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Located in the southwest
stairwell of St. Martin of Tours Church, the Hall of Pastors honors the ten
pastorates (including the current pastorate) that the Church has had since
being built in the 1940's. The parishioners of St. Martin of Tours offer
our thanks and praise to Almighty God for sending his priests to lead us
and guide us. And our thanks go out to our priests who have answered the
call of the Most High and have come to our town to give of themselves and
call us to a closer walk with our Creator.
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Fr. Patrick
McCormick, 1940-1946
Father McCormick was a
native of Olyphant, PA. He was originally ordained for service in the
Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD. Father McCormick had a special talent for
starting new parishes. Before coming to the Diocese of Scranton in 1938, he
had founded two parishes in South Dakota.
After breaking ground in
September 1940, Father McCormick saw construction on St. Martins of Tours
Church completed in June 1941.
Father Mc Cormick left
St. Martin of Tours Church in April 24, 1946 to carry on his priestly work
at St. David Church in Scranton, PA.
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Fr. John F.
Zahornacky, 1946-1958
Rev. John F.
Zahornacky's youth and spiritual vitality were felt throughout the parish
as he devoted himself entirely to the service of Christ and his flock. One
of Rev. Zahornacky's initial projects was the erection of the outdoor
shrine in honor of our Blessed Mother. This touch of beauty seemed to bring
peace and serenity to all the area it surveyed. Father also established the
Legion of Mary, the Holy Name Society and the Christian Mothers.
After twelve years at
St. Martin of Tour's Church, Bishop Hannon appointed Rev. Zahornacky on
October 16, 1958 to the pastorate of St. Joseph Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
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Fr. Edward V.
Sokolowsky, 1958-1967
Father Sokolowsky gifts
provided him with a close relationship to his parishioners and the talents
to materially improve both St. Paul's and St. Martin of Tours' Churches.
Both Churches were landscaped with perpetual shrubs. At St. Martin's, the
parking area was expanded, aluminum siding was added to the building, a
modern kitchen and a new heating system were installed, and many other enhancements
were made to the interior and exterior. At St. Paul's church, the sanctuary
was redecorated with new carpeting, the confessionals were remodeled, rest rooms
were added, and a significant number of other interior and exterior
enhancements were made.
Father Sokolowsky
oversaw significant spiritual growth within the parish. He also was privileged
to oversee the Silver Anniversary of St. Martin of Tours. The Most Reverend
J. Carroll McCormick, D.D., Bishop of Scranton, celebrated the glorious
Mass of Thanksgiving on June 28, 1966.
Father Sokolowsky left
St. Martin of Tours' and St. Paul's churches in 1967 and was appointed to
St. Mary of Czectochowa in Swoyersville, PA.
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Fr. John C.
Szumski, 1967-1972
During Father Szumski's
pastorate, the parish merited diocesan recognition by its tremendous
response to the diocesan campaign, Project Expansion.
In the spirit of Vatican
II, Father Szumski held the first World Day of Prayer at St. Paul's Church.
Father worked tirelessly to implement the requirements of Vatican II, and
our parish was proud to be one of the first to participate fully in the
revised liturgy.
Father Szumski endeared
himself to people of all faiths, and was frequently called upon as a guest
speaker for ecumenical gatherings in the area.
Father Szumski was
chosen by Bishop McCormick to become pastor of St. Stanislaus in Old Forge
on June 26, 1972.
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Fr. Louis S.
Garbacik, 1972-1977
Father Garbacik's first
Sunday saw the publication of the Sounds of St. Martin's and St. Paul's
(also known as "Padre's Press"). This ongoing publication was an
informative bulletin that revealed his concerns for the spiritual welfare
of his people. The tract was received and highly praised for its keen
insight and highly praised for his keen insight into parish happenings. He
favored serious thoughts with delightful wit and humor.
Father Garbacik endeared
himself to his altar boys when he took them on "special fishing
trips," to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for his cool
drinks and delicious pizza on hot summer days, and to his parishioners for
the mouth watering doughnuts on sale after weekend Masses.
We thank Father Garbacik
when we hear the beautiful sound of the Carillon Bells ringing throughout
the countryside. The bells were dedicated at St. Martin of Tours Church on
March 28, 1976, and at St. Paul's Church on July 18, 1976. They remain a
joyful reminder of God's protection as we gather to exalt the Lord and to
Praise His Holy Name.
After six years with us,
Father Garbacik was appointed as Director of St. Stanislaus's Medical Care
Center and as pastor of the Church of the Holy Child, both in Nanticoke,
PA.
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Fr. Edward L.
Fundalewicz, 1977-1980
On Father Fundalewicz' first Sunday as
pastor of St. Martin of Tours Church and St. Paul's Church, he asked God to
grant him the ability to fulfill his priestly ministry by guiding widely
the people entrusted to his care and to grant that the shepard have a
faithful people -- and the people a loving shepard.
Father Fundalewicz improved the material
comforts of our parishioners by paving the muddy lots that had been used as
parking areas, installed a new furnace at St. Pauls' Church, and designed
new signs so that people were made aware of the mass schedules at St.
Martin of Tours Church and St. Paul's Church. This latter improvement was
greatly appreciated by the many visitors to the area.
Father Fundalewicz organized the parish
“prayer group”. During the Lenten season, Stations of the Cross were held
following the Sunday masses so that more parishioners were able to
participate.
In 1990, Father returned to St. Martins to
review the construction that was underway and donated the beautiful marble
altar for which the parishioners are truly grateful.
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Fr. Joseph F.
Meighan, 1980-1984
Father Meighan left the
parish community richer in spiritual values and brought us closer to
Almighty God. Father instituted many practices, including The Living
Stations that added so much visual beauty during the Lenten Season.
Father Meighan left to
accept the pastorate of St. Boniface in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
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Fr. Frank P.
Corcoran, 1984-1987
"Don't let anyone
tell you that the life of a 'country pastor' is dull and unexciting.
Whenever Father hears 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', there is no doubt that
he recalls the telephone ringing at 3:00 a.m. (during the worst electrical
storm the area experienced in years) to be informed that the Carillon Bells
at St. Paul's Church had been playing Christmas Hymns for hours. Father
braved the elements and drove the seven miles to St. Pails to silence the
bells that had been set in motion by the storm.
Father Corcoran will
long be remembered for his sympathetic ear and calm fatherly advice. He
attended to the pastoral and administrative needs of the parish with
kindness and concern.
Father Corcoran left a grateful
parish to assume his duties as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in
Montoursville, PA.
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Fr. Thomas A.
Cappelloni, 1987-2001
Father Cappelloni
arrived at St. Martin's within days of the Labor Day Picnic -- the largest
fundraiser for the parish. This was immediately followed by the need to
replace the 70-year old septic system in the rectory. And such was his
experience as a country pastor for the next 13 years.
Father Cappelloni's
pastorate became the longest tenure of any pastor at St. Martin's and
during this time he tackled numerous projects. The most visible of the
capital projects was the renovation of St. Martins Church building to
include additional seating for mass and additional space in the hall down
stairs for religious education and social events. The mural of the white
pelican on the ceiling over the altar, along with the other stencils
throughout the building are also representative of the numerous
enhancements initiated by Father. The Memorial to the Unborn Children and
the Jubilariam are two of the visible landmarks erected during Fr.
Cappelloni's pastorate that inspire those who walk the grounds of St.
Martins. Father's attention to detail shows in every corner of the
buildings and property.
The spiritual needs of
the church were met in many ways, including special masses on Memorial Day
at St. Paul's cemetery and special masses of gratitude on Thanksgiving Day.
The Perpetual Novena to St. Peregrine, the Patron St. of those with cancer
and other serious diseases, was instituted by Fr. Cappelloni at the time he
was diagnosed with a large mass on his kidney. This shrine has become a
beacon for those from miles around who send the names of their suffering
loved ones to be remembered during the Tuesday morning novena. And before
discussions on any large undertaking, Father Cappelloni preceded the
discussion with a Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the
recitation of the Rosary.
After over 13 years of
service, Father Cappelloni was appointed by James C. Timlin as pastor,
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Scranton, PA, on July __, 2001.
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Fr. John
O'Bell, 2001-3006
Father John O'Bell is
the tenth and most recent pastor that St. Martins has been blessed with.
Inheriting a church where most of the building needs have been attended to,
Father O'Bell has focused much of his attention on the spiritual needs of
the flock. Father has introduced and re-instituted many inspirational,
organizational and administrative activities.
The religious education
program, has been rejuvenated with two co-Directors of Religious Education,
and extensions and enhancements that include a new RCIA program, many
improvements in the children's program, youth masses coordinated with religious
education events, and other changes to numerous too mention. The Christian
Women's Society, originally established during Father John Zahornacky's
tenure nearly fifty years earlier as the Christian Mothers of St. Martin of
Tours and St. Paul's Churches, was revitalized under Father O'Bell and is
currently active.
During the Lenten
Season, Father brings us together on Wednesday evenings for Soup and
Scripture; a time where we share homemade soups and breads and study the
word of God. Movie night, a special occasion that takes place on the second
or third Saturday of every month, is a special time when the young and old
gather to watch movie and share popcorn in our hall. Father continues many
of the traditions that have been important to our parish, including the
Perpetual Novena to St. Peregrine, Stations of the Cross during the Lenten
Season, and many others.
Father O'Bell also
led the effort to replace thr front porch of the parish with a built in vestibule
where people can gather inside to talk while respecting the reverential silence
of the sanctuary.
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Fr. Kenneth M. Seegar, 2006-Present
Father Kenneth M. Seegar is
the eleventh and most recent pastor that St. Martins has been blessed with.
We will write more about Fr. Seegar as he settles in at our parish.
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Eucharist
This carving in the
Pastors hall is the Eucharist which is the central purpose of the life of a
priest, namely to offer the sacrifice of Calvary according to the mandate
of Christ, "do this in memory of Me."
This carved wooden sculpture was donated by the late Msgr. Gerald Burns.
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Dedication I
The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Martin E. Kilcullen, M.A.
Born: November 11, 1898
Ordained to Sacred Orders: May 30, 1931
Died: May 28, 1973
Martin E. Kilcullen was the sixth of nine children born to William and Mary
Kilcullen on the South Side of the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania on the
elevnth of November 1898. Following a strong Catholic traditionhe was
named after the patron saint of that day, St. Martin of Tours.
After a short career in the military, he entered St. Bonaventure's Seminary,
Olean New York, to study for the priesthood under the care of the Franciscan
Fathers. On May thirtieth, 1930 he was ordained for the pristhood in the
Diocese of Scranton, in St. Peter's Cathedral, by The Most Rev. Thomas C.
O'Rielly, D.D., then Ordinary of the Diocese of Scranton.
After years of distinguished service as curate, Director of the Propigation
of the Faith, and Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, North Scranton, he was named
A Domestic Prelate to His Holiness Pope John XXIII, with the title of Rt.
Rev. Monsignor.
Monsignor Kilcullen was the first cousin of Fr. Patrick McCormick, founding
pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish. Fr. Mc Cormick was originally ordained
for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Having a great desire to be
closer to his family and home, he requested that his cousin Fr. Kilcullen
intercede for him with Bishop William J. Hafey D.D., then Bishop of Scranton,
to incardinate Fr. Mc Cormick into the Diocese of Scranton. The process
of transferral was almost never done at this time. Through the good offices
of Fr. Kilcullen, Bishop Hafey acceded to his request and in 1938, Fr. Mc
Cormick was incardinated into the Diocese of Scranton, and assigned as the
assistant pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
It was at this time that Bishop Hafey decided to erect a new parish in Jackson, Pennsylvania. Since Fr. Mc Cormick founded several parishes while serving in
South Dakota, Bishop Hafey chose him for the task at hand. It was the policy
of Bishop Haley to allow a founding pastor to choose the patron of the
parish. To show his gratitude to his cousinfor securing him assignment in
the Diocese of Scranton, he chose Fr. Kilcullen's patron saint, Martin of
Tours. Thus did St. Martin's parish receive its name.
Msgr. Kilcullen's influence at St. Martin of Tour would continue in that he was also
uncle to the ninth pastor of the parish, The Very Rev. Thomas A. Cappeloni, V.F.
O God, grant that Your servent Martin, whon You raised to priestly dignity
in the priesthood of the apostles, may now be admitted into their company
forever. We ask you this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Prayer for
Priests
 
Almighty Eternal God, look upon the face of Thy Son, and
for love of Him who is the eternal high-priest, have pity
on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that
they are but weak and frail beings. Stir up in them the
grace of their vocation which is in them by imposition of
the Bishop's hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest teh enemy
prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in
the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.
O Jesus, I pray Thee for Thy faithful and fervent priests;
for Thy unfaithful and tepid priests; for Thy priests laboring at
home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Thy tempted
priests; for Thy lonely and desolate priests; for Thy young
priests; for Thy dying priests; for the souls of Thy priests
in purgatory.
But above all I commend to Thee the priests dearest to
me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who have absolved
me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and
who have given me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the
priests who have taught and instructed me or helped me and
encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any
other way particularly . . . . . . O Jesus, keep them all close
to Thy heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen.
Most Rev. Richard J. Cushing, D.D.
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Source for
Additional Information
An excellent source of information on the history of St.
Martin of Tours Church can be obtained from Golden Jubilee, St. Martin
of Tours, Roman Catholic Parish, 1940-1990, published by St. Martin of
Tours Jubilee History Committee, Taylor Publishing, 1991.
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