grace and dignity.
To view a brief video of Bishop Barres
discussing the virtues of the Free Throw
Championship and the Soccer Challenge,
visit http://bit.ly/1BctC3g.
Tee up for Aug. 16 Holy Family
Manor golf tournament
The 11th Annual Holy Family Manor
Open Golf Tournament will be Sunday,
Aug. 16 at the Bethlehem Golf Club.
The event will include a hot dog lunch,
round of golf, prizes, refreshments, a dinner, a raffle and camaraderie, all to benefit
programs and services for residents of Holy
Family Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center, Bethlehem.
Tournament registration will open at
11:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
The fee to participate is $100 per person. Sponsors, golfers and raffle prizes are
needed.
Holy Family Manor was founded 50
years ago as a home for 42 older adults
“where love of God and love of neighbor
abound.”
The need for loving, compassionate care
based on Catholic values is needed more
than ever, and today Holy Family Manor
Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides
care to approximately 350 older adults each
year, even when they have outlived their financial resources.
Last year Holy Family Manor provided
more than $4.5 million in charitable care.
Please join us for a day of golf, fun
and fellowship to support programs and
services that ensure that every resident receives quality physical, emotional, social,
and spiritual care with respect, dignity and
compassion.
For more information on how to become
a sponsor, donate a raffle prize or register to
golf, contact Ann Ruggiero, 610-997-8409
or development@cshhcs.org.
It pays to advertise in
The
A.D. Times.
Contact Lori Anderson
at
landerson@
allentowndiocese.org
or 610-871-5200,
extension 273
World
June 18, 2015
The A.D. Times
Bishops discuss upcoming encyclical, pope’s visit, top priorities
ST. LOUIS (CNS) – The U.S. bishops
gathered in St. Louis, Mo. for their spring
general assembly heard presentations on
the pope’s upcoming encyclical on the
environment, the U.S. church’s ongoing
work in promoting traditional marriage
and the need to remain vigilant in protecting children from abuse.
On the first day of their meeting June
10, there also were reports on the bishops’ efforts to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform and their help
in rebuilding work in Haiti, which is still
recovering from the 2010 earthquake.
On the second day of the assembly’s
public sessions June 11, the bishops
heard a report on a draft for priorities and
plans for the U.S. Catholic Conference of
Bishop for 2017-20. The report, which
was up for a vote, started a lively discussion about what the bishops’ top focus
should be.
Several bishops spoke about the need
to put concern for poverty at the top of
the list to keep in line with the message
and ministry of Pope Francis. The bishops voted to rework the draft document,
incorporating the feedback given.
In a 165-5 vote, the bishops approved
the inclusion of revised canticles for the
Liturgy of the Hours for use in U.S. dioceses. It required a two-thirds vote of the
Latin Church members of the USCCB.
The bishops also voted to permit the
Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life
and Vocations to seek a renewed “recognitio,” or approval, from the Vatican for
the USCCB’s “Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition” for an additional
five-year period without any changes to
the norms.
In an afternoon presentation, married
couples talked to the bishops about how
they can encourage the vocation of marriage in their dioceses. The bishops also
heard from Curtis Martin, founder and
CEO of FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. He encouraged
them to continue to lead young people to
live the Gospel message.
During the two daylong public sessions of the June 10-12 assembly, there
was a lot of discussion on the much-anticipated arrival of Pope Francis in September for the World Meeting of Families, and other stops and other upcoming
gatherings, such as next year’s World
Youth Day in Krakow, Poland and a 2017
convocation.
The bishops also were urged to keep
pace with technological advances as a
means to spread the Gospel message and
advised to keep the “digital doors” of the
church open.
In the discussion of the pope’s upcoming encyclical on the environment
and human ecology, eight days before
its scheduled release, the bishops were
called on to help Catholics understand its
message.
Pope Francis will challenge the assumptions of “both the left and the right”
with the document, said Bishop Oscar
Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on
International Justice and Peace.
He also said it would have international implications, particularly regarding
solidarity with the world’s poor.
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski,
chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development,
said the document will likely highlight
climate change as “a moral issue,” point-
ing out that the poor suffer the most from
consequences of improper care of the environment even though “they have contributed the least to climate change.”
He said the pope would not be speaking as a scientist or a politician but as
a shepherd and that the bishops, who
“aren’t novices” on care for the environment, can’t “opt out” of this conversation.
Addressing the pending U.S. Supreme
Court ruling on same-sex marriage, expected in late June, Archbishop Salvatore
J. Cordileone of San Francisco said that
no matter how the court rules, it “won’t
change traditional marriage” and the
bishops will continue to defend it as the
church teaches.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised
the “courageous leadership” of Archbishop Cordileone in the effort and the
bishops gave him a sustained round of
applause.
A major topic of the day was Pope
Francis’ September visit to the U.S.
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput
said the Sept. 22-27 World Meeting of
Families – the pope will be there for the
last two days – is expected to draw the
most participants from the United States,
Canada, Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. He also said an expected crowd
of more than 1 million will be in Philadelphia.
A message to the pope from the bishops, which was read to the assembly,
stressed how they looked forward to
meeting him and would “accompany him
in prayer” in his visit.
At the start of the meeting, the USCCB’s president noted that the bishops
were gathered not far from Ferguson and
that the bishops’ November general assembly will be in Baltimore – two places
roiled in past months by protests, violence in the streets and looting following
the deaths of two young African-Americans after confrontations with white police officers.
Archbishop Kurtz urged the bishops
to encourage Catholics to take concrete
measures to help end racism, including
praying for peace and healing, promoting justice for all people, being “truly
welcoming” of families of different racial
and religious backgrounds. People also
should get to know their community’s
law enforcement officers, he said.
Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of
Seattle, Wash., chairman of the Committee on Migration, encouraged the bishops to visit immigrant detention centers
in their dioceses to better understand the
conditions under which immigrants who
enter the country without documents are
being held.
At times during the meeting, the bishops could be seen checking their tablets
or smartphones, scrolling for messages.
Such was the case for Archbishop John
Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on
Communications.
Modern communications are “evolving at a dizzying rate,” the archbishop
said in his committee report. He urged
the bishops to reach out to Catholics
where they are – online. To help them in
that effort, he said, the USCCB would
be launching a Catholic Church app this
summer, something the bishops can make
particular use of during the pope’s visit.
USCCB plans fourth annual Fortnight for Freedom with events nationwide
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Threats to
religious freedom continue to emerge,
making it more urgent for people of faith
to take action to defend the full realm of
religious practice, said Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore.
Speaking during a May 28 webinar
announcing the fourth annual Fortnight
for Freedom, Archbishop Lori called on
Catholics to learn about the importance
of religious liberty throughout the history of the United States and to actively
promote free religious practice during the
two-week period beginning Sunday, June
21.
This year’s fortnight observance will
open with Mass at 10:45 a.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption BVM in Baltimore, Md. and
close Saturday, July 4 with Mass at noon
at the Basilica of the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
“Religious freedom is not something
that stands alone. It’s not simply a legal
question for the church. It pertains very
much to the new evangelization,” Archbishop Lori explained.
This year’s fortnight observance
theme is the “Freedom to Bear Witness,”
stemming from the Gospel message that
Jesus came to the world to bear witness to
the truth, explained Hillary Byrnes, assistant general counsel for the USCCB, who
joined the archbishop during the webinar.
She said dozens of local events in dio-
ceses across the country are planned, including prayer services, discussions and
charitable works.
“We would definitely encourage people to attend those events as well as read
and educate yourself on religious freedom,” Byrnes told the nationwide audience of diocesan employees and parish
leaders.
“We’re looking this year to raise
With Jim and Jeannie Gaffigan, it’s a family affair
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Jim Gaffigan, the comic actor known both for his
funny books like “Dad Is Fat” and “Food:
A Love Story” and his inclusion of his
Catholicism in his stand-up routines, has
a close collaborator: his wife, Jeannie.
“We’re truly partners,” Jeannie Gaffigan said during a June 11 teleconference
with Jim to promote their TV Land cable
sitcom, “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” She
doesn’t finish his sentences, but she can
finish his jokes.
“I can write in Jim’s voice well,” she
added. “I can understand his views about
bacon. They’re not my point of view
about bacon, but I know how his is funnier.”
“For comedians to have a writing partner is very rare,” Jim said. “I was rather
reluctant to get in with anyone. But Jeannie was so good.”
The show is scheduled to premiere on
TV Land Wednesday, July 15 (Check local listings for time). A sneak peak can be
viewed on his website, www.jimgaffigan.
com.
The couple’s collaboration started
with “Welcome to New York,” a shortlived CBS sitcom from 2000.
Writing for TV, Jeannie said, “was
something he was not familiar with,
and I was. I was running a not-for profit
theater company. We lived on the same
block. Jim asked me to help him work on
scripts. I was glad to do so. We started
working together, and we really just connected.”
“I lived across from this church where
I got married in and our kids got baptized
in,” Jim noted. “I didn’t go in this church
for 15 years. And then I met Jeannie. I
had this romantic notion of having a lot
of kids; I’m one of six. I would walk by
Jeannie, and she would get pregnant.”
awareness of religious freedom so people
don’t take it for granted,” she added.
Archbishop Lori said government
policies, such as the federal mandate to
include a full range of contraceptives in
employee health insurance and the redefinition of marriage throughout the
country, pose growing threats to religious
freedom.
The fortnight, he said, also is meant to
draw attention to the dangers to religious
liberty around the world as Christians and
people of other faith traditions face persecution, limits on their freedom and death.
“Pope Francis pointed out that we are
truly living in an age of martyrs,” the
archbishop said. “I think we have to pay
a lot of attention to the sacrifices which
people are making for their faith around
the world. Many Christians are being
persecuted, beheaded. And Muslims are
being persecuted for not being Muslim
enough.
For more information, visit www.Fortnight4Freedom.com.
9
10
The A.D. Times
Youth & Young Adults
June 18, 2015
A ‘great adventure’ in faith kicks off summer Theology on Tap
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
When someone hears “Great Adventure” – especially in the Lehigh Valley
and in the summer – thoughts likely turn
to Six Flags Great Adventure, the amusement park in Jackson Township, N.J.
A terrific destination, thrills, making
memories – what’s not to like about that
adventure?
As wonderful as the
The next summer
amusement
Theology on Tap
park is, Faevents are slated
ther Keith
for Mondays,
Laskowski
July 6 and Aug. 3
had an even
better “great
from 7 to 9 p.m.
adventure”
at Allentown
across the
Brew Works, 812
Atlantic that
Hamilton St. Dr.
was thrilling
Joshua Schulz,
in a different way and
professor of phileft him with
losophy at Defantastic
Sales University,
memories.
Center Valley will
Oh, and
present “A Right
one
more
thing … it
to Religion: Freewas
filled
dom of Faith”
with faith.
July 6. For more
Father
information, visit
Laskowski
www.allentownshared his
experience –
diocese.org/tot
“The Great
or email oyyam@
Adventure:
allentowndioPilgrims in
cese.org.
Faith” – as
he kicked off
the three-part summer Theology on Tap
series June 1 at Allentown Brew Works.
Father Laskowski, administrator of
Our Lady of Mercy, Easton, highlighted
his 2013 pilgrimage experience on the
Camino de Santiago and how it relates
to our pilgrimage through faith and life.
He was a chaplain for 14 college students
with the Fellowship of College and University Students (FOCUS) (www.focus.
org).
“Take time to reflect on your life, your
day … this allows you to see the footprints of God in your day and your life,”
said Father Laskowski.
The Camino de Santiago (The Way of
St. James) refers to any of the pilgrimage routes to the shrine of the apostle St.
James the Great in northwestern Spain.
Father Laskowski went on a portion of
the Camino Frances. His group walked
200 miles in 13 days. The entire Camino
Frances is close to 500 miles.
The shrine of St. James the Great is in
the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where
tradition states the remains of the saint
are buried. Many take the route as a form
of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth.
The Way of St. James was one of
the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times, together
with Rome and Jerusalem, and pilgrimage route on which a plenary indulgence
could be earned.
Father Laskowski noted the 2010
American film “The Way,” gives a
glimpse of the adventure and promotes
the tradition pilgrimage. The film is directed, produced and written by Emilio
Estevez and stars his father, Martin
“Take time to reflect
on your life, your
day … this allows
you to see the footprints of God in your
day and your life,”
Father Keith Laskowski tells young
adults gathered for
“The Great Adventure: Pilgrims in
Faith.” (Photos by
John Simitz)
Below, some of the
things Father Keith
Laskowski took on
his pilgrimage, including
religious
items and his walking stick.
Sheen.
In an interesting presentation highlighted by a slideshow of photos from the
pilgrimage, Father Laskowski related stories from his journey, during which pilgrims from around the world would greet
each other with “Buen Camino” (good
way) along the way.
Sharing spiritual lessons he learned
from the experience, Father Laskowski
said, “Silence sharpens the senses,” noting in silence he more readily heard the
trickle of water or the chirping of birds.
“We walked over stones, paths, through
small villages and saw lots of nature, lots
of beauty.”
“God’s beauty is all around us. Take
quiet time and be still,” he said, adding
the group saw amazing sunsets, sunrises
and animals on the walk.
“Small steps are still steps. Keep
walking. This applies to life, too,” Father
Laskowski said. “Sometimes obstacles in
life seem to be overwhelming but keep
going.”
Father Laskowski said suffering is a
part of life, “but somehow in the mystery of God’s plan, God is still with us in
suffering.” On the Camino de Santiago,
Father Laskowski and other pilgrims
learned the importance of “to pop or not
pop blisters. You address the wounds and
Please see ADVENTURE page 11 }}
Youth and Young Adults
•
•
•
Father Keith Laskowski chats with, from left, Angelo De Raymond, parishioner
of St. Anthony of Padua, Easton; and David Prichard and Susan Bradley, parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy, Easton.
The Diocese of Allentown provides diocesanwide and regional
youth events throughout the year.
Increase the service activities and spirituality of the Catholic
Youth Organization.
Offer young adults opportunities to gather for community and fellowship,
which include service- and faith-based activities.Serve as a resource to
parishes in the formation of youth and young adults as disciples of Jesus
Christ.
June 18, 2015
Youth & Young Adults
The A.D. Times
Salve anniversary dance celebrates the past, looks to the future
“At the Hop” was only one
of the 1950s classics played at
the Salve Sock Hop, which took
place to celebrate the young adult
group’s one-year anniversary,
May 30 at the Cathedral of St.
Catherine of Siena, Allentown.
Salve was established in 2014
as the diocesan regional young
adult group for the Lehigh Valley.
“This group is here for you,
and it can be whatever you want
or need it to be,” said Salve
President Sheila MacLean to the
over 50 young adults gathered,
“whether it is a community of
friends, being spiritually uplifted,
or if you feel you have gifts God
is calling you to use in service,
this group can be an outlet for
that as well.”
Those in attendance broke the
ice with an East Coast Swing lesson, taught by Salve member Will
Reiser. Then the young adults
had a chance to eat, mingle and
cut a rug to a mix of classic ’50s
hits, as well as modern favorites.
Prizes were awarded throughout the
night for best male and female 1950s costume.
“Salve is a Christ-centered community that supports, unites and encourages
Catholic young adults. As disciples striving to witness to the truth, we strengthen
our individual relationship with Christ
and challenge each other to live authentic
lives of love. Salve supports young adults
in the Lehigh Valley ages 21 to 35.”
For more information or upcoming
events: Facebook “Salve Young Adults”
or http://salveyoungadults.org/.
Far left, Jorne Gilbert
and Jenna Atkinson try
out some new dance
moves. (Photo courtesy Joseph Marlin)
Left, Salve President,
Sheila MacLean, welcomes everyone to the
event. (Photo courtesy
Joseph Marlin)
Below, young adults
let loose at the Sock
Hop. (Photo courtesy
Joseph Marlin)
Left, DJ Tim D’Emidio keeps
the ’50s tracks spinning. (Photo
courtesy Alexa Doncsecz)
Right, three women of St. Jane
Frances de Chantal, Easton
show off their ’50s duds. (Photo
courtesy Joseph Marlin)
Adventure
}}Continued from page 10
take medicine – in this case, Advil,” he
said with a smile.
“Sometimes in life we’re hurt by our
own choices. Jesus is the medicine, in
the sacrament of reconciliation and in
prayer.”
Another lesson is that food brings
people together. “We had great meals that
gave us the opportunity to talk and get
to know one another,” Father Laskowski
said.
“The Eucharist is food for the journey,” Father Laskowski said. “Jesus
chose to give of himself in a meal, the
Eucharist.” He said the group saw some
beautiful churches and cathedrals, and
celebrated Mass in a park, which was also
beautiful.
“Follow the signs,” Father Laskowski
said, relating another spiritual lesson
learned. He explained the trail markers were yellow arrows, signs put there
by someone who walked the trail before
them. “You have to trust the person who
went before. In the Catholic Church, we
believe in the teachings of Jesus, the Ten
Commandments – markers in life to keep
us on the path.”
“Sometimes we get off the path, and
someone shows us the way back,” Father
Laskowski said. “Being a follower of
Christ means staying on the path others
have gone before us.”
Father Laskowski said he packed more
clothing than was advised or needed for
the pilgrimage, and it became very heavy
to carry.
“What are you carrying? What do we
carry in our spiritual backpacks? What do
we carry that we don’t need?”
Father Laskowski said we also sometimes carry baggage in relationships, such
as holding on to anger, and this weighs us
down.
“Recognize the needs of others and
help them carry their burden.”
“We’re all at different stages on the
journey,” Father Laskowski said. This
was true of pilgrims on the Camino all
aiming for the same destination – the Cathedral of Santiago – and it’s the same in
our spiritual life, as our ultimate destination is heaven.
Father Laskowski’s group arrived in
Santiago on the eve of the feast of St.
James (Santiago). Though it has religious
roots, the celebrating in town is not really
religious – sort of like St. Patrick’s Day
in New York City, according to Father
Laskowski. However, on the same day
there was a horrible train accident and the
whole town was in mourning.
The pilgrimage, Father Laskowski
said, was an amazing experience, including meeting tons of people from around
the world.
“Walking with others has its challenges,” he said, noting another spiritual
lesson.
Father Laskowski said one day while
walking the thought “Keep your heart
open” kept crossing his mind. Then he
saw someone had written these English
words on a wall by the road in Spain:
“Open Ur Heart Wider.”
“I encourage you to use this as a sim-
ple prayer, ‘Lord, help me to open my
heart wider.’”
“Life is beautiful but not easy. God
promises us he’ll walk with us on the
journey,” Father Laskowski said.
Theology on Tap is sponsored by the
diocesan Office of Youth and Young
Adult Ministry (OYYAM).
It is designed to allow young adults
(21 to 35 years), single or married, to
come together in a comfortable and relaxed setting to share community, learn
more about their faith and discuss faith
topics relevant to their life experiences. It
originated in the Archdiocese of Chicago,
Ill.
The next summer Theology on Tap
events are slated for Mondays, July 6
and Aug. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. Dr.
Joshua Schulz, professor of philosophy at
DeSales University, Center Valley, will
present “A Right to Religion: Freedom of
Faith” July 6.
For more information, visit www.allentowndiocese.org/tot or e-mail oyyam@allentowndiocese.org.
11
12
The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015
National Spelling Bee spells success for diocesan students
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
The two diocesan students who
qualified for this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee did not make it into the
semifinals during the May 24-29 bee
near Washington, D.C.
Hillary Good, an eighth-grader at
LaSalle Academy, Shillington, made
it through round two. Her word was
“odori,” and she
spelled it correctly to make it
Both LaSalle
to round three.
Academy and
The word she
St. Jane Franout on was
ces de Chantal went
“ripicolous” at
School exthe end of round
pressed enthu- three.
siastic congratJohn Grifone,
ulations to the an eighth-grader
at St. Jane Franstudents.
ces de Chantal
School, Easton,
spelled all his
words correctly in the oral rounds –
“antibiotic” and “pasquinade” – but
was not chosen for the semifinals after
a written test.
There were 285 spellers, and 49
made it to the semifinals.
All spellers received a Surface 3
with keyboard and stylus from Microsoft; Webster’s Third New Internation-
al Dictionary, Unabridged, including
a CD-ROM from Merriam-Webster;
The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award – a
2015 United States Mint Proof Set presented by Jay Sugarman in honor of his
father; and a one-year membership to
Britannica Online Premium from Encyclopedia Britannica.
To qualify for the national bee,
Good, the daughter of Todd and Kristen Good, won the Berks County Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Reading
Eagle. Grifone, son of Michael and
Mary Grifone, won the regional finals
of the Scripps National Spelling Bee
sponsored by The Express-Times and
lehighvalleylive.com.
Both LaSalle Academy and St. Jane
Frances de Chantal School expressed
enthusiastic congratulations to the students.
The finals were broadcast May 28 on
ESPN.
Updates and news were posted on
Facebook, Twitter (hashtag #spellingbee), YouTube, Instagram (hashtag
#scrippsbee) and Flickr.
The bee’s purpose is to help students
improve their spelling, increase their
vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help
them all their lives.
For more information about the bee,
visit www.spellingbee.com.
All the spellers onstage for the announcement of semifinalists.
Education
The Diocese of Allentown has a vibrant and vital 21st century Catholic school system.
•
Our schools emphasize academic excellence and Catholic formation.
•
Fully 96 percent of our high school students go on to college.
•
Our schools enhance evangelization.
•
When non-Catholics attend Catholic schools, the result often is the student and his or her family embraces the faith.
‘Spiritual Moms’
needed to pray for
seminary program
‘Authentic Moments’ art exhibit
at Sacred Heart Hospital
The Institute for Priestly Formation
(IPF) at Creighton University, Omaha,
Neb. invites those who are willing to
pray for priests and seminarians during a
10-week spiritual formation program this
summer.
“Spiritual Moms” will pray one or
more Hail Marys daily for the group of
attending seminarians.
Those praying and others are invited to
a Holy Hour, tentatively set for Wednesday, July 8 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown, followed by a reception
and viewing of livestream video of “IPF
Friend’s Night.”
Diocese of Allentown seminarian
Matthew Thompson is attending the program this year.
For more information or to volunteer to pray, visit www.priestlyformation.org, or call Anne, 402-391-2177 or
Linda at the IPF office, 402-280-3901.
The Behavioral Health Unit of
Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown is
presenting an art exhibit titled “Authentic Moments” through Saturday,
June 27 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This collection of artwork, created
by individuals that have participated
in Sacred Heart’s art therapy program,
is to honor the courage it requires to
be vulnerable enough to allow their
expressed pain, fear, joy, struggles
and hope to be visible and felt.
The artists, in various stages of recovery, allowed the creative process
to be the vehicle of expression without fear of judgment or consequence.
The art exhibit is free and open to
the public in the Assembly Room in
the Second Floor Conference Center
at 421 Chew St.
Art therapy is just one of the services of the unit, which provides a forum
in a safe setting where individuals are
invited to use various art materials as
authentically as possible to express
themselves, address stressors, and explore feelings and defenses to engage
techniques to promote grounding, focus, insight and empowerment.
Because the person becomes an
active participant in their own work,
they have an opportunity to become
more aware, connected and accountable to and for themselves.
For more information: www.shh.
org.
Diocese
June 18, 2015
The A.D. Times
13
2015 Bishop’s Annual Appeal kicks off in Carbon Deanery
Above left,“We are both blessed and honored to be chairpersons for the 2015
Carbon County Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA). As Catholics we are committed
to help our fellow man. Countless people are helped each year by those who
give to this endeavor,” Jack and Karen Yanity, parishioners of St. Joseph, Jim
Thorpe, tell those gathered for the BAA kickoff in the Carbon Deanery April 29
at St. Francis of Assisi, Nesquehoning. (Photos by Sue Braff)
Above, those gathered listen to the Yanitys speak during the festive evening.
Deacon John and Rita Mroz of St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe receive their nametags
from Lucia DeMarco, donor relations manager and administrative assistant for
BAA and stewardship program, left.
Bishop John Barres, right, enjoys chatting during the evening with Judy Panteleo, left, and Howard Tews, parishioners of St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake
Harmony.
Conversing at the
event are, clockwise from left; Dr.
Clement McGinley; Paul Acampora,
secretary
of the diocesan
Secretariat
for
Stewardship and
Development; Sister Janice Marie
Johnson, a Sister
of Mercy and BAA
ambassador; and
Sophie McGinley.
Bishop’s Annual Appeal and Catholic Charities
The Diocese of Allentown through its parishes, Catholic Charities
and the generosity of its parishioners, provides help to those who
need it most – the poor, the marginalized and those in crisis.
• More than $4.9 million was raised in the latest Bishop’s Annual
Appeal.
• The diocese works to turn Pope Francis’ words about reaching out to the
poor and suffering of the world into concrete initiatives in our parishes,
our schools and the work of Catholic Charities.
• Last year alone more than 22,000 people of all faiths received assistance
through Catholic Charities.
• This assistance is provided regardless of religious affiliation.
• Through the compassionate ministries of Holy Family Manor and Catholic
Senior Housing, the Diocese of Allentown provides quality nursing care
and affordable housing for older adults of any faith.
• Women and men who have experienced abortion find healing and grace
through Rachel’s Vineyard/Project Rachel. Retreats are conducted in
English and Spanish.
Frank Sebelin, parishioner of St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, prepares to add
pasta to his plate.
Father Francis Schoenauer, pastor of
St. Francis of Assisi, offers a prayer
during the event.
Sharing the Light of Christ
By GINA PICCIONI
A lifetime of Catholic education has
taught me how to share the light of Christ.
Every day I go to school I’m taught Catholic values and beliefs that help me to be
the person I am today.
I share the light of Christ by going to
church, helping family and friends, and
serving my community and church.
I share the light of Christ by going to
church every week and trying to bring
others with me. Going to church makes
me a better Christian and helps me become closer to Jesus. Bringing a friend or
someone who has never gone to church
before is a great way to show them the
light of Christ.
I share the light of Christ by helping
my family and friends. I help my family by doing household chores or helping
my sister with her homework. I help my
friends by being there when they need me, Gina Piccioni, seventh grade
helping them with their homework and student at St. Joseph Regional
making sure they also know Jesus like I Academy, Jim Thorpe, displays
her award as the BAA Carbon
do.
The final way I share the light of Christ County Essay Contest Winner.
is by helping my church and community.
Volunteering my time as an altar server,
helping clean the church or handing out the Eucharist are all great ways to share
the light of Christ.
I can donate shoes to a local shoe drive, donate canned foods to local food
banks and help raise money for different events that will benefit those in need.
There are many ways I can share the light of Christ. I can go to church every
weekend and bring someone, help my family and friends when they need me, and
help my church and community.
14
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Freedom to bear witness
During this year’s Corpus Christi procession, Pope
Francis asked us to remember “our many brothers and
sisters who do not have the freedom to express their faith
in the Lord Jesus.” About 100 million Christians are persecuted each year around the world.
“Let us be united with them,” he said. “And, in our
hearts, let us venerate those brothers and sisters who
were asked to sacrifice their lives out of fidelity to
Christ. May their blood, united to the Lord’s, be a pledge
of peace and reconciliation for the whole world.”
Closer to home, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives also condemned the worldwide persecution
of Christians and called on global leaders to protect the
religious liberty of Christians and all other faiths within
their borders.
Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren, Crawford, Forest) recalled Pennsylvania’s heritage while urging her colleagues to support her resolution: “Our founder William
Penn, himself was imprisoned several times for his faith.
He was a leading defender in his time of religious freedom.” House Resolution 182 passed unanimously April
1.
U.S. Catholics will mark the annual Fortnight for
Freedom Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, July 4, with
June 18, 2015
By A.B. Hill, communications director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference,
the public affairs agency of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania. Stay up-to-date with Catholic news and issues at www.pacatholic.org, www.facebook.com/pacatholic and www.twitter.com/pacatholic.
a focus on the “freedom to bear witness” to
the truth of the Gospel.
These two weeks will include prayers, liturgical celebrations and special events across the nation.
While we unite our prayers for persecuted fellow
Christians around the world, we must not overlook
threats to our own religious liberty at home. For example:
The mandate of the Department of Health and Human Services forces religious institutions to facilitate access to products contrary to their own moral teaching or
be punished. Further, the federal government tries to define which religious institutions are “religious enough”
to merit protection of their religious liberty.
Boston, San Francisco, the District of Columbia and
the State of Illinois have driven local Catholic Charities out of the business of providing adoption or foster
care services – by revoking their licenses or ending their
government contracts, or both – because those charities
refused to place children with same-sex couples.
After years of excellent performance by the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee
Services (MRS) in administering contract services for
victims of human trafficking, the federal government
changed its contract specifications to require MRS to
provide or refer for contraceptive and abortion services
in violation of Catholic teaching.
Religious freedom is a fundamental human right.
“All men are to be immune from coercion on the
part of individuals or of social groups and of any human
power,” declared “Dignitatis Humanae” in 1965.
“No one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to
his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether
alone or in association with others, within due limit.”
This inviolable right is grounded in the human dignity from “the revealed word of God and by reason itself.
This right of the human person to religious freedom is to
be recognized in the constitutional law whereby society
is governed and thus it is to become a civil right.”
The pope and our state leaders are reminding us that
we must be leading defenders of religious freedom now,
in our time, and in every place where Christians are being persecuted across the globe or in our own public
square.
Festival of Lights at St.
Michael the Evangelist
Courage
group meets
monthly
Left, Lt. Col. Ralph Butera, 29-year veteran of the military and 32-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, was the guest speaker when St. Matthew the
Evangelist, Minersville held its annual Festival of Lights May 24, the Sunday
of Memorial Day weekend, to honor living and deceased loved ones of the
parish, especially those who served in the military. Father Leo Maletz, pastor,
presided.
Above, approximately 500 candles were memorialized. They were lit and displayed in the church for this service, and approximately 40 will be lit each week
until all intentions are satisfied.
Persons with same-sex attraction have
always been with us. There is now formal
outreach from the Catholic Church in the
way of support groups and information
for such persons.
The Diocese of Allentown conducts
Courage group meetings monthly for
those dealing with this issue. For more
information: 610-334-9147 or www.
couragerc.org.
June 18, 2015
Diocese
The A.D. Times
15
16
The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Priests
Left, faithful express their acceptance of
the decision to ordain the men with applause.
}}Continued from page 1
motion as a sign of oneness of the priesthood they share.
The rite continued with the Prayer of
Consecration and the Investiture with Stole
and Chasuble, and was followed by Bishop
Barres performing the Anointing of Hands
with sacred chrism.
The ordination concluded with the bishop and priests welcoming the new priests
into the presbyteral order with a fraternal
kiss of peace.
After the rite Bishop Barres shared some
remarks and congratulated the newly ordained, their parents, their families, their
friends and every inspirational Catholic
priest, deacon and lay person who influenced them on the path to the priesthood.
As the men began their priestly ministry,
he reminded them that the church is preparing for a Jubilee Year of Mercy that will
begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate
Conception, Dec. 8.
“The union of mercy, compassion and
the splendor of truth has been the beating
heart of the Gospel and the beating heart of
the Catholic Church since the very beginning,” said Bishop Barres.
“Pope Francis says that ‘Jesus Christ is
the face of the Father’s mercy….We need
constantly to contemplate the mystery of
mercy…. Mercy is the very foundation of
the Church’s life,’” he said.
With St. John Paul II’s 1980 encyclical
“On the Mercy of God,” the canonization of
St. Faustina and the establishment of Divine
Mercy Sunday in the Year 2000, Bishop
Barres pointed out the continuity and development of mercy.
“The fiery torch of Divine Mercy has
been passed from St. John XXIII to Blessed
Paul VI to St. John Paul II to Pope Benedict
XVI and now to Pope Francis,” he said.
He also noted that celebration of the
priesthood of Jesus Christ is a clear expression of the Divine Mercy working in the
church and throughout the world.
Following Pope Francis’ call to establish “Doors of Mercy” in dioceses, Bishop
Barres said several doors will be created at
diocesan sites like the cathedral. In addition, plaques reading “Behold the Door of
Mercy” will be placed on the confessionals
17
Below, the candidates for the priesthood
prostrate themselves before the altar as
a sign of submission before God and total reliance on his grace.
Bishop Barres, priests of the Diocese of Allentown and visiting priests pray over the
newly ordained.
Deacon Brendon Laroche, left, and Deacon Jared Zambelli genuflect before the
Blessed Sacrament after entering the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown for their ordination to the priesthood.
Deacon Brendon Laroche promises respect and obedience to Bishop Barres and
his successors.
Deacon Jared Zambelli promises respect and obedience to Bishop Barres and his
successors.
at diocesan parishes.
“There are many oases of mercy in the
Catholic Church, the universal sacrament of
salvation, but none more powerful than our
confessionals. That is what the phrase ‘Be-
the Cure of Ars led many in France to the
road of deep and lasting conversion grounded in an experience of the Divine Mercy.
“The same road exists today in our confessionals when we generously make our-
Left, Bishop Barres
performs the Laying
on of Hands and ordains Deacon Brendon Laroche to the
priesthood.
hold the Door of Mercy’ expresses,” said
Bishop Barres.
Like the countless souls whose Road to
Ars became the Road to Damascus, Bishop
Barres said the road to the confessional of
selves available to the faithful,” he maintained.
“We pray daily for our parishioners that
they will make frequent use of the sacrament
of penance as we ourselves are called to do.
We remember too that our own experience
of being sincere and humble penitents prepares us to be wise and compassionate confessors. Our experience of the Divine Mercy
inspires us to be instruments of the Divine
Mercy as priests,” said Bishop Barres.
With the change in their “ontological
identities” through ordination as priests,
Bishop Barres told the newly ordained that
Vocations
The Diocese of Allentown
dynamically promotes
vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese is reaching out to young people through
social media such as Facebook,
YouTube and Twitter.
• We are tapping into the energy
and enthusiasm of our young
priests to find new ways to interest young men and women in
the priesthood and religious life.
• The diocese has instituted a
“Quo Vadis” program, a weeklong summer program of prayer
and discernment in which
dozens of young men have
participated.
• A similar program called “Fiat”
for young women discerning a
call to religious life will debut
this year.
• The diocese also assists young
adult men who are seriously
contemplating the priesthood
through an Aspirancy Program.
• For more information, visit the
diocesan website, www.allentowndiocese.org/the-diocese/
vocations.
they have entered the inspiring presbyterate
of the Diocese of Allentown that is deeply
committed to holiness, the New Evangelization, the Splendor of Truth and the Divine
Mercy.
“Always look to your older brothers in
the priesthood for fraternity, guidance and
support. And always go to the priest saints
who expressed the Divine Mercy in the confessional,” said Bishop Barres.
Vesting priest for Father Laroche was
Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky, pastor of Holy
Trinity, Whitehall. Vesting priest for Father
Zambelli was Father Robert Perez, a priest
Top right, clergy participating in the Investiture with Stole
and Chasuble are,
from left, Father
Brian Miller, Father
Robert Perez, Father Jared Zambelli,
Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky, Father Brendon
Laroche and Father
Allen Hoffa.
Bottom right, presenting the offertory
gifts are, from left,
Deacon Michael and
Wilhelmina Laroche,
Frank Highland, and
Crystal Zambelli.
Father Brendon Laroche performs his first blessing as a priest on Bishop Barres.
Father Jared Zambelli performs his first blessing as a priest on Bishop Barres.
of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars – Province of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis,
Union City, N.J.
Father Laroche
Father Laroche, parishioner of Holy Trinity, Whitehall, is the son of Deacon Michael
and Wilhelmina Laroche.
His journey to the priesthood began in
high school even though he initially brushed
off the call from God.
“I felt a slight inkling in high school,
but I wrote it off as silly. It wasn’t until I
was in Washington, D.C. in graduate school
that my daily interactions with priests and
religious, as well as the ease with which I
could attend daily Mass and go to confession, that I began to seriously consider the
priesthood,” he said.
“But as soon as I took the idea seriously,
God showed me it was what he wanted me
to do,” said Father Laroche.
He said he experienced nervous moments
before the ceremony but felt at ease when
the ceremony commenced.
“I felt great joy when Jared and I joined
the other priests around the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist,” recalled Father Laroche.
When he celebrated his first Mass the
next day, he said twangs of nervousness returned.
“I was incredibly nervous until I started
processing in. Then I couldn’t stop smiling.
It was wonderful to be able to preside at the
Eucharistic sacrifice and make Our Lord
present to his people. It was also incredibly moving to be welcomed by my brother
priests, both after the ordination and after
my first Mass. So many of them have been
my mentors, my teachers, my good friends
in the seminary,” he said.
“To now be a part of the great brotherhood of the priesthood, and especially the
presbyterate of the Diocese of Allentown,
fills me with joy,” he said.
“I just want to go where the bishop sends
me and help the people I serve encounter the
love of God in Christ Jesus through word
and sacrament.”
Father Laroche is a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School and a
2003 graduate of DeSales University, Center Valley, where he earned bachelor of science degrees in computer science/math and
philosophy.
He obtained a master of divinity degree
from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia in 2014, and a master of arts degree
in theology, with a focus in systematic theology this year.
His first priestly assignment will be assistant pastor of Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Please see PRIESTS page 20 }}
18
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Calendar
Friday, June 19
National Catholic Bible Conference, National Shrine of Our
Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, $170, meal plan $30,
through Saturday, June 20, www.catholicbibleconference.com/.
“Authentic Moments,” art exhibit by participants in art therapy
program, Assembly Room, Second Floor Conference Center,
Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., free, open to
the public, through Saturday, June 27.
Saturday, June 20
Annual Collection for the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence), all
parishes in the Diocese of Allentown, also Sunday, June 21.
5K Run for Life, Notre Dame High School, Easton, proceeds benefit Mary’s Shelter, Bethlehem and Save the Storks,
sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 4282, liferunners2014@gmail.com, maekindred@verizon.net.
100th Anniversary Celebration of Holy Family Club, Nazareth,
Mass at Holy Family Church 2 p.m., celebration at club 3:30
p.m., entertainment 7-11 p.m., per person $45, reservations
610-759-3811, hfclub100@yahoo.com.
Sunday, June 21
“Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness,” U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops observance emphasizing link
between religious freedom and bearing witness to the truth of
the Gospel, through Friday, July 4.
Monday, June 22
“Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was a Kid,” vacation
Bible school, parish activity center, Cathedral of St. Catharine
of Siena, 9 a.m.-noon, , $20, three or more children $45, 610432-7655, jshankweiler@cathedralchurch.org, through Friday,
June 26.
“Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was a Kid,” vacation
Bible school, parish hall, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall,
8:45 a.m. to noon, $20, family $35, volunteers needed, 610266-0695, dirreled@sercc.org.
“Rev Up Your Motor for Jesus,” vacation Bible school, parish
center, St. Michael the Archangel, Minersville, 6:30-8 p.m.,
through Thursday, register 570-544-4741.
Newly Ordained Priests Dinner, Holiday Inn Conference Center, Breinigsville, reception 5:30 p.m., dinner 6 p.m., program
7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23
“The Gospels,” Bible study group, rectory basement, St.
Paul, Allentown, 9:30-11 a.m., join anytime, 610-797-9733, ext.
14, also Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 25
“How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place: Love, Lust and Human
Sexuality,” “Upon This Rock” in Schuylkill County, for ages
18-35, offered by diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult
Ministry, St. Patrick, Pottsville, 6-8 p.m., 610-289-8900, ext.
231 or 235, adoncsecz@allentowndiocese.org, smatour@allentowndiocese.org, oyyam@allentowndiocese.org.
Saturday, June 27
Morning of Spiritual Renewal for Marriages, marriage
enrichment event hosted by diocesan Office of Marriage and
Family Life Formation, at St. Patrick, Pottsville, 8:30 a.m.-noon,
register by Monday, June 22, www.allentowndiocese.org/enrich,
azelno@allentowndiocese.org, 610-289-8900, ext. 238.
Food and Bake Sale, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy
City, at courtyard at 22 S Catawissa St., 11 a.m.-sellout, 570773-3628.
Monday, June 29
“Acts of the Apostles,” Bible study, Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, 1-2:30 p.m. Coll Room, 6:30-8 p.m. Finnegan Room, join
anytime, 610-867-7424, ext. 12, ldurback@gmail.com.
Wednesday, July 1
“Acts of the Apostles,” Bible study group, Assumption BVM,
Bethlehem 10-11:30 a.m., Finnegan Room, join anytime, 610867-7424, ext. 12, ldurback@gmail.com.
Saturday, July 4
Patriotic Rosary for Independence Day, St. Jane Frances de
Chantal, Easton, after 9 a.m. Mass.
Monday, July 6
“A Right to Religion: Freedom of Faith,” Theology on Tap with
Dr. Joshua Schulz, professor of philosophy at DeSales University, Center Valley, for young adults ages 21-35, offered by
diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Allentown
Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St., 7-9 p.m.,www.allentowndiocese.org/tot, oyyam@allentowndiocese.org.
Friday, July 10
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena, Divine Mercy, Shenandoah, Mass 9:30 a.m. each day, final Mass Sunday, July 19, 9
a.m., followed by procession.
Monday, July 13
“Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power,”
vacation Bible school, Holy Family, Nazareth, 8:30-11:30 a.m.,
$40, though Friday, July 17, www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/holyfamilyNAZ.org.
“Sent to Love: A Symposium on the Family,” to prepare for
the World Meeting of Families Sept. 22-25, speaker Dr. Mary
Beth Yount, auditorium, Bethlehem Catholic High School
7-8:30 p.m., free; also in Spanish, “Enviado a Amar: Un Simposio Sobre la Familia,” con Kathia Arango; Martes 14 de Julio,
de 7 a 8:30 de la noche, en la Escuela Secundaria Bethlehem
Catholic (auditorio), 2133 Madison Ave, Bethlehem; adultformation@allentowndiocese.org, 610-289-8900, ext. 221.
Wednesday, July 15
Spirituality Meeting, Allentown Serra Club, St. Thomas More,
Allentown, rosary 6:45 p.m., Mass 7 p.m. with celebrant Msgr.
June 18, 2015
Daniel Yenushosky, followed by meeting, speaker Alexa Doncsecz, assistant director of the diocesan Office of Youth and
Young Adult Ministry, 610-767-6167, patchandler@outlook.com.
Thursday, July 16
“Henry V, Shakespeare and Ethics,” backstage experience and discussion, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts,
DeSales University, Center Valley, 5:30 p.m., $45, lore.mcfadden@desales.edu.
Friday, July 17
Multi-Class Reunion, Shenandoah Catholic High School, at
Genetti’s Best Western, Hazleton, through Sunday, July 19,
570-384-4044.
Saturday, July 18
Collection for Central and Western Europe, all parishes in the
Diocese of Allentown, also Sunday, July 19.
Sunday, July 19
Fiat Days, “Wake the World with Joy,” vocation camp for
Catholic young women ages 14-18 sponsored by diocesan
Office of Vocations, DeSales University, Center Valley, $100,
(due by Monday, July 6), scholarships available, 610-437-0755,
djames@allentowndiocese.org, www.allentowndiocese.org,
through Thursday, July 23.
Quo Vadis, “What Are You Looking For?” vocation camp for
Catholic young men ages 14-18 sponsored by diocesan Office
of Vocations, DeSales University, Center Valley, $100, (due
by Monday, July 6), scholarships available, 610-437-0755,
djames@allentowndiocese.org, www.allentowndiocese.org,
through Thursday, July 23.
Monday, July 20
“Fearless Love,” speakers Dr. Joshua and Christine Schulz
on philosophical and theological reasoning behind the church’s
teachings on human sexuality, sponsored by diocesan Office
of Marriage and Family Life Formation, Allentown Brew Works,
812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, free, 610-289-8900, ext. 238
or azelno@allentowndiocese.org.
July/August
Collection for Mission Co-Op, all parishes in the Diocese of
Allentown, as scheduled locally.
Monday, Aug. 3
Golf Classic, Mercy Special Learning Center, Allentown, at
Brookside Country Club, Macungie, 7:30 and 11 a.m., $175 or
$300, www.mercyclassic2015.
Friday, Aug. 7
Yard Sale, Auxiliary, St. Mary Hall, Holy Family Manor,
Bethlehem, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; also Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.;
donations accepted in main lobby 8 a.m.-8 p.m. before Friday,
July 31 (no clothing, shoes, furniture, TVs, computer-related
items), 610-997-9409, development@cshhc.org.
Festivals
Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20
Block Party, St. Michael the Archangel, Minersville, at parish
grounds on Lewis Street, 5-11 p.m.
Summer Carnival, Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown,
5:30 p.m.
p.m., Sunday 4-10 p.m., Polka Mass 4 p.m. Saturday under the
Big Tent; also Ethnic Night Thursday, July 23 5-9 p.m.
Sunday, July 26
Family Picnic, St. Peter, Reading, at St. Benedict’s Grove,
Route 10 and Chestnut Hill Road, Plowville, 1-7 p.m., 610-3729652, ext. 10.
Friday, July 31 – Sunday, Aug. 2
Parish Festival, St. Joseph, Frackville, at St. Ann Picnic
Grove, rear of 49 N. Line St., Frackville, Friday 3-10 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m., Sunday noon-sellout (about 6 p.m.), Polka
Mass Sunday 11:15 a.m. at St. Ann Church.
Sunday, Aug. 2
Picnic and Homecoming, St. Peter, Coplay, noon-10 p.m.,
polka Mass 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13 – Saturday, Aug. 15
Festival, St. Rocco, Martins Creek, 6-10 p.m., Mass (with
anointing service for sick and elderly) Sunday, Aug. 16, 10:30
a.m. in the pavilion.
Socials
Sundays, June 28, July 12, 26
Bingo, Knights of Columbus Council 618, Shenandoah at St.
Stephen Hall, 2 p.m., doors open noon, accessible to handicapped.
Saturday, July 18
Bingo Buffet, Incarnation of Our Lord, Bethlehem, buffet 5
p.m., bingo 6 p.m., advance tickets $20 (before Tuesday, July
14), at door $25, tickets after weekend Masses or rectory 610866-3391.
Trips
Editor’s note: Trip listings include sponsoring group, destination, cost and contact information. Call the sponsor for
other details, such as times, dining locations and itineraries. Send church-affiliated trips to adtimes@allentowndiocese.
org by Thursday of the week before publication.
Newly announced
Thursday, July 9
55+ Club, Notre Dame of Bethlehem to Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre, $25, 610-866-0360.
Wednesday, July 29
Information night for 2016 Alaska cruise, parish center, St.
Joseph the Worker, Orefield, 7 p.m., cruise begins June 25,
2016.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to “Joseph,” Sight and
Sound Theater, Lancaster, $95, 610-759-0576.
Monday Sept. 7 – Friday, Sept 11
Fellowship Group, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem to
Wildwood Crest, N.J., $415, 610-866-8723.
Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21
Summer Festival, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, Friday
6-10 p.m., Saturday 5-10 p.m.; Sunday 5-9 p.m., and Harley
Night 5-7 p.m. $10 free tickets with registration.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
Fellowship Group. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem to
“Oldies Motown Show,” Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort, Hawley,
$70, 610-866-8723.
Saturday, June 20
Treasures and Treats Food Fest, SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, noon-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown to New York City, Radio City
Christmas Spectacular, New York, N.Y., $109 or bus only $30,
610-433-6102
Thursday, June 25 – Saturday, June 27
Block Party, Annunciation BVM (St. Mary’s), Catasauqua,
6-10 p.m., 610-264-0332.
Friday, June 26 – Sunday June 28
Parish Festival, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 5:30-10 p.m.,
dinners served in church hall, polka Mass Saturday 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28
Picnic, St. Joseph, Sheppton, at firehouse next to church,
Saturday 5-10 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m.
Parish Festival, All Saints, McAdoo, Saturday 5-10 p.m.,
Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, June 28
Picnic, SS. Cyril and Methodius, Reading at St. Benedict’s
picnic grounds, 4541 Morgantown Road, Mohnton, noon-6
p.m., $2 donation ages 16 and over.
Summer Festival, St. Joseph, Coopersburg, noon-8 p.m.,
610-965-8183, www.stjoescoopersburg.org.
Friday, July 10 – Sunday, July 12
Parish Picnic, Sacred Heart, Bath, Friday and Saturday 5-11
p.m., Sunday 3-9 p.m.
Sunday, July 12
Picnic, Holy Trinity, Whitehall at Egypt Park, outdoor Mass
11:30 a.m., food and games 12:30-8 p.m., rain or shine.
Friday July 17 – Saturday, July 18
Mid-Summer Festival, St. John the Baptist, Pottsville, on parish grounds Ninth Street and Schuylkill Avenue, 5-9:30 p.m.
Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19
Block Party, Divine Mercy, Shenandoah, Friday 11 a.m.-11
p.m., Saturday 4-11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22 – Saturday, July 25
Carnival, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, 6-10 p.m.
Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26
Festival, Holy Family, Nazareth, Friday and Saturday 5-11
Previously announced
Wednesday, June 24
Trip and Tours, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton to “Inspire,” American Music Theatre, Lancaster, and Kitchen Kettle
Village, $95, 610-252-4233.
Thursday, June 25
Golden Agers, Holy Family, Nazareth to Hollywood Casino,
Grantville, $26, 610-759-0576.
Friday, June 26
Fifty Plus Club, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading to “Tall
Ships,” Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, $76, 610-779-5409.
Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5
Assumption Travel Club, Slatington to Boston Pops Tour,
$525, 610-767-3036.
Monday, July 6 – Wednesday, July 8
Travelers, St. Matthew the Evangelist, Minersville to Pittsburgh, $429, 570-544-5231, 570-628-5413.
Wednesday, July 8
Women’s Guild, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield to Hollywood Casino, Grantville, $25, 610-392-2957.
Wednesday, July 15
St. Vincent de Paul Conference, St. Paul, Allentown to Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, N.J., $30, 610-797-3565.
Fifty Plus Club, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading to “Twist and
Shout,” Hunterdon Hills Dinner Theatre, Hampton, N.J., $95,
610-779-5409.
Friday, July 17
Trips and Tours, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, trolley
tour to sites in Williamsport, $110, 610-252-4233.
Monday, July 20
Travelers, St. Matthew, Minersville to Hollywood Casino,
Grantville, $25, 570-544-5231, 570-628-5413.
June 18, 2015
Diocese
The A.D. Times
19
St. Michael the Archangel School launches 1-to-1 iPad initiative
By TARA CONNOLLY
Staff writer
St. Michael the Archangel School,
Coopersburg-Bethlehem announced June
1 that the school will initiate an ambitious technological program by
providing an iPad
for every school
The $200,000
student.
initiative
Part of the
includes 350
school’s E3, educational technoloiPads made
gy initiative, will
possible
a 1-to-1
through private include
iPad initiative and
donors with a will be rolled out
desire to emnext fall at the
power students start of the 201516 school year.
to succeed at
The $200,000
learning and
initiative includes
life.
350 iPads made
possible through
private
donors
with a desire to empower students to succeed at learning and life.
“We are fortunate to be in a school
community with generous financial supporters who helped make this dream a reality for our student body,” said Colleen
Weiss, assistant principal.
The initiative was developed by the
technology committee that was created in
2014. Administrators, faculty and board
members researched the project to enhance academic excellence, excite 21st
century learners and engage students in a
digital environment.
Part of their research involved visiting
other schools that have executed the same
initiative. In addition, committee mem-
Left, students of St. Michael the Archangel School admiring the new iPads
are, from left: Joliana Lanning, sixth
grade; Zachary Glavin, fifth grade;
Renna Russo, fifth grade; and Mary
Frances Scheidel, seventh grade.
Below, staff of St. Michael the Archangel School announcing the 1-to-1
iPad initiative are, from left: Marianne
Gana, advancement director; Colleen
Weiss, assistant principal; and Sally
Derr, instructional technology coordinator. (Photos by John Simitz)
bers met with Apple representatives, who
demonstrated the learning opportunities
that iPads offer to students.
To improve the initiative, the school
will also undergo infrastructure upgrades
to support the devices.
Sally Derr, part-time computer teacher, has been elevated to full-time instructional technology coordinator and will
lead the program. In addition, classroom
teachers will be trained during the summer to help with the transition.
“Our school is totally
committed to making this
Education
project a success for our stuThe Diocese of Allentown has a vibrant and vital 21st century Catholic school
dents,” said Weiss.
system.
“We are very excited
• Our schools emphasize academic excellence and Catholic formation.
about the potential the iPad
• Fully 96 percent of our high school students go on to college.
initiative will offer students
• Our schools enhance evangelization.
in allowing them to maxi• When non-Catholics attend Catholic schools, the result often is the student and his or
mize their learning experiher family embraces the faith.
ences.”
20
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Left, diocesan priests lay hands on Father
Jared Zambelli, left, and Father Brendon Laroche, right, to signify oneness to the priesthood, from left: Msgr. Thomas Derzack,
pastor of St. Nicholas, Walnutport; Msgr.
Gerald Gobitas, chancellor and secretary
of the Secretariat for Clergy; Msgr. Daniel
Yenushosky; Msgr. David James, director of
the diocesan Office of Vocations; and Msgr.
Alfred Schlert, diocesan vicar general.
Priests
}}Continued from page 17
Father Zambelli
Father Zambelli, parishioner of St.
Nicholas, Walnutport, is the son of Vincent and Crystal Zambelli.
He was drawn to the priesthood at an
early age and the call from God never left
his thoughts.
“I really have wanted to be priest since
I was little. I often remark that my vocation story is quite boring. The thought
was always there, and when it came time
to enter the seminary and to be ordained,
I just knew it was what God wanted me
to do,” he said.
During the ceremony Father Zambelli
said he encountered different waves of
emotions.
“At different times I was nervous,
calm, happy and humbled. It really was
an experience that is hard to describe. My
main focus during the ceremony was to
remain open to the graces of ordination,
to thank God for his gift of priesthood,
and to ask him for the graces I would need
to be a good and holy priest,” he said.
Anxious to serve God and the faithful,
celebrate Mass, and offer reconciliation,
Father Zambelli said becoming a priest
has been more than fulfilling.
“After the ceremony I felt very happy,
and yet at the same time I have to admit
June 18, 2015
Below, clergy and the newly ordained after
the ceremony are, from left: front, Father
Brendon Laroche, Bishop Emeritus Edward
Cullen, Bishop John Barres; Father Jared
Zambelli; middle, Father Joseph Shenosky,
vice rector of the College Seminary at St.
Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia;
Msgr. Gerald Gobitas; Msgr. Alfred Schlert;
back, Msgr. Andrew Baker, cathedral pastor; Father Robert Perez; Msgr. Daniel Yenushosky; Msgr. Thomas Derzack; and
Msgr. David James.
that it still hasn’t really sunk in. People
are calling me ‘Father,’ I celebrated Mass,
and yet it still feels very surreal. I think
it’s going to take a long time to unpack all
that has just happened,” he said.
Father Zambelli is a graduate of Notre
Dame High School, Easton. He earned
a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a
master’s of divinity from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
His first priestly assignment will be
assistant pastor of the cathedral.
Bishop Barres, center, greets Father Brendon Laroche, left, and Father Jared
Zambelli after the ceremony.
Bishop Barres, left, and Msgr. David James, right, before the ceremony with,
from left, Deacon Brendon Laroche, his parents Deacon Michael and Wilhelmina Laroche, and sister Veronica Laroche.
Bishop Barres and the newly ordained priests thank the Serra Clubs of the
Diocese of Allentown for supporting them with a sign that reads “We Love our
Priests.”
Bishop Barres, left, and Msgr. David James, right, before the ceremony with,
from left, Deacon Jared Zambelli and his parents Vincent and Crystal Zambelli.
Diocese
June 18, 2015
The A.D. Times
The brothers Prior are perfect fit as Vincentian Fathers in the Slate Belt
Editor’s note: This article is part of a
continuing series on religious communities in the Diocese of Allentown, to
commemorate the Year of Consecrated
Life, the weekend of Nov. 29-30, 2014
through Feb. 2, 2016, World Day of
Consecrated Life.
By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
The two Vincentian (Congregation of
the Mission, CM) Fathers – who happen
to be brothers – who serve Our Lady of
Mount Carmel, Roseto, have long been
the fabric that weaves together aspects
of life in the Italian parish nestled in the
heart of the Slate Belt.
Vincentian Father James Prior, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, has
been at the parish for more than 50 years,
and pastor for 22 years, since 1993. His
brother, Vincentian Father Thomas Prior,
has been assistant pastor for 16 years.
The brothers’ ministry in the Slate
Belt is a varied one, according to Father
Thomas Prior. “We have the usual parochial duties which are enhanced by a
special ministry to the sick because of six
hospitals and four nursing homes in the
area.
“It’s a practical ministry – the hands
on ability to bring Christ to the people.”
The brothers were born in Bayonne,
N.J., and were inspired to follow a Vincentian vocation by their cousin, Father
Frank Hinton, a Vincentian priest. The
Vincentian Father James Prior,
left, stands outside Our Lady
of Mount Carmel, Roseto May
18 with his brother, Vincentian
Father Thomas Prior. Father
James Prior has been at the Italian parish nestled in the heart of
the Slate Belt for more than 50
years and was named pastor in
1993. Father Thomas Prior has
been there for 16 years. (Photo
by Ed Koskey)
brothers liked that for Vincentians, “ministry wasn’t only in the parish, it was in
different areas,” Father Thomas Prior
said.
The brothers attended Vincentian Seminary Minor, Princeton, N.J. for six years,
then spent two years at the novitiate at
Eastern Province USA Vincentians in the
Germantown area of Philadelphia. They
then attended the former Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, which was
run by the Vincentians, for six years.
About the Vincentian Fathers
Name: Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) (CM).
History: Founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1625 in Folleville, France. The Vincentians arrived in the United States in 1816 when Father Joseph Rosati and Venerable
Felix de Andreis came to assist the apostolic administrator in Louisiana. Father Rosati
became the first bishop of St. Louis, Mo. 1824.
Since then the Vincentians have been instrumental in establishing several dioceses
in the United States, including Buffalo, N.Y; Pittsburgh; New Orleans, La.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Including the present bishop of Trenton, N.J., 14
Vincentians became bishops.
The American Vincentians became a province in 1835. Their first mission in Philadelphia came in 1841 when Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick appointed them to administer and staff the newly founded St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
When the Allentown Diocese was founded in 1961 the Vincentians had already
been in the Slate Belt for many years. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Roseto was erected
in 1899, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bangor shortly thereafter. The entire Slate
Father James Prior was “loaned,” Father Thomas Prior said, to the Diocese
of Allentown in 1964 to be principal of
Pius X High School, Bangor, across the
street from Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
He served as principal for 18 years before
becoming assistant pastor, then pastor, of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Father Thomas Prior ministered in different areas before coming to the Slate
Belt, including teaching at St. Thomas
More High School, Archdiocese of
Philadelphia; and St. John’s Preparatory School, Queens New York. He also
worked in a parish mission church in
Panama.
Father Thomas Prior was then part
of the Miraculous Medal Novena Band
for 28 years, traveling the eastern United
States giving novenas in honor of the
Blessed Mother. For the last 14 years
of this ministry he was stationed at St.
John’s University, Queens, N.Y.
When he became assistant pastor of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel 16 years
ago, some of his fellow priests wondered
how the brothers would get along working together. “We get along well,” Father
Thomas Prior said. “Jim does all the paperwork, and he works hard. This frees
me up to be able to take care of the hospital visits.
“There’s a variety of parish work.
There’s so much opportunity for contact
with the kids on up.”
There’s also a special time each July
for faith, fellowship and fun with the Our
Lady of Mount Carmel-sponsored Big
Time Celebration. This year will mark
the 122nd celebration, which famously
features processing with an image of
Mary on Garibaldi Avenue, the crowning
of a queen, sausage sandwiches, rides
and fireworks.
This year’s Big Time Celebration is
slated for Wednesday, July 22 through
Saturday, July 25. The public procession
and crowning of the Blessed Mother will
take place Saturday at 2 p.m.
Belt, including Pen Argyl and Martins Creek, benefitted from their ministry.
Charism: The special charism of the community established by St. Vincent was to
preach the Gospel to the poor and instruct the clergy.
Vows: Final vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability.
Religious attire: Clerics.
Ministries: The Vincentian’s ministries include parishes, universities (St. John’s
University, Queens, N.Y.; Niagara University, Lewiston, N.Y.; and DePaul University,
Chicago, Ill.), seminaries, the preaching apostolate (mission and novenas) and foreign
missions (China and Panama). In the Diocese of Allentown they serve Our Lady of
Mount Carmel, Roseto.
Number of priests: Diocese of Allentown – two; United States – 110 in the Eastern
Province; worldwide – 3,200.
Headquarters: Rome, Italy; Eastern Province, Germantown, Philadelphia.
Local contact: Father James or Father Thomas Prior, Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
560 N. Sixth St., Bangor, PA 18013-1752; 610-588-2183; fax, 610-588-6973.
Vocation contact: Vincentian Vocation Ministry, St. Thomas More Church, St.
John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, N.Y., 11439; 718-990-1823; vocations@vincentians.net; www.cmeast.org.
21
22
The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Jubilarians 2015
‘Well done, good and faithful servant’
Diocesan priests
65 years
Msgr. Richard Loeper
Residence: Retired, Holy Family
Villa for Priests, Bethlehem; pastor
emeritus, Holy Ghost, Bethlehem.
Birthdate and hometown: Oct. 6,
1924, Reading.
Education: St. Paul School, Reading; Reading Central Catholic High
School; Villanova University; St.
Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 27, 1950 at Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop
Hugh Lamb.
Previous assignments: Allentown Central Catholic
High School; principal, Pius X High School, Bangor and
Holy Name High School, Reading; pastor, St. Joseph,
Reading; Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; Holy Ghost.
Retired: 1999.
60 years
Msgr. Francis Barrett
Residence: Retired, Holy Family
Villa for Priests, Bethlehem; pastor
emeritus, Holy Guardian Angels,
Reading.
Birthdate and home parish: Nov.
18, 1925, Immaculate Conception,
Germantown, Philadelphia.
Education: Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph College High
School, University of Pennsylvania, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, all in Philadelphia; Cornell
University, Ithaca, N.Y.; Lehigh University, Bethlehem.
Ordination: May 19, 1955 at Cathedral of SS. Peter and
Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop John O’Hara.
Previous assignments: Sagrada Familia, Corozal, Puerto Rico; Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia;
St. Patrick, Kennett Square; St. Agnes, West Chester;
Allentown Central Catholic High School; superintendent of schools, Diocese of Allentown; director, chief
administrator of Catholic education, NCEA, Washington, D.C.; pastor, St. Canicus, Mahanoy City; Sacred
Heart, Allentown; Holy Guardian Angels; diocesan vicar of education.
Retired: August 1998.
55 years
Msgr. Thomas Hoban
Residence: Retired, St. John the
Baptist, Whitehall; pastor emeritus,
St. Ann, Emmaus.
Birthdate and hometown: June
26, 1931, Philadelphia.
Education: Resurrection School,
Northeast Catholic High School,
LaSalle College and St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary, all in Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 in Philadelphia by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick.
Previous assignments: St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven;
St. Peter, Coplay; Notre Dame of Bethlehem; St. Joseph,
Reading; SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem; pastor, St.
Ann, Lansford; St. Peter, Reading; St. Ann.
Retired: July 17, 2008.
Msgr. Raymond Merman
Residence: Retired, Holy Family
Villa for Priests, Bethlehem; pastor
emeritus, St. Theresa of the Child
Jesus, Hellertown.
Birthdate and hometown: Dec.
11, 1934, Philadelphia.
Education: St. John the Baptist
School and St. John the Baptist
High School, Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 at
Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul,
Philadelphia by Bishop J. Carroll
McCormick.
Previous assignments: St. Patrick Pottsville; Sacred
Heart of Jesus and Our Lady Help of Christians, both in
Allentown; pastor, St. Theresa.
Father James Morgan
Residence: Retired, Holy Family
Villa for Priests, Bethlehem.
Birthdate and hometown: Jan.
20, 1935, Chester.
Education: St. Robert School
and St. James High School, both
in Chester; St. Charles Borromeo
Seminary, Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 at
Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul,
Philadelphia by Bishop J. Carroll
McCormick.
Previous assignments: Marian High School, Tamaqua;
Cardinal Brennan High School, Ashland; director, Holy
Family Manor, Bethlehem; administrator, SS. Peter and
Paul, Tower City; pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Minersville; assistant pastor, Notre Dame of Bethlehem;
chaplain, Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville; assistant
financial secretary; supervisor, diocesan mailing service;
regional director, Northampton Deanery Family Life Bureau; member, diocesan Council of Priests; resident, St.
Mary, Coaldale; St. Ann, Lansford; St. Joseph, Summit
Hill; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem; St. Anne,
Bethlehem; Annunciation BVM, Shenandoah; Our Lady
of Good Counsel, Gordon; St. Canicus, Mahanoy City;
St. Joseph, Frackville.
Father Edwin Schwartz
Residence: Retired, Immaculate
Conception Rectory, Allentown;
pastor emeritus, Our Lady of Hungary and St. Michael, Northampton.
Birthdate and hometown: April
1, 1931, Philadelphia.
Education:
Good
Shepherd
School, West Catholic High School
and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, all in Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 at Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop J.
Carroll McCormick.
Previous assignments: St. Mary Hamburg; St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; Sacred Heart, West Reading;
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; St. Ursula,
Fountain Hill; St. Anne, Bethlehem; pastor, St. Mauritius, Ashland; Our Lady of Hungary; St. Michael.
Retired: 2008
Msgr. Joseph Smith
Residence: Retired, in residence
at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield;
pastor emeritus, St. Catharine of
Siena, Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: Nov.
20, 1933, Philadelphia.
Education: Holy Cross School,
Northeast Catholic High School,
LaSalle University and St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary, all in Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 at Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop J.
Carroll McCormick.
Previous assignments: St. Mary, Saint Clair; St. Patrick,
Pottsville; Holy Rosary, Reading; St. Margaret, Reading; pastor, St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield; St. Catharine; Reading Central Catholic High School; Bethlehem
Catholic High School; assistant superintendent for religious education; vicar for religious; chairman, diocesan
Ecumenical Committee; Council of Priests; chairman,
diocesan Vocation Committee; diocesan Building Committee.
Msgr. James Treston
Residence: Retired, in residence
at St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; pastor emeritus, St. Ignatius
Loyola, Sinking Spring.
Birthdate and home parish: Sept.
24, 1934, St. Agnes, West Chester.
Education: St. Agnes School and
St. Agnes High School, both in
West Chester; St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 at Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and
Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick.
Previous assignments: St. Peter the Apostle, Reading;
Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown; St. Patrick,
Pottsville; Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown; St. Canicus, Mahanoy City; St. Ignatius.
Retired: June 11, 2013.
Msgr. Anthony Wassel
Residence: Retired, New Philadelphia; pastor emeritus, Assumption,
Sacred Heart and St. Joseph, Mahanoy City.
Birthdate and home parish:
March 6, 1930, Holy Cross, New
Philadelphia.
Education: Sacred Heart School,
New Philadelphia; St. Stephen
High School, Port Carbon; St. Joseph Prep School and St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary, both in Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 14, 1960 at Cathedral of SS. Peter and
Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick.
Previous assignments: St. Francis of Assisi, Minersville; St. Joseph, Mahanoy City; Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Allentown; St. Peter the Apostle, Reading; St. George,
Shenandoah; pastor, St. Joseph; Sacred Heart; Assumption BVM; regional director, CYO; regional director,
Social Action Bureau; dean, East Schuylkill Deanery;
dean, North Schuylkill Deanery; College of Consultors;
Council of Priests.
50 years
Msgr. Algimantas Bartkus
Residence: St. Pete Beach, Fla.
Birthdate and hometown: Nov.
10, 1940, Kraziai, Lithuania.
Education: Elementary and secondary, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Pontifical Lithuanian College of St.
Casimir and Pontifical Gregorian
University, both in Rome, Italy.
Ordination: July 11, 1965 in XII
Apostles Basilica, Rome, Italy by
Bishop M. Reh.
Previous assignments: St. Joseph,
Mahanoy City; St. George, Shenandoah; St. Francis of
Assisi, Minersville; St. Bernard, Easton; Cardinal Brennan High School, Ashland; Notre Dame High School,
Easton; Catholic chaplain, Northampton County Prison;
Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville; pastor, St. Casimir, St. Clair; Annunciation, Frackville; rector, Pontifical Lithuanian College of St. Casimir, Rome; president,
Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid and board of directors, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Other: Lithuanian Allegoric Float Committee for U.S.
bicentennial 1976; revived Knights of Lithuania organization; official chaplain for Lithuanian community in
Washington, D.C.
Retired: June 15, 2010.
Please see JUBILARIANS page 23 }}
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Jubilarians
Religious priests
}}Continued from page 22
Order of Friars Minor,
Province of
St. John the Baptist
Msgr. Robert Biszek
Current assignment: Pastor emeritus, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem, with
residence at St. Paul Rectory.
Birthdate and hometown: Oct. 2,
1937, Hellertown.
Education: Wolf School; Hellertown High School; St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
Ordination: May 22, 1965 at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena,
Allentown by Bishop Joseph McShea.
Previous assignments: Sacred Heart, Allentown; St.
Peter, Reading; St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton; St.
John Capistrano, Bethlehem; Holy Infancy.
Father Dominik Kalata
Current assignment: Pastor, St.
John the Baptist and SS. Peter and
Paul, Allentown.
Birthdate and home parish: Aug.
17, 1940, St. Catherine, Nova Bela,
Poland.
Education: Slovak Elementary
School, Nova Bela; Slovak High
School, Jablonka Oravska; St. John
the Baptist Seminary, Warsaw;
Catholic University of Lubin, all in
Poland.
Ordination: May 27, 1965 at Cathedral of St. John the
Baptist, Warsaw by Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski.
Previous assignments: Poland; St. John the Baptist, Allentown; pastor, Annunciation BVM, Frackville; Most
Blessed Trinity, Tremont.
25 years
Msgr. Thomas Orsulak
Current assignment: Pastor, St.
Peter the Apostle, Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: March
6, 1962, Lansford.
Education: St. Michael School,
Lansford; Marian High School,
Tamaqua; University of Scranton
while in formation at Pius X Seminary, Dalton; Lateran University
while in formation at Roman Seminary, Rome, Italy; Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton.
Ordination: Sept. 15, 1990 at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown by Bishop Thomas Welsh.
Previous assignments: Cathedral of St. Catharine of
Siena, Allentown; director of spiritual activities, Holy
Name High School, Reading; St. Anne, Bethlehem.
Father Francis Straka
Current assignment: Pastor, Assumption BVM, Northampton.
Birthdate and home parish: June
21, 1956, SS. Cyril and Methodius,
Reading.
Education: SS. Cyril and Methodius School, Reading; Reading
Central Catholic High School; Allentown College of St. Francis de
Sales (now DeSales University),
Center Valley; St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
Ordination: June 2, 1990 at Cathedral of St. Catharine
of Siena, Allentown by Bishop Thomas Welsh.
Previous assignments: Our Lady of Hungary,
Northampton; St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; Sacred Heart, West Reading; St. Ann, Emmaus;
pastor, Holy Ghost, Bethlehem.
60 years
Father Dennet Jung
Current assignment: St. Francis
Retreat House, Easton.
Birthdate and hometown: Sept.
16, 1937, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Education: Catholic schools in Cincinnati; St. Francis Seminary, Duns
Scotus College Seminary, Cincinnati; St. Leonard Theology Seminary,
Dayton, Ohio.
Date entered order: Aug. 15, 1955.
Ordination: June 13, 1963 at St.
Leonard College, Dayton, Ohio by
Archbishop of Cincinnati Karl Alter.
Previous assignments: Parishes in New Mexico; Kansas City, Mo.; and Louisiana; initial formation ministry
for the Franciscans.
Missionaries of the
Sacred Heart
55 years
Father E. Michael Camilli
Current residence: Holy Guardian Angels Rectory, Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: April
26, 1935, Temple.
Education: Holy Guardian Angels
School and Reading Central Catholic High School, both in Reading;
Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Geneva, Ill.; Manhattanville College,
Purchase, N.Y.; Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy; Villanova University; The Catholic
University of America, Washington, D.C.
Date entered order: 1954.
Ordination: July 3, 1960 at Basilica of San Anselmo,
Rome by Cardinal Luigi Traglia, vicar of Rome for Pope
John XXIII.
Previous assignments: Sacred Heart Seminary, Shelby,
Ohio; pastor, Holy Family, Nazareth; St. John the Baptist, Ottsville; Tribunal, Diocese of Metuchen, N.J.; St.
Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, Md.; rector
and superior, Sacred Heart Villa, Center Valley; diocesan director of Renew 2000; secretary of the Secretariat
for Catholic Life and Evangelization, Diocese of Allentown.
Retired: 2010; serves as senior priest associated with
Holy Guardian Angels.
Oblates of
St. Francis de Sales
60 years
Father Alexander Pocetto
Current assignment: Senior Salesian scholar, Salesian Center for
Faith and Culture, DeSales University, Center Valley.
Birthdate and home parish:
Jan.19, 1927, St. Anthony of Padua,
Wilmington, Del.
Education: Bayard Elementary
School and Salesianum School,
both in Wilmington, Del.; The
Catholic University of America,
Washington, D.C.; Université Laval, Canada.
Date entered order: First profession Sept. 17, 1946; perpetual profession Sept. 17, 1949.
The A.D. Times
23
Ordination: June 4, 1955 at St. Anthony of Padua,
Wilmington, Del. by Bishop Joseph McShea.
Previous assignments: Bishop Duffy High School, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; dean, vice president of academic affairs,
director of graduate studies, senior vice president, DeSales University, Center Valley.
Retirement date: 2003.
55 years
Father John McGinley
Current assignment: Assistant
pastor, St. Jane Frances de Chantal,
Easton.
Birthdate and home parish: Sept.
11, 1940, Incarnation of Our Lord,
Philadelphia.
Education: Incarnation of Our Lord
School, Northeast Catholic High
School and LaSalle University, all
in Philadelphia; Niagara University,
N.Y.; Temple University, Philadelphia; DeSales Hall School of Theology, Hyattsville, Md.
Date entered order: First profession Aug. 22, 1960;
perpetual profession Oct. 7, 1964.
Ordination: Oct. 26, 1968 at Cathedral Basilica of SS.
Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by Bishop John Minder.
Previous assignments: Bishop McDevitt High School,
Harrisburg; Brisson Seminary, Center Valley; director,
Camp Brisson, Northeast, Md.; vice president of finance, continuing education, registrar, DeSales University, Center Valley; pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Wilmington, Del.
Society of Jesus
(Jesuits)
60 years
Father Joseph Currie
Current assignment: Rector, Jesuit
Center, Wernersville.
Birthdate and home parish: Aug.
20, 1936, St. Matthias, Bala Cynwyd.
Education: St. Leonard Academy and St. Joseph Prep, both in
Philadelphia; Fordham University,
Bronx, N.Y.; St. Mary College, Kurscong, North Bengal, India.
Date entered order: Aug. 14, 1955.
Ordination: March 19, 1968, Jamshedpur, India by Bishop Lawrence Picachy.
Previous assignments: St. Joseph the Worker, Golmuri;
Xavier Institute, Jamshedpur; Vidyajyoti Theological
Institute, Delhi; De Nobili College, Pune; Tertian instructor of South India, Shembaganur, Tamilnadu, all in
India; Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; dean
of campus ministry, Loyola University, New Orleans,
La.; vice president mission and ministry, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.
Father John McCaslin
Current assignment: Pastoral
ministry, community service, Jesuit
Center, Wernersville.
Birthdate and home parish: June
10, 1929, St. Francis, Toronto,
Ohio.
Education: St. Pius V School,
McKeesport; McKeesport Vocational High School; Weston College, Mass.; Woodstock College,
Md.
Date entered order: July 30, 1955.
Ordination: June 11, 1966 at Woodstock College, Md.
by Cardinal Lawrence Sheehan.
Previous assignments: Loyola High School, Towson, Md.; chaplain, U.S. Army; Gonzaga College High
School, Washington, D.C.; pastor, SS. Peter and Paul,
Pittsburgh; director, Trinity Spiritual Center, Harrisburg;
Old St. Joseph, Philadelphia; Jesuit Center for Spiritual
Growth, Wernersville.
Please see JUBILARIANS page 24 }}
24
The A.D. Times
Diocese
Jubilarians
}}Continued from page 23
Father Robert Yankevitch
Current assignment: Jesuit Center, Wernersville.
Birthdate and hometown: Feb. 5,
1938, Philadelphia.
Education: St. Barbara School and
St. Joseph Prep, both in Philadelphia; St. Isaac Jogues, Wernersville.
Date entered order: Sept. 15,
1955.
Ordination: June 7, 1969 at
Woodstock College, Md. by Cardinal Lawrence Sheehan.
Previous assignments: Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.; Scranton Prep School; Manresa Retreat House,
Annapolis, Md.; St. Mary, Fairfax, Va.; Old St. Joseph,
Philadelphia; St. Francis de Sales, Lumberton, N.C.
50 years
Father George Aschenbrenner
Current assignment: Pastoral
ministry, Jesuit Center, Wernersville.
Birthdate and hometown: Nov.
22, 1932, St. Paul, Reading.
Education: St. Paul School, Reading; Reading Central Catholic High
School; St. Joseph College, Philadelphia; Loyola Seminary, Shrub
Oak, N.Y.; Weston College, Cambridge, Mass.
Date entered order: July 30, 1954.
Ordination: June 12, 1965 at Weston College, Cambridge, Mass. by Cardinal Richard Cushing.
Previous assignments: Scranton Prep; St. Joseph Prep,
Philadelphia; novice master, Novitiate of St. Isaac
Jogues, Wernersville; assistant to academic vice president, St. Joseph University, Philadelphia; director of
spiritual formation, North American College, Rome,
Italy; director, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville; retreat director, rector, University of Scranton;
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Washington, D.C.
Father Lucien Longtin
Current assignment: Spiritual director, Jesuit Center, Wernersville.
Birthdate and hometown: Aug.
20, 1934, Yeadon.
Education: St. Louis School,
Yeadon; St. Joseph Prep, Philadelphia; Jesuit Center Novitiate
and Junior College, Wernersville;
Loyola College, Shrub Oak, N.Y.;
Woodstock College, Md.; The
Catholic University of America,
Washington, D.C.
Date entered order: 1952.
Ordination: June 12, 1965 at Woodstock College, Md.
by Cardinal Lawrence Sheehan.
Previous assignments: Loyola High School, Blakesfield, Md.; Gonzaga High School, Washington, D.C.;
provincial assistant for secondary education, Baltimore,
Md.; director, Spiritual Growth Program, Jesuit Spiritual
Center, Wernersville.
25 years
Father Thomas Kuller
Current assignment: Facilities
director/minister to Jesuit Community, Jesuit Center, Wernersville.
Birthdate and home parish:
July 7, 1955, SS. Peter and Paul,
Lehighton.
Education: SS. Peter and Paul
School, Lehighton; Lehighton
Area High School; University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;
St. Louis University, Mo.; Jesuit School of Theology, Berkley,
Calif.
Date entered order: Aug. 23, 1979.
Ordination: June 9, 1990 at Loyola College, Baltimore, Md. by Bishop William Newman.
June 18, 2015
Previous assignments: Gilchrist Hospice Care, Hunt
Valley, Md.; Baltimore County Office of Workforce
Development; Our Daily Bread Employment Center,
Baltimore Catholic Charities; coordinator, spiritual care
and resident development, Berks County Youth Center;
board chair, Hispanic Center of Reading and Berks
County; St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading; Loyola
College, Baltimore; St. Theresa, Mooresville, N.C.
Religious sisters
Sisters of St. Francis
of Philadelphia
75 years
Sister Kathryn Miller
Former name: Sister Lillian Francis.
Current assignment: Prayer ministry, Assisi House, Aston.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: April 1, 1921, Hazelton;
St. Stanislaus, Lansdale.
Date entered order: Oct. 4, 1937.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. John School, Stiles.
Retirement date: 2008.
70 years
Sister Anthony Celine O’Leary
Current assignment: Prayer ministry, Assisi House, Aston.
Birthdate and hometown: July 15,
1923, Charleville, County Cork, Ireland.
Date entered order: Aug. 1, 1939.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Holy Ghost School, Bethlehem.
Retired: 2008.
Sister Elizabeth Frances Scully
Former name: Sister Anthony
Brendan.
Current assignment: Volunteer,
Franciscan Spiritual Center, Aston;
spiritual director, Sisters at Assisi
House; volunteer, congregational
offices.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: March 17, 1924, Windsor,
Vt.; St. Virgilius, Youghal, County
Cork, Ireland.
Date entered order: Aug. 15,
1942.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: SS. Peter and
Paul School, Lehighton.
50 years
Sister Janice Miriam Bahl
Former name: Sister John Andrew.
Current assignment: Prayer ministry, Assisi House, Aston.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: April 13, 1937, Allentown;
Annunciation BVM (St. Mary), Catasauqua.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Andrew, Catasauqua.
Retirement date: 2015.
Sister Mary Patricia Johnston
Former name: Sister Mary Amata.
Current assignment: Prayer ministry, Assisi House, Aston.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: March 18, 1935, Philadelphia; St. Barnabas.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Allentown Central Catholic
High School.
Retirement date: 2008.
Sister Bridget McNamara
Former name: Sister Daniel Helene.
Current assignment: Spiritual
ministry at various places in Reading; resides in Reading.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: Nov. 11, 1944, Loughborough, O’Callaghan’s Mills,
County Clare, Ireland; St. Patrick,
O’Callaghan’s Mills.
Date entered order: Aug. 15, 1962.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Joseph Hospital, Reading.
Sister Kathleen Marie Moffatt
Former name: Sister Ann Kathleen.
Current assignment: Consultant/
spiritual ministries, Charism Office,
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia; resides in Wilmington, Del.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: Dec. 15, 1943, Philadelphia; St. Cecilia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Most Blessed Sacrament
School, Bally.
Sister Jean Wickenheiser
Former name: Sister James Marita.
Current assignment: Librarian,
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School,
Schwenksville.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: Feb. 29, 1944, Lancaster;
Holy Trinity, Columbia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Holy Ghost School, Bethlehem; St. Joseph School, Easton;
St. Lawrence School, Catasauqua;
Sacred Heart School, Allentown; St. Francis School, Allentown; Our Lady of Hungary School, Northampton;
St. Francis Academy, Bally.
Bernardine
Franciscan Sisters
75 years
Sister Jolancia Kozlinski
Current residence: Sacred Heart
Convent, Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: May 5,
1921, Brownsville.
Date entered order: Aug. 11, 1940.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Sacred Heart Convent, Reading; St. Casimir, Mahanoy City; Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown; St.
Joseph Villa, Reading.
Please see JUBILARIANS page 25 }}
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Jubilarians
}}Continued from page 24
Sister Bonaventa Radzi
Current residence: St. Joseph Villa, Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: March
31, 1922, Shenandoah.
Date entered order: Aug. 11,
1940.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Congregational supervisor,
councilor and provincial minister,
Sacred Heart Convent, Reading; St.
Stanislaus, Summit Hill; SS. Peter
and Paul, Lansford; St. Mary, Mahanoy City.
60 years
Sister Edna Cylwick
Current residence: Father Ciszek
Convent, Shenandoah.
Birthdate and hometown: June 28,
1928, Wilkes-Barre.
Date entered order: Aug. 11, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Sacred Heart Convent,
Reading; St. Anthony, Reading; St.
Casimir, Mahanoy City; St. Casimir,
Shenandoah; Father Walter Ciszek,
Shenandoah.
Sister Cynthia Skiendziel
Current assignment: St. Thomas
More, Allentown.
Birthdate and hometown: Aug. 8,
1937, Swoyersville.
Date entered order: Aug. 11, 1955.
Other places served in Diocese of
Allentown: Sacred Heart Convent,
Reading.
50 years
Sister Ellen Lipsett
Current assignment: Administrative assistant, Office of Communications, congregational offices, Reading.
Hometown: Minersville.
Date entered order: June 26, 1965.
Other places served in Diocese of
Allentown: Sacred Heart Convent,
Reading; Alvernia College, Reading; Reading Central Catholic High
School; St. Thomas More, Allentown.
Sister Roberta Agnes McKelvie
Current assignment: Assistant to
the president for mission integration
and education, Alvernia University,
Reading; resides at Dwelling Place,
Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: June 3,
1946, Oakview.
Date entered order: June 26, 1965.
Other places served in Diocese
of Allentown: Sacred Heart Convent, Reading; St. Anthony, Reading; Dwelling Place, Denver, Colo.;
Dwelling Place, West Lawn; Dwelling Place, Sinking
Spring.
Sister Shaun Kathleen Wilson
Current assignment: Director, McGlinn Conference Center, Reading;
resides at Sacred Heart Convent,
Reading.
Birthdate and hometown: Dec. 31,
1945, Flushing, N.Y.
Date entered order: June 26, 1965.
Other places served in Diocese
of Allentown: Magnificat House,
Reading.
School Sisters
of St. Francis,
U.S. Province
75 years
Sister Genevieve Mary Jurick
Former name: Sister Assumpta.
Current residence: Mount Assisi
Convent, Pittsburgh.
Birthdate and hometown: May 24,
1922, Clarksburg, W.Va.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Ann, Emmaus.
Retired: 2006.
Sister M. Magdalene Lovrich
Current residence: Mount Assisi
Convent, Pittsburgh.
Birthdate and hometown: Sept. 1,
1920, Mammoth.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Allentown Central Catholic
High School.
Retired: 2011.
70 years
Sister Rose Ann Rovnak
Former name: Sister Justine.
Current residence: Vincentian
Home, Pittsburgh.
Birthdate and hometown: July 19,
1926, Erie.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown:
Assumption
BVM,
Northampton.
Retired.
The A.D. Times
Sister Rosalia Giba
Former name: Sister Petrina.
Current assignment: Preschool office aide, Mount Assisi Academy,
Pittsburgh.
Birthdate and place: May 5, 1938,
Pittsburgh.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,
Hellertown; SS. Cyril and Methodius, Bethlehem; St. Stephen, Shenandoah.
Sister Marie Glodava
Current assignment: Administrative assistant, St. Andrew School,
Clifton, N.J.
Birthdate and hometown: April
24, 1937, Clifton.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Ann, Emmaus; St. Theresa
of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; SS.
Cyril and Methodius, Bethlehem; St.
Stephen, Shenandoah; Assumption
BVM, Northampton.
Sister Elaine Hromulak
Current assignment: Historical
data conversion, Catholic Cemetery
Association of Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Birthdate and hometown: Nov. 14,
1937, Barnesboro.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Ann, Emmaus; St. Theresa
of the Child Jesus, Hellertown; SS.
Cyril and Methodius, Bethlehem.
50 years
Sister Marie Bernadette Kelleher
Current assignment: St. Francis
Center for Renewal, Bethlehem.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Grade schools at St. Ann, Emmaus; St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking
Spring; St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,
Hellertown; SS. Cyril and Methodius,
Bethlehem.
65 years
Sister Anita Kuchera
Current assignment: Assistant director, St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem.
Birthdate and hometown: Jan. 15,
1933, Whitehall.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Francis Academy and St.
Francis Center for Renewal, both in
Bethlehem.
60 years
Sister Rosemarie Bartnicki
Former name: Sister Raymond.
Current
assignment:
Substitute teacher; resides at St. Ignatius
Loyola Convent, Sinking Spring.
Birthdate and hometown: May 28,
1938, Shenandoah.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown:
Assumption
BVM,
Northampton; St. Ignatius Loyola,
Sinking Spring; St. Theresa of the
Child Jesus, Hellertown; SS. Cyril
and Methodius, Bethlehem; principal, St. Ann, Emmaus.
Sisters,
Servants of the
mmaculate Heart of
Mary, Immaculata
.
75 years
Sister Charles Mary Hanlon
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Edmond, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: July 2, 1937.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1940.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Joseph, Reading.
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Jubilarians
}}Continued from page 25
70 years
Sister Marian William Hoben
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Mary, Coaldale.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1942.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1945.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Immaculate Heart Academy,
Ashland.
Sister M. Catherine Agnes Robinson
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: Good Shepherd, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1942.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1945.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Peter, Reading; Annunciation, Shenandoah; St. Margaret,
Reading; Immaculate Conception,
Jim Thorpe.
60 years
Sister Miriam Barbara Berkowitz
Current assignment: Villa Maria
House of Studies, Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Veronica, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Marian High School, Tamaqua.
Sister Helen Marie Gates
Current assignment: Our Lady of
Lourdes School, Raleigh, N.C.
Home parish: St. Peter, Reading.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Stephen, Port Carbon; St.
Catharine of Siena, Reading.
Sister Joan Mary Gibbons
Current assignment: St. Gabriel,
Philadelphia.
Home parish: St. Edmond, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Feb. 11, 1953.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
Sister Ann Marie Harrison
Former name: Sister Gerald Mary.
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Denis, Havertown.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Our Mother of Perpetual
Help, Nesquehoning.
Diocese
Sister Mary Agnes Kinee
Former name: Sister Maureen David.
Current assignment: St. Anthony
of Padua Regional School and parish liturgies, Philadelphia.
Home parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Allentown Central Catholic
High School; St. Ann, Lansford.
Sister Anne Marie Lavan
Former name: Sister Regina Stephen.
Current assignment: Villa Maria
Academy High School, Malvern.
Home parish: Transfiguration, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Margaret, Reading.
Sister Roberta Marie Mattox
Current assignment: Little Flower
High School, Philadelphia.
Home parish: St. Andrew, Drexel
Hill.
Date entered order: Feb. 11, 1953.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Sacred Heart, West Reading.
Sister Marie Joanne McCarty
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Joan of Arc, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Jerome, Tamaqua.
Sister Maryanne Niehaus
Former name: Sister Sponsa Regis.
Current assignment: Immaculata
University, Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Bernadette, Drexel Hill.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Allentown Central Catholic
High School.
Sister Loretta Michael Pinner
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Edmond, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Joseph, Reading; St. Mary,
Coaldale; St. Ann, Lansford.
Sister Suzanne M. Scattergood
Former name: Sister George Marie.
Current assignment: St. Nicholas
of Tolentine, Philadelphia.
Home parish: Sacred Heart, Lancaster.
Date entered order: Feb. 11, 1953.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Jane Frances de Chantal,
Easton.
June 18, 2015
Sister M. Anne Fidelis Tumelty
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Philomena, Lansdowne.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1952.
Profession date: March 9, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Allentown Central Catholic
High School.
Sister Maureen Christi Van Winkle
Current assignment: IHM Conference Center, Bryn Mawr.
Home parish: St. Laurence, Upper
Darby.
Date entered order: Feb. 11, 1953.
Profession date: Aug. 15, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Annunciation, Shenandoah;
Allentown Central Catholic High
School; Our Mother of Perpetual
Help, Nesquehoning.
50 years
Sister M. Anne Christine Kalbron
Current assignment: Monsignor
Bonner/Archbishop
Prendergast
High School, Drexel Hill.
Home parish: St. Francis of Assisi,
Springfield.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Profession date: June 27, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; St. Ann, Lansford; Reading
Central Catholic High School.
Sister M. Elizabeth Ann Kealy
Former name: Sister John Bernard.
Current assignment: Camilla Hall,
Immaculata.
Home parish: Our Lady of Mount
Carmel, Mount Carmel.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Profession date: June 27, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Joseph, Ashland; St.
Jerome Regional School, Tamaqua;
pastoral ministry, Ashland parishes;
Annunciation, Shenandoah.
Sister Denise M. Mollica
Former name: Sister Dennis
Therese.
Current assignment: Immaculata
University, Immaculata.
Home parish: Immaculate Conception, Miami, Fla.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Profession date: June 27, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Bernard, Easton.
Sister M. Michael Damien Moore
Current assignment: Little Flower
High School, Philadelphia.
Home parish: St. Anne, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Profession date: June 27, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Nicholas, Weatherly.
Sister M. Jean Daniel Moyer
Current assignment: Holy Innocents, Philadelphia.
Home parish: Good Shepherd,
Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Profession date: June 27, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Nicholas, Weatherly.
Please see JUBILARIANS page 27
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Jubilarians
}}Continued from page 26
Sister Mary E. Smith
Former name: Sister Thomas Eugene.
Current assignment: Villa Maria
Academy High School, Malvern.
Home parish: St. Joan of Arc, Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1962.
Profession date: June 27, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Cardinal Brennan High
School, Ashland.
25 years
Sister M. Monica Therese Sicilia
Current assignment: Immaculata
University, Immaculata.
Home parish: St. Matthew, East
Stroudsburg.
Date entered order: Sept. 13, 1987.
Profession date: Aug. 14, 1990.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Catharine of Siena, Reading; Our Lady of the Angels Academy, Lansford.
Sister Mary Lisa Weisglass
Current assignment: St. Matthew,
Philadelphia.
Home parish: Sacred Heart, Lancaster.
Date entered order: Jan. 19, 1988.
Profession date: Aug. 14, 1990.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Catharine of Siena,
Reading; Immaculate Heart School,
Girardville.
Sisters of Mercy of
the Americas, MidAtlantic Community
75 years
Sister Margaret Mary Songster
Current residence: Convent of
Mercy, Merion.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1940.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Allentown Central Catholic
High School.
Retirement date: 2006.
70 years
Sister Alma Joseph Miller
Current residence: McAuley Convent, Merion.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1945.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. John Baptist de la Salle
School, Shillington.
Retirement date: 2003.
60 years
Sister Marie Noel Bannon
Current assignment: Director,
Convent of Mercy Facility, Merion.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 8, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. John Baptist de la Salle
School, Shillington; Sacred Heart
School, Nesquehoning.
Sister Mary Carmela Sandusky
Current assignment: Pastoral ministry to elderly/infirm, Holy Cross,
Springfield.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Aug. 22, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. John Baptist de la Salle
School, Shillington.
Sister Jean Streibig
Current assignment: Staff, Convent of Mercy, Merion.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Dec. 8, 1955.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Paul School, Allentown;
St. John Baptist de la Salle School,
Shillington.
Retirement Date: 2011.
50 years
Sister Anna Mae Keeley
Current assignment: Case manager, Women of Hope-Vine, Philadelphia.
Current residence: Sisters of Mercy, Havertown.
Hometown: Philadelphia.
Date entered order: Sept. 6, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: St. Paul School, Allentown.
Sisters of Christian
Charity
70 years
Sister Charlene Verbetich
Current assignment: Preschool director, Our Lady Help of Christians
School (OLHC), Allentown.
Birthdate and hometown: July 5,
1929, Luzerne.
Other places served in Diocese
of Allentown: Principal, St. John
Baptist School, Pottsville; St. Joseph School, Jim Thorpe; principal,
OLHC.
Angelic Sisters
of St. Paul
55 years
Sister Teresa Bianco
Current residence: Mother of Divine Providence Convent, Easton.
Birthdate and hometown: 1938,
Voghera, Italy.
Date entered order: Dec. 8, 1957;
professed Sept. 29, 1960.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Pastoral activities, St. Anthony of Padua, Easton.
50 years
Sister Donna Pascarella
Current residence: Mother of Divine Providence Convent, Easton.
Birthdate and hometown: 1946,
Portico de Caserta, Italy.
Date entered order: July 2, 1962,
professed July 5, 1965.
Places served in Diocese of Allentown: Pastoral ministry and preschool directress, St. Anthony of
Padua, Easton.
The A.D. Times
Missionary Sisters
of the Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus
50 years
Sister Sylvia Mattoon
Former name: Sister Mary Louis.
Current assignment: Retired at Sacred Heart Villa, Reading.
Birthdate, hometown and home
parish: Jan. 1, 1937, St. Joseph,
Charleston, S.C.
Date entered order: Sept. 1, 1963.
Other places served in Diocese of
Allentown: Sacred Heart Villa (formerly St. Michael), Reading; Good
Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville.
Retirement date: 2007.
Deacons
25 years
All were ordained May 19, 1990 at the Cathedral of
St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown by Bishop Thomas
Welsh.
Deacon Francisco de la Gracia
Colon
Residence: Reading.
Current assignment: St. Joseph,
Reading.
Birthdate and home parish: Jan.
26, 1945, St. Peter, Reading.
Education: High school.
Family: Wife Carmen, three children, three grandchildren.
Deacon Julio Colon
Residence: Reading.
Current assignment: Retired Sept.
7, 2012.
Birthdate and home parish: Aug.
17, 1937, St. Peter, Reading.
Education: High school.
Previous assignments: St. Peter,
Reading.
Family: Wife Maria, three children, nine grandchildren, one greatgrandchild.
Deacon John Cummings
Residence: Allentown.
Current assignment: Retired.
Birthdate and home parish: July 21, 1927, St. Anne,
Bethlehem.
Education: Bachelor of science degree.
Previous assignments: St. Anne, Bethlehem; assisted at
the Tribunal.
Family: Wife Bev, eight children.
Deacon James Duncan
Residence: Wescosville.
Current assignment: St. Thomas
More, Allentown.
Birthdate and home parish: Feb.
15, 1948, St. Thomas More, Allentown.
Education: Master’s degree in
business administration, doctorate
of education.
Previous assignments: Assisted at
the Tribunal.
Family: Wife Cathy, one child.
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}}Continued from page 27
Deacon Henry Fleck
Residence: Bath.
Current assignment: Retired July
26, 2011.
Birthdate and home parish: Aug.
26, 1934; St. Bernard, Easton.
Education: High school.
Previous assignments: Our Lady of
Mercy, Easton; St. Bernard, Easton.
Family: Wife Marie, six children,
20 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.
Deacon Joseph Godiska
Residence: Nazareth.
Current assignment: Retired Aug.
10, 2011.
Birthdate and home parish: March
5, 1936, St. Anthony, Easton.
Education: High school.
Previous assignments: Queenship
of Mary, Northampton; Our Lady of
Hungary, Northampton.
Family: Wife Toni, two children,
three grandchildren.
Deacon Alex Maggitti Sr.
Residence: Whitehall.
Current assignment: Retired June
2011.
Birthdate and home parish: March
10, 1930; St. Cyril, East Lansdowne.
Education:
Overbrook
High
School.
Previous assignments: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall.
Family: Wife Patricia, six children,
14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren.
Deacon Edison Morales
Residence: Baltimore, Md.
Current assignment: Sacred Heart
of Jesus, Baltimore, Md.
Birthdate and home parish: March
23, 1953, Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Education: High school.
Previous assignments: Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
Family: Wife Mari, three children,
three grandchildren.
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Deacon John Murphy
Residence: Wyomissing.
Current assignment: Retired July
18, 2010.
Birthdate and home parish: April
26, 1934, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
Education: Bachelor of science degree.
Previous assignments: St. Ignatius
Loyola, Sinking Spring; diocesan
director of information; editor and
general manager of The A.D. Times.
Family: Wife Ann deceased, four
children, seven grandchildren.
John Setlock
Residence: Barnesville.
Current assignment: St. Richard,
Barnesville.
Birthdate and home parish: Feb.
6, 1945, Immaculate Conception,
St. Clair.
Education: Arnouts Addition
Grade School; St. Clair Area High
School; Officer Intelligence Training School.
Previous assignments: St. Joseph,
Mahanoy City; Annunciation/St.
Ann, Frackville; St. Mary, St. Clair.
Family: Wife Ellie.
John Pogash
Residence: Saint Clair.
Current assignment: Retired 2010.
Birthdate: June 17, 1928.
Education: St. Clair Elementary
School; St. Clair High School.
Previous assignments: St. Mary;
St. Boniface; SS. Peter and Paul; St.
Clare of Assisi, all in St. Clair.
Family: Wife Elizabeth (Betty) deceased, three children, six grandchildren.
Deacon Fernando Torres
Residence: Shillington.
Current assignment: Retired Aug.
26, 2011.
Birthdate and home parish: May
25, 1938, St. Peter Reading.
Education: High school.
Previous assignments: St. Peter,
Reading.
Family: Wife Ramonita, three children, 11 grandchildren.
Robert Rodgers
Residence: Easton.
Current assignment: St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton.
Birthdate and home parish: Dec.
16, 1942, St. Jane, Easton.
Education: Palmer Elementary
School, Easton; Wilson Area High
School, Easton.
Previous assignments: Ministry
at Northampton County Prison,
Easton; chaplain, Easton Hospital
Family: Wife Teresa, one child, two
grandchildren.
Deacon Robert Tyson
Residence: Calabash, N.C.
Current assignment: Retired Oct.
19, 2011.
Birthdate and home parish: June
18, 1936, St. Thomas More, Allentown.
Education: Master of science degree.
Previous assignments: Our Lady,
Star of the Sea, North Myrtle Beach,
S.C.; St. Thomas More, Allentown.
Family: Wife June, four children,
eight grandchildren.
June 18, 2015
Diocese
The A.D. Times
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The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015
Reading; assistant pastor, St. Patrick,
Pottsville; assistant pastor, St. Francis of
Assisi, Allentown; and a second time as
professor, Nativity BVM High School,
and resident, St. Francis of Assisi, Minersville.
His first pastoral assignment was at
the former SS. Peter and Paul, St. Clair,
followed by pastor, the former St. Nicholas, Weatherly, and pastor, the former St.
Lawrence, Catasauqua.
During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Onushco held the following
auxiliary diocesan assignments: regional
director, Catholic Youth Organization,
Berks County; regional Coordinator,
CCD, West Schuylkill County; regional
director, Thanksgiving Clothing Drive,
Berks County; regional director, Voca-
tions Apostolate, South Schuylkill County; special advocate, Diocesan Tribunal;
regional director, Catholic Youth Organization, Lehigh County; and member, Diocesan Board of Education.
Surviving are a sister, Christine Bobal
and brother-in-law, James; a niece, Jennifer; and nephews Matthew and Andrew.
Mass of Christian Burial for Father
Onushco was celebrated June 11 at St.
Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven. Main celebrant was Bishop Emeritus of Allentown
Edward Cullen. Homilist was Msgr. Joseph Sobiesiak, senior priest, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall.
Main concelebrants were Msgr. Gerald
Gobitas, secretary for clergy, chancellor
and rector, Holy Family Villa for Priests,
Bethlehem; Msgr. Edward Zemanik, pastor, St. Ambrose; Father Stephen Maco,
pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bangor; and Msgr. Sobiesiak.
Interment took place at St. Ambrose
Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
El Espíritu Santo aparece con este
nombre por primera vez en la Biblia, en
la Anunciación. “El Espíritu Santo te
cubrirá con su sombra” (Lc 1:35).
La primera manifestación extraordinaria en la historia, fue el día de Pentecostés cuando nació la iglesia, esa manifestación fue fruto de una novena de
vigilias, en el aposento alto; nueve días
de oración, aunque con miedo, pero
era más la fe, la obediencia a Jesús, y
la esperanza de que se cumplirían las
promesas de Dios.
Hubo un derroche de gracias, de
amor como nunca visto en la historia de
la salvación.
Hoy aunque parece mal, el ambiente mundano, el Espíritu Santo está
llevando a cabo una obra tan grande y
tan grande, como nunca en la historia
de la humanidad.
Si usamos bien la ciencia matemática, y vemos los números de los hombres y mujeres evangelizando, los que
profesan su fe en Cristo Jesús, son incomparables a ninguna otra generación.
Cuando vemos los medios de comunicación, que se usan para evangelizar: la radio, la televisión, y todos los
medios electrónicos. El anuncio de la
buena nueva llega a todos los hombres
del mundo.
Llega a los pacíficos y también a los
violentos. Los mártires de este siglo
entregan sus vidas para que el Espíritu
Santo, quién les da las fuerzas para hacer crecer el Reino de Dios en la tierra.
La sangre de los mártires es semilla
de cristianos. Es una realidad el mal lucha contra el bien y está perdido; Cristo
lo venció en la cruz. Mientras mas daño
hacen a los cristianos, más crece la cumunidad de los creyentes en Jesús.
El Espíritu Santo habló por los profetas antiguos, los que tenemos en las
Escrituras y nos enseñan las verdades
reveladas. Hoy también, el Espíritu
Santo está hablando por los profetas
verdaderos, los que son fieles al mensaje revelado y lo anuncian con un testimonio de vida.
Jesús dijo: “Si alquien me ama
cumplirá mi palabra, mi padre lo amará, vendremos a él y habitaremos en él”
(Jn 14:23).
Todo bautizado es ungido por Dios
como profeta de Dios para anunciar al
mundo, la buena noticia de la salvación.
Ven Espíritu Santo deciende como
la lluvia, sopla como el viento, ilumina
más que el sol, satúranos de tu presencia, muéstranos a Jesús, llénanos de tu
santo amor, renuevanos hoy, mañana y
siempre.
Death
Father William Onushco, retired priest
Father William
Onushco, 66, retired
priest, died June 4 in
his home in Florida.
A native of Pottsville, Father Onushco was the son of the
late John and Stella
(Slevinski) Onushco.
He attended St.
Ambrose
School,
Schuylkill
Haven
and Nativity BVM
High School, Pottsville. He studied for
the priesthood at Don Bosco College,
Newton, N.J.; Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus Ohio, where he earned a
bachelor of arts degree in philosophy; and
Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, where he received master of divinity
and master of theology degrees.
He was ordained to the priesthood
May 15, 1976 by Bishop Joseph McShea
at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena,
Allentown.
Father Onushco’s first priestly assignment was assistant pastor, Sacred Heart,
West Reading, followed by professor,
Holy Name High School, Reading and
resident, Most Blessed Sacrament Rectory, Bally; professor, Nativity BVM
High School, Pottsville and resident, St.
Joseph Rectory, Pottsville; assistant pastor, Mary, Queen of Peace, Pottsville;
assistant pastor, Holy Guardian Angels,
Reading; assistant pastor, St. Margaret,
Ven Espíritu Santo
Por DIÁCONO JOSÉ SANTOS
Ven Espíritu Santo, manda tu luz
desde el cielo, envía tus dones sobre tus
fieles; renueva la faz de la tierra, prepara al pueblo Cristiano, para la misión
renovadora, tan necesitada en el tiempo
presente. Cambia el corazón del hombre para que ame a su Señor.
En el principio el Espíritu de Dios se
movía sobre las aguas, pero ahora quiere moverse en nuestros corazónes. El
Espíritu Santo, quien se muestra tambien en forma de paloma, anda volando
buscando un ardiente corazón donde
habitar. ¿Será el mío? ¿Será el tuyo?
¿Quién está dispuesto a dar posada a
quien ya está dentro?
Muchas veces se nos olvida que el
Espíritu Santo habita en nuestro interior como un sello indeleble. El día que
fuiste bautizado, recibíste el sello que
no se borra, está dentro de ti, aunque no
se vea, aunque no lo sientas, basta que
tengas fe y creas las enseñanzas de la
Iglesia, lo que dice la palabra de Dios.
Creo en el Espíritu Santo, Señor y
dador de vida, que procede del Padre
y del Hijo, que con el Padre y el Hijo
recibe una misma adoración y gloria, y
que habló por los profetas.
Creer es confiar, es aceptar la guía
de la doctrina, es dejarse llevar por las
mociones (movimentos) del Espíritu
Santo, quien conduce por medio de impulsos interiores, sin dejar la guía de las
enseñanzas que él mismo ha inspirado
a los antiguos profetas. Bien dijo Jesús:
el Espíritu Santo les recordará todo lo
que yo les he enseñado.
Nadie recuerda lo que no ha aprendido o vivido, por ésta razón es necesario estudiar, leer, releer, meditar las
Escrituras, y ayuda mucho conocer las
doctrinas de la iglesia.
Cuando estaba de niño en la catequésis, aprendí del catequista: “no te
vayas de la Iglesia hasta que la conozca
completa,” a los 57 años, todavía no
conozco ni la mitad.
Tambien dijo Jesús: “no se preocupen de lo que van a decir en el momento de la persecusión, el Espíritu Santo
les sugerirá, lo que deben decir en cada
momento oportunamente. Para ganar
la batalla de Dios, lo lograremos con
la fuerza de Dios, con su sabiduría, y
él nos conducirá hacia fuentes tranquilas.”
Dios, quien es Señor de la vida, es
dueño de la vida. Se equivocan los que
creen que pueden terminar la vida antes de nacer, o al final por incapacidad
física; en ambos casos son acciones
violentas, fruto de la ignorancia, por no
concer la verdad de Dios.
Estos casos cuando se cometen tales
crímenes, producen sentimientos de
culpabilidad, porque son actos de asesinatos que Dios rechaza.
El Espíritu Santo es una persona:
la tercera de la Santísima Trinidad, es
aliento de vida, por él vivimos. Dice el
salmo 104:29: “Si tú les retiras tu aliento, vulven al polvo.”
Procede del Padre y del Hijo; es
enviado por el Padre en el nombre de
Jesús, su Hijo amado, a quien el Padre
entregó para rescatarnos del poder del
pecado heredado y cometido.
Worship
June 18, 2015
Prayer requests for priests
Please pray for our Holy Fathers, our
bishops and these priests serving in the
Diocese of Allentown during each designated date of July.
1 – His Holiness Pope Francis
2 – Pope Emeritus Benedict
3 – Bishop of Allentown John Barres
4 – Bishop Emeritus Edward Cullen
5 – Father Keith Mathur
6 – Msgr. John McCann
7 – Father John McCaslin
8 – Father Robert McConaghy
9 – Father Edward McElduff
10 – Father John McGinley
11 – Father Timothy McIntire
12 – Father John McNamara
13 – Father Kenneth Medve
14 – Msgr. Raymond Merman
15 – Deceased priests
16 – Father Brian Miller
17 – Father Ronald Minner
18 – Father Stanley Moczydlowski
19 – Father Anthony Mongiello
20 – Seminarians
21 – Father James Morgan
22 – Msgr. David Morrison
23 – Msgr. John Mraz
24 – Father Joseph Muller
25 – Msgr. James Mulligan
26 – Father Michael Mullins
27 – Msgr. Anthony Muntone
28 – Father Elias Munyaneza
29 – Msgr. John Murphy
30 – Father Francis Nave
31 – Father Anthony Nyari
The A.D. Times
Sunday Scripture
Sunday, June 21
First reading
Responsorial psalm
Second reading
Gospel
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Job 38:1, 8-11
Psalms 107: 23-26, 28-31
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Mark 4:35-41
Sunday, June 28
First reading
Responsorial psalm
Second reading
Gospel
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalms 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Mark 5:21-43
Sunday, July 5
First reading
Responsorial psalm
Second reading
Gospel
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ezekiel 2:2-5
Psalms 123:1-4
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6a
Recommended to your prayers by Pope Francis
Apostleship of Prayer Intentions for July
Universal Intention: That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high
form of charity.
Evangelization Intention: That, amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society.
In memoriam
Please remember these clerics of the
Diocese of Allentown in your prayers
during July, the anniversary month of
their death.
1 – Father Richard Schware, 2010
1 – Father Thomas Horan, 2014
2 – Father Francis Mealey, 1988
3 – Father Joseph Fricker, 1982
3 – Deacon Richard Scrak, Sr., 2004
3 – Father Paul Masiar, 2011
4 – Father Michael Ditsky, 1977
4 – Father Charles Ruffenach, 1980
6 – Father Joseph Rapczynski, 1998
7 – Father Edward Kenney, 1989
7 – Father Walter Hall, 2006
9 – Msgr. Charles Moss, 2006
10 – Father Leo Houseknecht, 1990
10 – Deacon Francis Pham, 2009
11 – Father Harry Hynes, 1975
12 – Msgr. Joseph Whalen, 1999
14 – Father Francis Walters, 1985
16 – Father Thomas McCrossen, 1964
16 – Father Peter Vandergeest, 2003
18 – Father John Egan, 1989
19 – Father John Sabas, 1996
20 – Deacon Gerald Hughes, 2007
20 – Deacon Hugh E. McShane, 2011
20 – Father David Czartorynski, 2014
21 – Msgr. Henry Huesman, 1975
22 – Father John Fesser, 1977
22 – Father Joseph Shelonis, 1986
26 – Father Joseph Reseterics, 1969
27 – Father William Vezis, 1964
27 – Father Aloysius Hammeke, 1983
28 – Msgr. Felix LaBuda, 1986
30 – Msgr. Edward Sarzynski, 2014
31
32
The A.D. Times
Diocese
June 18, 2015