Bishop Celebrates Jubilee Mass to Commemorate Priestly Ordination Milestones
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GREENSBURG – June 8, 2022 – Bishop Larry J. Kulick, JCL, was the principal celebrant for the Priests’ Jubilee Mass, June 8, at Christ our Shepherd Center in Greensburg. Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt joined Bishop Kulick, to recognize members of the clergy celebrating milestone anniversaries of their priestly ordinations. In all, 26 members of the clergy were recognized for their dedication to the faithful and their service to the Diocese of Greensburg.
In his Homily, Father William J. Lechnar, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Seward, asked his brother priests to celebrate what they have accomplished over their lives. Father Lechnar reminded the clergy that in the Eucharistic Prayer, when a priest prays over the Eucharist and chalice of wine to be consecrated, he asks our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit down upon them ‘like the dewfall’ so that they may become the body and blood of Christ. “We are like the dewfall,” Father Lechnar said. “We keep things thriving because these drops of water end up streaming, gushing and flooding the hearts of all we serve.” Father Lechnar is celebrating his 25th ordination anniversary this year.
Priests at the jubilee Mass were celebrated for their 65th, 60th 55th, 50th, 40th and 25th ordination anniversaries. Below is a list of clergy who have faithfully served the Diocese of Greensburg and who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.
Father Andrew Pleban - 65 Years
Hometown: Wynn, Pa
Seminary: St. Fidelis College, Herman; St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Md.; Saint Vincent College, Latrobe.
Ordination Date: May 25, 1957
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop High L. Lamb
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – St. Florian Parish, United (1957-1959);Parochial Vicar – St. Edward Parish, Herminie (1959-1965);Pastor – St. Joseph Parish, Everson (1966 -1973);Pastor – Holy Cross Parish, Youngwood and its former chapel, St. Gilbert. Hunker (1973-1982);Pastor – St. Edward Parish, Herminie (1982-1994);Pastor – St. Joseph Parish, Uniontown (1994 -2010)
Diocesan Appointments
Secretary of The Catholic Accent/Director of the Bureau of Information (1965-1969);Teacher – Greensburg Central Catholic High School (1960-1964);Chaplain – Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, Director of Diocesan Pilgrimages, Director of Cemeteries, Board of Consultors Priests Council Priests Personnel Committee, Priests Benefits Board (1992)
Retired on August 18, 2010 as the oldest active priest in the Diocese at age 80.
Lives at Neumann House in Greensburg
Monsignor William R. Rathgeb - 55 Years
Hometown: Greensburg, PA
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe.
Ordination Date: May 13, 1967
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell and its chapel in Braeburn (1967-1970); Parochial Vicar – The former St. Catherine Parish, Leechburg and its chapel in Hyde Park (1970-1971);Parochial Vicar – St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning (1971-1974);
Chaplain – Seton Hill College (now University), Greensburg (1975-1976); Pastor – Former Assumption Parish, Leechburg (1976-1978);
St. Thomas More Parish, Indiana (1978-1983) and (1987-1989); St. John the Baptist Parish, Perryopolis (1983-1985); St. Mary Parish, Export (1985-1987) ;Chaplain, Clelian Heights School, Greensburg (1991-2004);Chaplain, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill – 2005-Present
Diocesan Appointments
Assistant Chancellor Pro Tem (1974)
Tribunal Judge
Judicial Vicar
Judicial Vicar to the Tribunal of the Diocese of Greensburg (2015- Present)
He was named Chaplain to his Holiness with the title of Monsignor in February, 2005
Father Michael J. Sciberras - 55 Years
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Seminary: Sacred Heart and St. John Provincial, Detroit, MI; St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, PA
Ordination Date: May 13, 1967
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar at the former St. Cajetan Parish, Monessen (1967-1968); Assistant Principal at Greensburg Central Catholic High School (1968);Chaplain/instructor at Seton Hill College (now University), Greensburg (1969);Parochial Vicar at St. Regis Parish, Trafford (1971-1974); Pastor at the former St. John the Baptist Parish, Heilwood, and the former mission of Sacred Heart, Alverda and at the former St. Patrick Parish, Cameron’s Bottom. .(1974-1983); Pastor at the former Holy Rosary Parish, Republic (1983-1992); Pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville, and the former mission of Sacred Heart, Dawson. (1992-2001)
Pastor of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, East Vandergrift. (2001-2008);Senior Priest Active at St. James Apollo and Our Lady, Queen of Peace, East Vandergrift (2008-2015);Retired as Senior Priest with sacramental and liturgical responsibilities at Our Lady. Queen of Peace Parish, Vandergrift.(2015-2019);Pastoral and Sacramental ministry at St. Gertrude Parish, Vandergrift and Christ the King Parish, Leechburg (2019-present)
Diocesan Appointments
From 1971 through 1990, he was Spiritual Director for the Diocesan Cursillo Movement, an evangelization effort.
Father Bernard A. Survil - 55 Years
Hometown: Olean, NY
Seminary: St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore
Ordination Date: May 13, 1967
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar at Ascension, Jeannette (1967-1968); Parochial Vicar at St. Regis, Trafford (1968-1969); Parochial Vicar at the former St. Hedwig, Smock (1969-1970); Chaplain to Brothers of the Holy Cross, Indianapolis and to teacher at Cathedral High School (1970); Released to work with Maryknoll Fathers in Central and South America (1974);Released to work in the Galveston-Houston Diocese (1983); Released to work with Maryknoll’s in Central America (1983); Released to serve as National Chaplain of Pax Christi (1987); Permission to serve in the Diocese of Verapaz, Guatemala (1990)
Diocesan Appointments
Chaplain at Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children (2004)
In 2006, he became chaplain to the State Correctional Institution at Greensburg for six months while continuing as Clelian’s chaplain. Retired in July 2015.
Father John M. Butler - 50 Years
Hometown: New Kensington, PA
Seminary: St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, PA
Ordination Date: May 13, 1972
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop William Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar, St. John the Evangelist, Latrobe (1972-1975);Parochial Vicar ,St. Florian Parish, United (1975); Parochial Vicar , Mount Saint Peter Parish, New Kensington (1975-1983); Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Export (1987-1988); Administrator and Pastor, the former St. Anthony Parish, Clymer (1988-1995);
Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Connellsville (1995-2000); Administrator of the former Holy Trinity Parish, Connellsville while continuing as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Connellsville (2000-2006); Pastor, the former All Saints Parish, Masontown (2006-2008); Pastor, the former All Saints Parish Masontown, Administrator of the former St. Mary our Lady of Perpetual Help, Leckrone (2008-2013); Pastor – Saint Patrick Parish, Brady’s Bend (2013-2019)
Retired ( 2019)
Diocesan Appointments
Spiritual Director of Saint Vincent DePaul Society for the Diocese of Greensburg
Member of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee
Chaplain for CD of A, Court Annunciata #260
Father Patrick H. Mandock - 50 Years
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
Seminary: St. Pius X, Erlanger, KY; Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA
Ordination Date: May 13, 1972
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar, St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell (1972-1975); Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception, Irwin ( 1965-1977).
Military Chaplain – Released for service in the United States Army (1977-2000)
Retired from the military and from the Diocese of Greensburg in 2000.
Father Bryan F. Summers - 50 Years
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario Canada
Seminary: University of Trinity College, St. Basil’s Seminary, University of Toronto
Ordination Date: June 22, 1972
Location: Heinz Chapel, Pittsburgh, into the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Mensa Communis – The Oratory.
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – University Oratory Parish (1972-1982); Pastor – University Oratory Parish (1982-1983); Director – Newman Center, Pitt, CMU, Chatham (1993-2006); Parochial Vicar – Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville (2006-2009) Incardinated into the Diocese of Greensburg (2009); Pastor- Christ, Prince of Peace, Ford City and Administrator of St. Lawrence Cadogan (2009-2015); Retired (2015)
Diocesan Appointments
Chaplain – Diocesan Catholic Businesswomen’s Association (1995)
Delegate – Synod – Diocese of Pittsburgh (2000)
Father Robert M. Washko - 45 Years
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
Seminary: St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland, OH.
Ordination Date: June 11, 1977
Location: St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, Cleveland, OH
Diocesan Pastoral Appointments
Incardinated in the Diocese of Greensburg, (1988); Parochial Vicar – Holy Family Parish, Latrobe (1998-1991);Parochial Vicar – Epiphany of our Lord, Monessen (1991-1994); Pastor – The former Transfiguration Parish, Mount Pleasant (1994-2000);
Pastor – St. Joseph Parish, Everson (2000-2008)
Retired in 2008
Father Alan W. Grote - 40 Years
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
Seminary: Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary
Ordination Date: May 1, 1982
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar –Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg (1982-1987); Parochial Vicar –St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington( 1987-1993); Pastor – St. Francis of Assisi, Rossiter (1993-1995); Administrator -St. Michael Parish, Glen Campbell while continuing to serve as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi; Parochial Vicar – Holy Family Parish, Latrobe (1995-2005); Parochial Vicar – Mount St. Peter New Kensington, St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell (2005-2008);Parochial Vicar – St. Margaret Mary, Mt. St Peter Parish, St. Joseph Parish and St, Mary of Czestochowa Parish New Kensington (2008 -2012); Chaplain for Pastoral Care and Clergy Assistance, Northern Indiana County (2013-Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Diocesan Spiritual Director for Legion of Mary
Father William C. McGuirk - 40 Years
Hometown: Oil City, PA
Seminary: Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA
Ordination Date: May 1, 1982
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – Holy Family Parish, Latrobe (1982-1984);Parochial Vicar – Holy Family Parish Seward (1984-1985); Parochial Vicar – St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell (1985-1989);Parochial Vicar – Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin ( 1989-1992); Parochial Vicar – St. Sebastian Parish (1992-1993) Pastor – St. Thomas More Newman Center, Indiana (1993-1996);Pastor – St. John the Baptist, Delmont (1996-2002); Pastor – St. Florian Parish, United, and Administrator of the former St. Stanislaus Parish, Calumet and Chaplain at the former Frick Community Health Center and the former Highlands Hospital in Connellsville (2002-2005); Reappointed Chaplain at the former Frick Community Health Center while remaining Pastor of St. Florian Parish, United and Administrator of the former St. Stanislaus, Calumet. (2005-2007); Administrator of the former Forty Martyrs Parish, Trauger remaining Pastor of St. Florian Parish, United and Administrator the former St. Stanislaus, Calumet. (2007-2010); Pastor – The former Holy Rosary Parish, Republic and Administrator of the former St. Mary. Madonna of Czestochowa, Cardale (2010-2013); Pastor – Holy Cross Parish, Youngwood (2013- Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Deanery I Youth Moderator
Liaison to Engaged Encounters
Chair of Diocesan Commission for Human Life and Justice
Board of Delegate of Christian Associates
Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry
Regional Moderator (Region 10)
Father John A. Sedlak - 40 Years
Hometown: Fayette City, PA
Seminary: St. Charles Borromeo, Philadelphia
Ordination Date: May 1, 1982
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – St. Barbara Parish, Harrison City (1982-1983); Parochial Vicar – Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg (1983-1988); Parochial Vicar – St. John the Evangelist Parish, Uniontown and the former Mission of St. Joan of Arc, Farmington (1988-1994); Pastor – The former All Saint Parish, Masontown (1994-1996);Pastor – The former St. Hedwig, Smock and administrator of the former St. Cecilia, Grindstone ( 1996-2008); Pastor St. Joseph Parish, Everson while serving as Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul. (2008-2013) Pastor – St. Florian Parish, United (2013-current).
Diocesan Appointments
Deanery I Youth Moderator
Chaplain of Catholic Daughters of the Americas #1623
Father Kenneth G. Zaccagnini - 40 Years
Hometown: Export, PA
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe
Ordination Date: May 1, 1982
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg (1982-1983); Parochial Vicar – Ascension Parish, Jeannette (1983-1985);
Parochial Vicar – Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1985); Parochial Vicar – St. Mary Parish Kittanning (1986-1990);
Parochial Vicar – Mount St. Peter, New Kensington and the former All Saint Parish, Arnold (1990-1993); Parochial Vicar – St. Mary (Nativity) Parish, Uniontown and the former Mission of St. Cecilia, Lemont Furnace (1993-1994);Pastor – St. Joseph Parish, Derry (1994-1998); Pastor – St. Therese Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Uniontown (1998-2002); Administrator of St. Mary (Nativity) Parish Uniontown while remaining Pastor of St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Uniontown (2002-2008); Administrator of Seven Dolors Parish Yukon and the former St. Timothy Parish, Smithton, while continuing as Pastor of St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Uniontown (2008); Pastor – St. Barbara Parish, Harrison City (2008-2011); Administrator of Seven Dolors Parish, Yukon, while continuing as Pastor of St. Barbara Parish, Harrison City ( 2011-2014); Pastor – St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell (2014-2015); Administrator of St. Mary Parish Freeport, while continuing as Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell (2015 – 2021); Pastor – Mount St. Peter Parish, St. Joseph Parish, St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish, New Kensington while remaining Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Lower Burrell (2021-Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Chaplain – Indiana University of Pennsylvania Kittanning Campus
Chaplain – Penn State University New Kensington Campus
Vicar Forane (Dean, Deanery VI) Dean, Deanery III
College of Consultors
Priests Council Vicar Forane (Dean, Deanery I)
Father John A. Moineau - 35 Years
Hometown: Lower Burrell
Seminary: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD
Ordination Date: May 2, 1987
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – St. Agnes Parish, North Huntingdon (1987-1991); Pastoral Team at Greensburg Central High School while remaining parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish (1991-1992);Parochial Vicar – St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Indiana (1992-1996); Parochial Vicar – Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville (1996-1997); Pastor – the former St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Sutersville, 1997-1999);Pastor – St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadelupe Parish, Kittanning (1999-2000); Pastor – Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville (2000-2005); Pastor – Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (2005 -2017); Pastor – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, North Huntingdon, while remaining Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (2017-Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Deanery II Youth Moderator
Chaplain -p Knights of Columbus Father McNelis Council
College of Consultors
Priests Council
Regional Clergy Moderator
Father John J. Harrold - 30 Years
Hometown: Greensburg
Seminary: Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, NY
Ordination Date: May 16, 1992
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – St. Agnes Parish, North Huntingdon ( 1992-93); Parochial Vicar – Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville (1993-1996); Parochial Vicar – St. John the Evangelist Parish, Uniontown (1996-1998); Parochial Vicar – St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Indiana (1998-99); Pastor – St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish, Donegal (1999-2007); Pastor – Saint Edward Parish – Herminie (2007-2015); Pastor – Christ, Prince of Peace Parish, Ford City and Administrator of St. Lawrence Parish, Cadogan (2015-2017);
Pastor of St. Ambrose Parish Avonmore; St. Matthew Parish Saltsburg and St. Sylvester Parish Slickville ( 2017-Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Chaplain to Harmon House, Mount Pleasant
Bishop Larry J. Kulick, JCL - 30 Years
Hometown: Leechburg, PA
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary
Ordination Date: May 16, 1992
Ordaining Bishop: Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
Pastoral Appointments:
Parochial Vicar – Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg (1992-1995); Parochial Vicar – Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1995-1997); Pastor – Church of the Good Shepherd, Kent (1997-2002; Pastor – St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington (2002-2008); Pastor – St. James Parish, New Alexandria (2012-2021)
Episcopal Ordination as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg (2021)
Diocesan Appointments:
Consultant on Priestly Vocations
Co-Director of Priestly Vocations
Director of Clergy Vocations
Co-Director of the Permanent Diaconate
Episcopal Master of Ceremonies
Co-Episcopal Master of Ceremonies
Acting Chancellor
Appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
Elected Diocesan Administrator
Other Appointments
Moderator and Chaplain of the Greensburg Diocesan Council of the National Council of Catholic Women
Served on the Priests Council and Board of Consultors
Earned a licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University (2012)
Received the title of Monsignor as Vicar General (2014)
Inducted as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (2011) and elevated to Knight Commander (2015)
Bishop Kulick is a member of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC), where he was a member of the PCC Administrative Board (2012-2021) and served as Board Secretary. He serves on the boards of Saint Vincent Seminary, Saint Vincent College and Seton Hill University. He is also a member of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania.
Father Efren C. Ambre - 25 Years
Hometown: Lagangilang, Abra, Philippines
Seminary: Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan City, Philippines
Ordination Date: November 30, 1997
Location: Holy Cross Parish Church, Lagangilang, Abra, Philippines
Diocesan Pastoral Appointments
2015- Pro-tem parish priest in residence SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Fairchance parochial responsibilities at SS. Cyril & Methodius. Fairchance and the former St. Hubert, Point Marion; Parochial Vicar at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadelupe, Kittanning and St. Mary, Mother of God Parish in Yatesboro; 2017-2019 – Pastor St. John the Baptist de La Salle Parish Delmont and Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Export; 2019 – Administrator Pro Tem St. John the Baptist Parish, Perryopolis until returning to the Philippines;
2022 – Returned to the Diocese of Greensburg to await assignment.
Father Teodoro A. Cortezano - 25 Years
Hometown: Tinambac, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Seminary: Holy Rosary Major Seminary Philippines
Ordination Date: November 22, 1997
Location: Basilica of Our Lady Of Peñafrancia, Naga City, Philippines
Diocesan Pastoral Appointments
2017- Parochial Vicar at St. Pius and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parishes in Mount Pleasant and St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish in Donegal. In 2019, appointed Chaplain at Excela Health Frick Hospital and Harmon House Care Centers in Mount Pleasant while continuing as parochial vicar at the above parishes. Presently parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in North Huntingdon.
Father William J. Lechnar - 25 Years
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
Seminary: Saint Paul Seminary, Pittsburgh, St. Vincent Seminary Latrobe
Ordination Date: June 7, 1997
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1997-1999); Parochial Vicar – Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg (1999-2001); Pastor – St. Thomas More Parish, Indiana (2005-2012);Pastor – Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville (2012-2014); Administrator and Pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish, Kent (2014-2019); Pastor – St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadelupe Parish Kittanning and St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Yatesboro (2019-2020); Pastor- Holy Family Parish, Seward (2020 – to Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Associate Director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Planning
Diocesan Consultant for Planning
Director of the Office of Planning
Director of Pilgrimages
Father James H. Loew, O.S.B. - 25 Years
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary
Simple Profession : July 10, 1992
Monastic Vows: July 11, 1995
Ordination Date: May 31, 1997
Ordaining Bishop: Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
Service at Saint Vincent:
He served the Monastic community as a sacristan (1992), director of the sacristy (1993-1996), and with the Archabbey Lay Retreat Program (1992-1993). He has been an assistant archivist (1994-1996). From 2006 to 2007, he was curator of the Archabbey Coin and Stamp Collections. From 2006 to 2010, he served as director of Sacristies. From 2008 to 2009, he was assistant master of ceremonies, and from 2007 to 2009, he was manager of the Gristmill General Store. From 2008 to 2009, he served as assistant manager of the cemetery office.
Diocesan Appointments
Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Jeannette 1997-2002. Pastor – St. Gertrude Parish (2009). Administrator of Christ the King while continuing as pastor of St. Gertrude Parish. Appointed pastor of both parishes in 2020. In addition, he serves as Clergy Moderator for Region II.
Father Thomas More Sikora, O.S.B. - 25 Years
Hometown: Avonmore, PA
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary
Simple Profession : July 10, 1989
Monastic Vows: July 11, 1993
Ordination Date: May 31, 1997
Ordaining Bishop: Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
Service at Saint Vincent:
Father Thomas More Sikora has served at the Saint Vincent Gristmill, on the faculty of Saint Vincent College and with the pastoral formation program of Saint Vincent Seminary.
Diocesan Appointments
St. James Parish, Apollo, and Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, East Vandergrift. Presently, Priest In Residence With Limited Pastoral Responsibility at St. Gertrude Parish and Christ the King Parish, both in Vandergrift.
Father William G. Berkey - 20 Years
Hometown: Bradenville, PA
Seminary: Ordination Date: June 1, 2002
Ordaining Bishop: Bishop Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, PA
Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – Mount St. Peter Parish, New Kensington and St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell (2002-2005); Parochial Vicar – Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg (2005-2010);Pastor – Holy Cross Parish, Youngwood 2010-2013; Pastor – St. Francis of Assisi, Masontown (2013-2021); Pastor – St. the Evangelist Parish and St. Rose Parish, Latrobe – (2021-Present).
Diocesan Appointments
Clergy Personnel Board
Instructor of Religion at Greensburg Central Catholic High School
Regional Clergy Moderator
Father Vincent A. Yee Concepcion - 20 Years
Hometown: Naga City, Philippines
Seminary: Ordination Date: March 11, 2002
Ordaining Bishop:
Location: Basilica Minore of OL of Peñafrancia
Diocesan Pastoral Appointments
Parochial Vicar – St. John the Evangelist Parish, St. Joseph Parish, St. Mary (Nativity) Parish, St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Uniontown (2018 – 2021); Pastor – St. Edward Parish, Herminie (2021-Present)
Diocesan Appointments
Clergy Personnel Board
Instructor of Religion at Greensburg Central Catholic High School
BENEDICTINES
Father Mario Fulgenzi, O.S.B.- 60 Years
Hometown: Vandergrift, PA
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary and the Stigmatine Fathers in Campinas, Brazil
Simple Profession : July 2, 1962
Monastic Vows: July 11, 1965
Ordination Date: August 15, 1968
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Location: Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
Service at Saint Vincent: At Saint Vincent Archabbey, Father Mario was socius of brother candidates, and an assistant for the Benedictine Foreign Mission Society and Saint Vincent College Bookstore. In 1967, he was assigned to the Archabbey’s foundation in Brazil, the Monastery of Saint Benedict in Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil. He was director of the retreat house and program; local coordinator of Youth Ministry, regional coordinator of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, parochial vicar and spiritual counselor to married couple groups (Teams of Mary), master of formation, and prior. Father Mario was co–founder and member of the board of directors of a school for special needs children in Vinhedo. He returned to the Saint Vincent in 2017 currently serves as the assistant to the archabbot.
Diocesan Pastoral Appointment
Pastor- Saint Vincent Basilica Parish (1996 – 2000)
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. - 50 Years
Hometown: Everson, PA
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary
Simple Profession : 1989
Monastic Vows: July 11, 1996
Ordination Date: May 21, 1972
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Abbatical Blessing: March 1, 1991 By Bishop Anthony G. Bosco
Service at Saint Vincent:
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., is the eleventh Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey and Chancellor of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the Major Superior of the Benedictines at the Priory and Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia, and the Benedictine Priories in Brazil and Taiwan. At Saint Vincent College he served as Chairman of the Department of Psychology from 1979 to 1984 and Associate Academic Dean from 1983 to 1984. From 1978 through 1983, he was also a member of the staff in the Behavioral Science Department at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The Archabbot also served as a psychological consultant to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for a number of years. Archabbot Douglas is a member of the Board of Trustees of the McFeely-Rogers Foundation, the Extra Mile Education Foundation, Saint Vincent College and Seminary Board of Incorporators, Saint Vincent College Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia. During his years as Secretary of Education in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, he also served as a member of the Saint Anthony School for Exceptional Children Board of Directors and the DePaul Institute Board of Directors. He also serves as a member of the International Benedictine Commission on China.
Father Cyprian Constantine, O.S.B. - 50 Years
Hometown: Boulder, CO.
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary
Simple Profession : 1972
Monastic Vows: 1975
Ordination Date: 1977
Ordaining Bishop: William G. Connare
Service at Saint Vincent: Father Cyprian is an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts, where he teaches Organ, Violin, and Music History and has served as Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Chair of the Music Department. A past Academic Dean of Saint Vincent Seminary, he continues to serve in the Seminary as Director of Liturgical Formation, teaches courses in music and in liturgy and directs the Schola Cantorum. He also serves the Archabbey as principal organist and is a member of the Novitiate faculty. In addition to having served for many years as organist and choirmaster for the monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Fr. Cyprian enjoyed appointments as Director of Music for Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.
Father Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B. - 25 Years
Hometown: Great Neck, NY
Seminary: Saint Vincent Seminary
Simple Profession : July 10, 1997
Monastic Vows: July 11, 2000
Ordination Date: May 17, 2003
Ordaining Bishop: Anthony G. Bosco
Location: Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
Service at Saint Vincent:
Assistant Director of Vocations; Assistant For Summer Retreat Program.
Diocesan Appointments
Parochial Vicar – Saint Vincent Basilica (2003-2007) and pastor (2007-2021)
Father Robert Keefer, O.S.B. - 25 Years
Hometown: Connellsville, PA
Simple Profession : 1989
Solemn Vows as a Benedictine Monk: July 11, 2017
Priestly Ordination Date: August 24, 1997
Service at Saint Vincent:
His service at Saint Vincent has included assistant director, guest room facilities manager (2013-2015); bereavement and ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Saint Vincent Cemetery (2013); assistant manager, Gristmill General Store (2013-2014); assistant director, retreat program (2013-present). He was assigned as a hospital chaplain in 2014 at Excela Health in Latrobe, and he served (2015-2017) in campus ministry at Seton Hill University, Greensburg. He was named director of the Archabbey art collection in 2018. Father Robert began teaching art history and studio art at Saint Vincent College in 2019. From 2020-2021 director of pastoral formation and member of the adjunct faculty at Saint Vincent Seminary.
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