October 22, 1975 - September 30, 2003. Father John served as our pastor for 28 years! Thank You Father John!
Ordained in 1965, Father John came to our parish in 1975. He has attended the Catholic University of America, the John XXIII Center for Eastern Christian Studies and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. He has also been active in catechetical ministry, continuing education for clergy and the presbyteral council of the Eparchy of Passaic. Father John is also very interested in heightening Byzantine Catholic awareness among Roman Catholics and other Christians.
Father John wrote on his 25th anniversary:
Today marks twenty-five years as pastor of St. Thomas. God has blessed me in my service to our parish and I am grateful to the Lord for having sent me to serve you for these twenty-five years as pastor.
I am grateful for your living faith in the Lord Jesus, your devout worship and sacramental participation, your love & loyalty to our parish community, your dedicated work & service and your commitment to our parish. I thank God that you have supported our parish projects and hopes for the future.
Like St. Paul I ask that you pray constantly and attentively for all in the holy company. Pray for me that God may put His Word on my lips, that I may courageously make known the mystery of the Gospel - that mystery for which I am an ambassador. Pray that I may have the courage to proclaim it as I ought.
At the end of September 2003, Fr. John accepted a position at the Blessed Theodore Romzha Greek Catholic Theological Academy in Uzhorod, Ukraine teaching English and Pastoral Theology. We at St. Thomas thank Fr. John for his years of service and wish him luck in new position.
On January 15, 2007 Fr. John accepted a position as pastor of our church St Ann Byzantine Catholic Church Harrisburg PA.
May God grant him many years!