Skip to Navigation

Bishop THOMAS Visits St. Michael's in Monessen, PA

St. Michael Day 2008 Fr. Fred Pfeil of St. Michael's writes:

We were blessed to have our father in Christ, Bishop THOMAS, with us for our patronal feast of St. Michael the Archangel this year, November 8-9. We began the festivities with Great Vespers on Saturday evening, followed by a dinner at Rego’s Italian Restaurant in Charleroi, directly across the river from Monessen. The Parish Council with spouses, the Ladies’ Society officers, our Choir Director and Sunday School teachers shared the meal with His Grace and Fr. Fred.

Sunday morning began with Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Deacon Glenn McIntyre of St. Ellien, Brownsville and Subdeacon James Purdy of St. George Cathedral Oakland, served with us. We sang the Trisagion Prayers for the Departed for the V. Rev. Archimandrite John Namie and Beverly Elias.

The weekend ended with a St. Michael parish tradition – our covered dish dinner and program. Mr. John Karnack, Council president presided and Mr. George Essey served as our Master of Ceremonies. After Mr. Karnack made introductions and welcomed Bishop THOMAS, Mr. Essey gave a moving presentation of Beverly Elias’ life and contributions to the parish. The Sunday School children each gave a short statement about the Archangel Michael, then presented Bishop THOMAS with a prayer rope. The program ended with many parishioners making donations for the good of the parish and His Grace offering the benediction and his blessing to us all.

Bp. THOMAS receives a prayer rope from the Sunday School, presented by Syba Ismail as Council President John Karnack and Fr. Fred Pfeil look on.