Dialog Editor
More than 40 priests of the diocese concelebrated a Nov. 3 Mass with Bishop Malooly at St. Ann’s Church in Wilmington in observance of 16 priests who have reached significant anniversaries of their ordinations this year.
Two priests of the diocese celebrating 50years of priesthood participated in the liturgy: Msgr. Joseph F. Rebman, vicar general for pastoral services and pastor of St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville, and Father Stanley J. Russell, 75, who is pastor of St. Helena’s in Wilmington.
Father Edward Glapiak, 75, a former assistant pastor at St. Hedwig in Wilmington, who is also observing a golden anniversary ordination, didn’t attend the Nov. 3 Mass. He retired to Poland.
In his homily to the assembled priests, Bishop Malooly asked them to continue to serve the Lord, to rejoice in hope and to persevere in prayer.
The bishop thanked the clergy for being welcoming shepherds for their parishioners and keeping up hope “in these difficult times.” He urged the priests to pray and to maintain a “closeness to the Lord.”
Noting that parishioners’ donations to the Annual Catholic Appeal exceeded the goal this year, the bishop told the priest jubilarians and their colleagues at the Mass, “Our parishes continue to be strong thanks to your leadership. Thank you for all that you do.”
The Dialog’s Nov. 11 edition will include short bios and photos of the 16 diocesan priests celebrating major ordination anniversaries this year.
