One Celebrates 65 Years...7 - 50 Years
It was a Mass of Joy on Tuesday, May 20th as 36 priests of the Diocese of Cleveland celebrated anniversaries of their ordinations in five-year intervals beginning with Father Thomas Rath, 65 years, and 25 year anniversaries celebrated by six Presbyters. (See complete list below).
During the Jubilee Mass homily, Father Joseph Kraker, a 50 year anniversary celebrant, reflected on the priesthood and the changes which have come to the Church and the faith. He said the ordination class of 1964 produced the quintessential Vatican II priests who introduced the new ideas, liturgy, participation in the sacraments, and the dialogue Mass to the faithful.
He then cited the loss of vocations and people in the pews some years later, and asked the question, ?What happened to that beautiful dream? Camelot.?
Describing the priesthood as a ministry of service, he thanked God for all the graces and for the gifts of priesthood.
Click HERE to view our image gallery from the celebration.
2014 Priesthood Jubilarians
[caption id="attachment_7460" align="alignright" width="300"] Jubilarians Celebrating 60 Years[/caption]
Ordained April 2, 1949 (65 Years)
Rev. Thomas V. Rath
Ordained June 29, 1954 (60 Years)
Rev. Thaddeus M. Swirski
Ordained December 18, 1954 (60 Years)
Rev. Arthur A. Bacher
Rev. James R. Becherer
Rev. Edward J. Luca
Rev. Joseph H. Piskura
Rev. John R. Rathfon
Rev. James J. Vesely
[caption id="attachment_7458" align="alignright" width="300"] Jubilarians Celebrating 50 Years[/caption]
Ordained May 23, 1964 (50 Years)
Rev. Robert T. Begin
Rev. James L. Caddy
Rev. John J. Gorski
Rev. William D. Karg
Rev. Joseph H. Kraker
Rev. David L. McCafferty
Rev. Paul J. Wysocki
Ordained June 8, 1974 (40 Years)
Rev. James H. Beatty
Rev. Arthur A. Snedeker
Rev. Robert E. Clancy
[caption id="attachment_7459" align="alignright" width="300"] Jubilarians Celebrating 40 Years[/caption]
Rev. John D. Terzano
Rev. Norman K. Douglas
Rev. Ronald J. Turek
Rev. Joseph T. Hilinski
Rev. Thomas L. Weber
Rev. Kevin M Liebhardt
Rev. Ralph E. Wiatrowski
Rev. John F. Loya
Rev. Lawrence N. Martello
Rev. William H. Severt
Rev. Stephen L. Shields
Rev. Michael B. Smith
[caption id="attachment_7461" align="alignright" width="300"] Jubilarians Celebrating 25 Years[/caption]
Ordained May 27, 1989 (25 Years)
Rev. Michael D. Ausperk
Rev. William R. Dickenson
Rev. Michael A. Matusz
Rev. Donald P. Oleksiak
Rev. Neil G. Walters
Rev. Robert W. Wisniewski