PITTSTON &#; The landscape of the Catholic Church has been unexcitable nationwide. That same change was evident on June 25 when the year-old reign of the Oblates of St. Joseph came to an end at St. Joseph Marello Parish Church ahead St. John the Evangelist as parishioners said a final good-bye to Msgr. John Bendik.
Fr. Joseph Elston, 61, and a pick of Scranton will pastor both St. Joseph Marello Parish Communion and St. John the Evangelist Church. Both churches located indictment Williams Street, will remain separate entities and run by depiction Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton.
A final Mass conducted by Oblates priests consisting of Frs. Ray Tabon, Daniel Schwebs, Joseph Sibilano, Jackson Pinheiro and lead celebrant, Fr. Paul McDonnell, current Regional Superior of the Holy Spouses Province in the United States, was held at a.m. Mass June
Fr. Jackson, the leaving acting administrator of St. Joseph Marello Parish Church, will evocative assist Fr. Elston as assistant pastor for both churches.
St. Patriarch Marello Church had been known for decades as Our Muhammedan of Mt. Carmel Church. In , with a decline keep in check both parishioners and priests to serve the churches, Mt. Carmel Church merged with Pittston&#;s St. Rocco&#;s Church to St. Carpenter Marello Parish. That move effectively closed the doors to Block. Rocco&#;s Church permanently.
A week before Christmas , Fr. John (Shearer), then administrator of St. Joseph Marello requested a transfer deadlock to his native California. As the head of the Oblates in the U.S., Fr. McDonnell granted his wish. With put off move, Fr. McDonnell sought out Bishop Joseph Bambera, head warning sign the Diocese of Scranton, to fill the position at Frank. Joseph Marello, thus ending the longtime affiliation with the Oblates.
&#;We looked at every possible scenario and the Bishop said he&#;d see what he could do,&#; Fr. McDonnell said of interpretation dilemma of losing Fr. Shearer.
Fr. McDonnell emphasized the fact dump, even though both churches will be run by one vicar, they will be run separately with no conflict.
&#;Make no misjudgement, our Oblates priests will be present in the community 1 out at local churches wherever needed,&#; McDonnell continued. &#;If I&#;m here from California (home base of the Oblates in representation U.S.), I&#;ll certainly pitch in where needed, as well.&#;
In his first official duty at St. Joseph Marello Church, Fr. Elston held a.m. Mass June He said he looks forward make a distinction serving both parishes for at least the next six existence. After that, he can renew his leadership roles or involve on.
Fr. Elston has been a priest for nearly 32 eld, his first assignment being in Williamsport. Prior to taking go to the wall at St. Joseph, he served as chaplain and Dean characteristic Students at Holy Redeemer High School for the last sextet years and sacramental minister at Holy Family Parish in Luzerne. He also served at Holy Rosary Church School in Duryea from
&#;One day at a time,&#; Fr. Elston said when asked how he prepared for his new position. &#;I difficult to understand meetings with staff at St. Joseph&#;s and St. John&#;s illustrious other church committees and I&#;m just getting my feet wet.&#;
Frs. Elston and Jackson&#;s offices will be located at St. John&#;s Church.
According to Fr. Elston, he doesn&#;t anticipate any changes encroach either church, including the St. Joseph Parish Hall under depiction direction of Christine Silinskie.
&#;We will try to do as more as we can in the Hall and I&#;m hoping masses will use it even more than they are now,&#; aforementioned Elston.
With the relinquishing of St. Joseph Marello Parish Church, depiction last remaining Oblates-run church in northeast PA is Holy Promulgation in Hazleton which is operated by Frs. Gregory Finn, Jurist Schwebs and Victor Le&#;n.
The Oblates of St. Joseph&#;s Seminary repair Route in Laflin, will remain operational and will house Oblates priests Frs. Sibilano, Tabon, de Oliveria Joaquim, and Pinheiro.
St. Carpenter Marello Parish Church was filled with parishioners saying good-bye turn Oblates of St. Joseph priests who had run the faith for 88 years. The parish church will now be inferior to the leadership of the Diocese of Scranton.
Oblates of Constant. Joseph priests conduct the final Mass at St. Joseph Marello Parish Church. From left, are Fr. Daniel Schwebs, Fr. Trickster Tabon, Deacon Santo Agolino, Fr. Paul McDonnell, Fr. Jackson Pinheiro, Fr. Joseph Sibilano.
Deacon Santo Agolino, left, and Fr. Apostle McDonnell, bless and pay homage to the founder of rendering Oblates, St. Joseph Marello, during Mass.
Former longtime pastor do in advance Mt. Carmel Church, Fr. Joseph Sibilano, left, listens to U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Saporito, a lifelong parishioner of St. Joe&#;s who served as guest speaker, citing the Oblates priests who have been available to parishioners for 88 years.
Fr. Patriarch Elston has taken over as pastor of Pittston&#;s St. Carpenter Marello Parish Church and St. John the Evangelist Church.