Honoring ... with gratitude

     Last Tuesday we celebrated locally ... with gratitude ... 730 years of priestly service by 15 of our priests on Jubilee Day in the Diocese of Greensburg.

     On Thursday of last week we as a nation and indeed most of Europe and a great many in the world family honored ... with deep gratitude ... the deep and awesome sacrifice of so many on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy and a turning point in World war II.

     In the news and on TV we saw images of this devastating yet inspiring force that fought for freedom and for the freedom that we now share.  The images of the battle and of the honoring of those who remain were moving, and the pictures of the graves in France and the remembrance of the growing number of this "greatest generation" that have died in these last 75 years brought a great sadness to many hearts.

     My Dad was one of those that stormed the beaches of Normandy that day.  He was wounded but thankfully survived.  He spoke little of those days until a number of years ago when Tom Brokow began to reveal the sacrifice of who he called "the greatest generation."  Dad took great pride in his service during the war, but never boasted.  Rather he viewed those days with respect and humility.

     A short time following his death I made a trip to the National D-Day Memorial near Staunton in Virginia.  It is not as well known as some memorials, but it is inspiring as it honors those who fought and died on those beaches 75 years ago.  Janie and I also were able to be present a number of years ago for the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.  Another place to visit and honor ... with gratitude ... the veterans of the D-Day invasion.

... with gratitude

     There are three events last week that had me looking back and giving thanks for the people who have touched my life.

Celebrating … with gratitude

     On Tuesday, June 4th, our bishops and priests gathered for our annual celebration of significant Jubilee years of our priests.  Traditionally we recognized 25 and 50 years, and those 60 and over in five year increments.  As the years have gone by and we have become an older priesthood, we this year include one 25th, six 40th, one 50th, three 55th, two 60th and two 65th.  

     The Jubilarians this year include one of our newest Filipino priests, Father Elmer Alforque, who celebrates his 25th. 

He has only been with us for a few months (on a five year loan from his home diocese) and is assisting Father Mike Crookston at the parishes of Epiphany in Monessen and Saint Sebastian in Belle Vernon.

     Celebrating their 40th year of ordination we have Father Dennis Bogusz who was serving as Chaplain at Saint Anne Home in Greensburg, but whose retirement was just announced this past weekend … Benedictine Fathers Ronald Gatman, Chad Ficorilli and Damian Warnock, all of Saint Vincent Archabbey.  Father Chad has served as pastor in our diocese … Monsignor Raymond Riffle, rector (pastor) of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral as well as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Greensburg … and Father Stephen West, former pastor of Saint Joseph in Derry and presently retired.

Father Dennis Bogusz

Father Stephen West

 Msgr Ray Riffle with myself and our friends Rich and Joanne Stillwagon.

Rich and I are High School classmates.

[ no picture available for Fathers Chad, Damian & Ronald ]

     Celebrating 50 years of ordination is our bishop emeritus (our retired bishop) Bishop Lawrence E Brandt.  Originally a priest of Erie, he served in the Vatican Diplomatic Corps for a number of years and served as our fourth bishop.

Bishop Brandt

     Celebrating 55 years were Father Donald Conroy who is still active in parish work in northern Indiana County.  Joining him at our gathering were Father Earl Henry, Prior of Saint Vincent and  Father Jerry O'Shea, a retired priest of Pittsburgh who lives in Greensburg and helps out in many parishes.  Both are great friends of all of us. [I have no picture for Fathers Earl or Jerry]

     Father Don Conroy

     Celebrating 60 years are Benedictine Campion Gavaler and our own Father Anthony Wozniak.  Father Anthony is in Saint Anne Home recovering from an illness.  He was our Assistant Pastor when I graduated from 8th grade at Saint Joseph school in Uniontown and is a god friend.

     Father Anthony Wozniak

     And celebrating 65 years of priesthood are Benedictine Fathers Noel Rothrauff and Daniel Wolfel.

     There were about 70 of our priests who gathered for Mass and dinner last Tuesday.  We celebrated … with gratitude -

the 730 years of dedicated service as a priest of these 15 men.

Outstanding!  What a blessing!