2011

A New Principal and Parochial Vicar, Establishment of Pastoral Council

As the parish approached its 6th anniversary, some attention was given to refurbishing the hall and music room at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Our own maintenance director, Philip Carlini saw to the repainting of the hall with some help from members of our youth ministry. Repairs were also made to the Music Room. It was also painted and re-carpeted. New chairs were also purchased. During the summer, a number of improvements were made to the campus of Our Lady of Sorrows: replacements were made to the rectory and school roofs; some painting was done in the rectory.

July 1, 2011 was quite significant as it marked the arrival of a new parochial vicar, newly ordained, Fr. H. Todd Carter as well as the resignation of Mrs. Donna Bacsik as school principal, for reasons of health. At the unanimous recommendation of a parish search committee for principal, Msgr. Gervasio appointed Mr. Donald Costantino of Yardley, PA.

The summer months were also marked by the appointment of a pastoral council.

The members of this first pastoral council, an advisory body to the pastor are:

Nicholas DeMarie, Linda Lane, Robert Marino, Lea Novak, Vince Peroni, Maureen Pfeiffer, Michael Schulz, Connie Starling, and David Uhaze. Ex-Officio members are Msgr. Gervasio and one deacon serving a one year term.

The latter half of 2011 saw to the replacement of a much needed flat roof for Our Lady of Sorrows School. It was undertaken by Jottan Roofing of Florence, NJ with VS Riggi, Architects of Dunmore, PA as consultants. The cost was $259,304.

In the realm of the spiritual, the parish agreed to host the celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form that is the say, the traditional Latin Mass using the Missal of 1962. The first Mass was celebrated by Fr. Brian Woodrow, the Bishop’s Liaison for the Extraordinary Form on November 27, the First Sunday of Advent. This is celebrated weekly at St. Anthony Church at 12:15 pm.

During the autumn months the nascent pastoral council made the focus of its deliberations the parish’s observance of the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. It also called for a parish photo directory and ways to enhance our parish’s “social networking” in efforts of evangelization.