Tuesday, June 11, 2019

... 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!

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