First Posted: 3/18/2012
Reverend Joseph M. Brozena, Pastor Emeritus of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Old Forge and resident of Old Forge, age 79, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2012. Born February 8, 1933 in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Joseph M. and Phoebe Matelski Brozena. He received his early education at St. Mary’s Nativity grade school. He graduated from St. Vincent’s High School, Plymouth and pursued preparatory studies for the priesthood at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., and graduated from Christ the King Seminary, Olean, N.Y.
He was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1958, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton. He celebrated his first mass in his home parish, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Plymouth, on June 1, 1958. Father Brozena served as assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Church, Milford, Pa.; Immaculate Conception Church, West Pittston; Ss .Peter & Paul Church, Scranton; St. Mary’s Church, Mocanaqua; Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Wilkes-Barre; Holy Trinity Church, Nanticoke; and St. Michael the Archangel Church, Old Forge. While serving as assistant pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church, he received his first and only pastorate position on September 3, 1974, where he faithfully served his people for 35 years.
On July 9, 2008, he was appointed Pastor Emeritus of St. Michael the Archangel Church. His first task as the new pastor was instating a perpetual care program and paving the roads at the Parish Cemetery. Along with the Diocese of Scranton, he was an instrumental part of establishing Holy Cross Cemetery. He also oversaw the St. Michael the Archangel Shrine erected at the cemetery, as a tribute to the parishioners of his Parish. During his tenure many improvements were made to the parish.
In 1978, a new rectory was built. He renovated the Parish twice, installed new pews, a new organ, a modern electronic bell system and an air conditioning system that was donated by the Holy Name Society, was installed. Also, a Candle Chapel was built adjoining the church with the grotto along the grounds of the church. A new sacristy was built, the side entrance of the Church was renovated and a handicapped accessible ramp was added. Also, the front entrance to the church was enhanced with the installation of a canopy enclosure over the stairs. Father Brozena also established a war memorial honoring the Veterans from the Parish. Father Brozena will always be remembered for his devotion to the beautiful Polish customs, traditions and especially Polish Hymns.
In addition to his parents, Father was preceded in death by his brother, who passed away in 1995, Father Clement Brozena, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, who also served as an assistant Pastor at St. Michael the Archangel of Old Forge.
Father is survived by cousins, Albert Romanick and his wife, Helen; Joseph Romanick and his wife, Mary; Nancy Heffers and her husband, Jim; and Robert McDonough and his wife, Holly; and caregivers, Stanley and Marion Viercinski, with whom he resided for four years after his retirement.
A Vigil Mass was celebrated at Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Scranton with the Reverend Samuel J. Ferretti, Dean, presiding. A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Thursday, March 15 in Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Scranton.
Interment was in Saint Mary’s Nativity Cemetery, Plymouth Township. Funeral arrangements were by the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530West Main Street, Plymouth. Please visit www.sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.com to submit online condolences to Father Brozena’s family.
