By The Catholic Sun editorial team
Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright
Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville hosted a celebration of priesthood on June 3. In keeping with tradition, the annual diocesan Jubilee Mass for Priests was celebrated on the Monday following ordination. The two newest priests of the diocese, Fathers Benjamin Schrantz and Pawel Zmija were ordained June 1, and they were in attendance for the jubilee, having the privilege of vesting for Mass with attending priests celebrating milestone anniversaries from 25 to 70 years of service.
A number of other members of the clergy and guests were gathered and had the opportunity to enjoy the homily given by Father Cliff Auth, one of the newest jubilarians, celebrating 25 years of priesthood.
“I was nervous about preaching today, for many reasons,” Father Auth shared. “But primarily with all these great preachers in the sanctuary, I was just daunted.” Father talked about three very special people, brother priests, who helped shape his own ministry as he entered and experienced the priesthood: Monsignors Joseph Champlin, Eugene Yennock and John McGraw. He also spoke of attending a Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1978 where Pope John Paul II spoke at Mass to a large group of young people.
“He said to them, exercise your faith. And in that exercise of your faith, you will be a witness to this world.” Father added that “as we pray together, I think it’s important for us to pray for Ben and Pawel … but perhaps more importantly than that, that we pray for one another, that we be those prophetic witnesses that God’s people deserve.”
Priests celebrating jubilees this year are:
70 YEARS
Rev. P. Carl Pilla
Father Pilla’s actual anniversary of ordination was celebrated in February. His journey started in his senior year at Christian Brothers Academy and was solidified during a retreat at the school when, as he told us in an earlier interview, “I started to think differently about spirituality.”
A retired priest, Father grew up on the city’s Northside. He attended Our Lady of Pompei Church. Father’s career began after graduation from St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester. Father Pilla’s first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Anthony’s in Endicott. He went on to serve in the same capacity at St. Bartholomew’s in Norwich from 1956 to 1961, St. Anthony’s in Utica from 1961 to 1965 and Our Lady of Pompei in Syracuse from 1965 to 1968. In 1968, Father Pilla was appointed to St. Mary’s in Cleveland as pastor. He also served as pastor at St. Patrick’s in Jordan from 1974 to 1976 and then at St. Patrick’s in Truxton, where he retired in 1995.
Father Pilla also served as chaplain for the Utica Fire Department and moderator for the Norwich chapter of the National Council of Catholic Nurses.
Rev. Daniel W. Heintz
Father Heintz passed away on April 16 and would have celebrated his 70th anniversary of ordination.
65 YEARS
Rev. Thomas J. McGrath
Father McGrath also passed away this year, on March 22, and would have celebrated 65 years of priestly service.
Rev William Muench
Contrary to what author Thomas Wolfe once penned, you actually can go home again. Father William Muench is proof of that. The Syracuse-born priest is in retirement in the city after serving as a pastor, teacher, high school principal, college chaplain and seminary teacher in the Diocese of Ogdensburg over a 52-year active career. He also served as a missionary in Peru during that time.
“I am certain that my mother, Mary Muench, has something to do with my decision,” he told us in answer to a question of how his call got started. “Sadly, she died when I was only twelve years old – I am certain that she continued to guide me.”
Father has drawn inspiration from “many good priests and pastors,” especially mentioning Father George Whittaker. “I learned quickly what a dedicated pastor is.” In ministry he has been inspired to serve all, but has special hope for our youth. “I have always believed that our Catholic Church has so much to offer to young and old – I feel so badly about those who have left the Church – especially the young – we must work hard to reach out to them.”
Father wrote a weekly column — “Father Muench Says” — for the North Country Catholic, the Ogdensburg diocesan newspaper. In retirement, Father is currently assisting at Holy Family Parish in Fairmount.
60 YEARS
Rev. Raymond B. Wood
Father Raymond Wood was attending Syracuse Central High and taking religious education at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse with Fr. George Arseneau and Fr. Joseph Champlin, when he realized “that personal fulfillment for me was going to be reaching out to others, seeking nothing in return.”
His childhood parish was Holy Trinity Church in Syracuse, and he attributes the assistant pastor, Fr. Donald Bauer, as his inspiration to serve. He described Fr. Bauer as a “thoughtful, kind and compassionate priest.”
Before retiring in 2004, Fr. Wood served in many parishes. He was appointed associate pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish & Shrine in Oswego, Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville and St. Lucy’s in Syracuse. He served as pastor of St. James in Syracuse, St. Mary’s in Jamesville and St. Mary of the Lake in Skaneateles.
When asked what areas of ministry brought him the most joy, Fr. Wood said, “listening to people when they are seeking advice, sharing their concerns, supporting their grief, doing so without judgment, as would the Lord.” Also fulfilling was his three years of ministry as chaplain at the newly merged Crouse-Memorial Hospital from 1976 to 1979.
Rev. Thomas P. Kobuszewski
Rev. Thomas Kobuszewski began his priestly duties at St. Mary’s in New York Mills in 1964. For the next 60 years, Fr. Tom would serve parishes in Syracuse, Liverpool and at Transfiguration Church where he was pastor for 22 years until his retirement in 2021.
Father Tom said that he’s very happy he has lived long enough to serve his parishioners, especially after contracting COVID. “I’m very happy to be on this side of the grass,” he said.
Fr. Tom found much fulfillment working as a chaplain at the Syracuse Development Center. “Those 23 years went by so fast,” he said. “They were very full years and very uplifting. His advice for newly ordained priests is to keep reading. He reflected on the book, “Simply Priesthood” by Sean Connolly that offered a different perspective on being a priest. In his own ministry, he found joy, challenges, and moments of grace. “I have no regrets,” he said.
Rev. Donald H. Karlen
Father Donald Karlen had an inkling that he might become a priest while attending Boonville Central Elementary School. By high school, he was fully committed to his calling. His childhood pastor inspired him to serve as a priest “because he seemed to be doing so much good for people,” he said. Fr. Karlen and 14 other seminarians were ordained together; he remembers the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse packed with people, one of whom was Fr. Michael Carmola, a close friend then and now.
Fr. Karlen grew up as a parishioner of a rural parish, St. Joseph’s in Booneville. Over the years, he served as associate pastor and pastor in several parishes located in Rome, Boonville, Utica, Whitesboro, Vernon, Morrisville, Norwich, New Berlin and Forestport/Otter Lake. He taught at Rome Catholic High School and later became the assistant principal, then principal. “I’m a teacher by nature,” he said when asked which ministry brought him the most joy – he attended Catholic University where he earned his Master of Arts in Education.
Another great joy was saying Mass for people who worked for traveling carnivals.
Fr. Karlen retired from active parish ministry on July 1, 2009, but has remained active leading retreats and other related roles.
Rev. Laurence J. Lord
(Updated 6/13) Rev. Laurence Lord attended St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester.. He received special training as a high school guidance counselor, holds several certificates in Critical Incident Stress Management as well as certification as a Police Chaplain.
He began his priestly ministry in 1964 as parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Church in Syracuse and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Liverpool. Father Lord joined the faculty of Catholic Central High School in Binghamton in 1969 (later Seton Catholic in 1975). He served congregations in Baldwinsville, acted as chaplain at Lourdes Camp, Binghamton Police and Lourdes Hospital before being named pastor at Binghamton parishes: St Malachy in 1987, St Catherine in 1988 and St. Patrick in 1999. He retired in 2008.
When looking back at his 60 years of ministry, Father Lord said that on a day-to-day basis, there were ups and downs, but at other times, much happiness. Some of his most rewarding years as a priest was serving at Lourdes Hospital and as Chaplain for the Binghamton Police Department.
His advice for newly ordained priests – “You are a human being first. And, you have to grow in sanctity, and that takes time.”
Rev. Michael J. Carmola
A native son of St. Joseph’s Church in Oneida, Father Carmola had an early influence on his vocation. “I had a wonderful pastor who was an example,” he shared. “He had frozen his legs on a sick call back in 1912, and he was always on crutches. He was just a wonderful model of St. Joseph. And I just admired him.”
Father studied for the priesthood at St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s Seminaries in Rochester leading to his ordination in 1964. His service to the diocese has touched on several different ministries. Father Carmola was assigned as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist in Syracuse and then as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Utica. From 1974 to 1977, he served as chaplain at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse before assuming the position of co-director of Vocations and Aquinas House. From 1981 to 1985, he was pastor of Christ the King in Liverpool and then became director of the diocesan priest personnel office. In 1992, he was named pastor of Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville before taking over the leadership role at Christ the King Retreat House in 1994.
Among his fondest memories of service were as retreat house director and as a hospital chaplain. “Chaplaincy work is a whole other world, it was wonderful. We had the whole hospital work together … was a great team.” From his 50th jubilee celebration he shared “I’m deeply grateful for having been called. I’ve received much more than I’ve given.”
50 YEARS
Rev. James M. Cesta
Father James Cesta knew as early as age 10 that he wanted to become a priest. His parents Carmen and Maryann Cesta’s Catholic example inspired him to serve God, as well as Fr. Charles Borgognoni and Fr. A. Robert Casey, who served at Our Lady of Pompei Church in Syracuse and St. James in Cazenovia, respectively.
Since 1974, Fr. Cesta has served in several locations throughout the Diocese as both associate pastor and pastor. He was appointed to St. John the Baptist Church in Rome, Holy Family Church in Fairmount, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott and St. Joseph’s Church in Oswego, to name a few.
Father is the pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel-Blessed Sacrament Church, Utica and St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church, Utica. He enjoys several areas of ministry including sacramental celebrations, weddings, funerals and baptisms, offering helpful weekend homilies and involvement with many families.
“Church means the people and the priests together, more than just the structures and the places where we gather,” he says, “and weaving through it all, a good dose of humor is helpful.”
Rev. John A. Buehler
Rev. John Buehler attended Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, NY, The Seminary of Our Lady of Angels in Albany and Christ the King in Buffalo. He began his priestly duties at St. Matthew’s Parish in East Syracuse in 1974. Fr. Buehler also served at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Vestal and St. Therese Parish in Syracuse. He became the Director of Pastoral Care at Loretto Geriatric Center in 1989 where he served for 4 years. Father Buehler was pastor at St. John’s Parish in Utica and St. Francis de Sales before retiring in 2019.
Father Buehler wanted to be a teacher, but his desire to be a preacher was always in his heart. Before attending Wadhams Hall Seminary, he spent a year at Niagara University where he said the faculty took him under their wing and helped him realize his strong calling to the priesthood. “My calling came to me when I was a freshman in college. It was then that I really looked at my life more seriously. I looked at where I was headed and what I wanted and I knew I had to go after my dream of being a priest,” he said.
When asked where he found his inspiration to serve his parishioners, Father Buehler said his inspiration came from the people. “They were a great source of strength and wisdom.” Father Buehler feels strongly that we, as Christians, need to take care of our senior citizens. He found much fulfillment in his service at Loretto and continues to minister to people in nursing homes and those homebound. “It is all about how we treat people. I love how Pope Francis inspires us to be open to all people. That’s the way Christ was.”
Rev. Frederick D. Daley
Father Fred Daley’s first serious moment considering priesthood happened as an eighth-grade student at Holy Family School in Fairmount. Sister Helen Lucielle, OSF, one day pulled him aside and asked him if he ever thought of becoming a priest. He told her yes. “It was very impactful because, in my heart, it was like, if Sister thinks I can be a priest, maybe it’s something I could be – so she gave me that seed. I can remember coming home and telling my twin brother what she had said and we both had a big laugh,” he recalled. “The rest is history.”
Fr. Daley was ordained with 13 other classmates at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. His most vivid memory of Ordination Day was during the first blessings, “of praying God’s blessing upon my parents and family and people four times older than I was at that time. I just had a sense of humility,” he said. “Wow, how Jesus is using me to serve.”
The current pastor of All Saints Church in Syracuse, Fr. Daley has served in several parishes in the Diocese, including St. Agnes Church, Blessed Sacrament Church and St. Francis DeSales Church in the Utica-area. Special assignments involved serving the eastern vicariate in 1979 as Regional Vicar for Parish Life and Worship, as Diocesan Director of Vocations at the Chancery in the 1980s and most recently as a Presbyteral Council Member from 2017-19.
40 YEARS
Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti
Msgr. Rossetti is a native of Marcellus, attending St. Francis Xavier Church. His path to priestly service was unique. He was accepted into the Unites States Air Force Academy after high school, earning an undergrad degree in political science and soon after a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh.
“While I was in the Air Force, I slowly came to believe that I was called to a religious vocation of some sort and eventually it became focused on diocesan priesthood,” he told the Sun. “A special turning point was when I was contemplating what I should do after I left the Air Force. “I don’t know what I should do but I know that God is a lot smarter than I am. So, I decided to turn the decision over to the Lord and let Him guide me. As they say, The rest is history.”
The history included post-1984 ordination appointments in the Broome County area, at St. Patrick’s and St. James. In 1989 he was released from the diocese to start work in 1990 in the greater Washington D.C. area, first for St Luke Institute where he was named president in 1997. He joined the faculty of Catholic University in 2010. He holds a doctorate in ministry from Catholic University, a Master’s and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Boston College and is the president and founder of St. Michael’s Center for Spiritual Renewal. A licensed psychologist, Msgr. is also the chief exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington. He trains exorcists and lay team members and leads exorcism and deliverance sessions.
It is important work that he dedicates himself to. “I find it a joy to serve the Lord and to help other people,” he said. “I find a closeness to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, to be a great privilege. “ He added that “being a small part and a vessel of God’s healing graces has been a great gift for me. I am grateful to the Diocese of Syracuse and its bishops for their fatherly care and support for me these many years.”
25 YEARS
Rev. Clifford H. Auth
Father Auth celebrated with his St. Mary’s and St. Augustine, Baldwinsville parishioners last weekend, saying good-bye as he moves on to a new assignment in July as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville and St. Ann’s in Manlius where he served previously as pastor from 2010 to 2017.
A 1988 graduate of Solvay High School, Father studied at LeMoyne College and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. Ordained in 1999, he obtained his Licentiate of Canon Law degree in 2005 from Catholic University.
Remarking on his 25th anniversary he said that he “has been humbled to serve with remarkable priests and bishops” during his 25 years, and that he has “learned so much from them and from the people of the parishes” where he has served since ordination. Those also include his first assignment as parochial Vicar at St. James in Johnson City and an earlier assignment as weekend assistant at St. Mary’s and St Augustine, helping out there while serving for five years as Chancellor and Vicar for Administration in the diocesan Chancery.
He said a special grace of priesthood was “the opportunity to be with people in times of great joy and great sorrow.”
Rev. Eduardo C. Pesigan III
Father Eduardo Pesigan III earned a B.A. in Philosophy and a STB (Bachelor in Sacred Theology) degree at Holy Rosary Major Seminary in Naga City, Philippines. Ordained in 1999, his early ministries were in Cam Sur and the City of Iriga in the Philippines. He arrived in the United States in 2016 to serve as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter’s Church and Holy Cross Parish in Plattsburgh, NY. In 2021, he returned to Naga City to serve as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Metropolitan Cathedral. He returned in 2022, serving as parochial vicar at Historic Old St. John Church, St. Anthony-St. Agnes, St. Joseph-St. Patrick, St. Mark, and St. Peter in Utica. Father Pesigan finds much happiness serving the people of God and doing His will. When asked what challenges he has faces as a priest, Fr. Pesigan said, “I believe the grace of God is always working, so I don’t see any challenges.”
