LAFLIN — Bishop Joseph C. Bambera served as celebrant at St. Maria Goretti Church’s liturgical celebration Sept. 16, marking the parish’s 50th anniversary.
The parish’s humble beginnings took place under the leadership of the late Bishop J. Carrol McCormick on Sept. 17, 1967. Msgr. Philip Gray, St. Maria Goretti’s fourth pastor, served as the construction of the church at its present location at 42 Redwood Dr. took place.
Then Auxiliary Bishop James C. Timlin officiated as the cornerstone was laid, along with a solemn blessing of the church.
Today, the church boasts a membership of approximately 850 families, has a modern look with large wooden beams incorporated in the ceiling, a banquet hall attached for church or social events and a grotto to the right of the entrance.
Rev. Paul McDonnell, the Oblates of St. Joseph (OSJ) Provincial Superior of the Holy Spouses Province in the United States and a native of West Pittston, was on hand to help mark the occasion. Fr. McDonnell represented the OSJ, along with fellow priests Frs. Joseph Sibilano and Ray Tabon.
The Oblates played a key role when St. Maria Goretti was created.
“When Bishop McCormick decided to create a parish community in Laflin, he asked the Oblates of St. Joseph if they could house the new pastor and to use the chapel for Sunday worship and classrooms for CCD,” Fr. McDonnell said. “So for the first eight years, the Oblates of St. Joseph housed the parish community until the present church was built.”
“I look at this parish community here that’s existed for 50 years and it’s existed and continues to thrive, not because it’s kept a beautiful shell of a building around it, but because it’s taken that word of God, lived it, passed it out to those who have come in to the experience of this parish community, passed that word in gesture, in words, in service, in love, in care,” expressed Bishop Bambera.
The Mass included participation of a full choir, six altar servers and members of the community parish.
Among the participating priests was former pastor Rev. James Paisley, whose presence delighted many longer-time parishioners.
Rev. James Walsh, current pastor, assisted Bishop Bambera, as did Deacon Michael Imbrogno, MD.
“The parishioners are very dedicated and very positive about the future,” said Fr. Walsh said, who also expressed his delight with the anniversary service.
