Ann M. Nickum, 92, of Estero, FL passed away Friday, September 27, 2019 at Life Care Center of Estero. A lifelong resident of New Castle, PA she had been a resident of Estero for the past two years. Ann was born August 9, 1927 in New Castle, PA a daughter of the late Gabriel and Josephine (Carvella) Zingaro.

Dolores M. Callahan, 94, formerly of New Castle, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at 9:15 a.m. at her residence in Chesapeake, Virginia on Sept. 11, 2019. Miss Callahan was born July 19, 1925, in New Castle, a daughter of the late Edward V. and Margaret C. Cosgrove Callahan.

Dorothy Jean Boron, 94, passed peacefully on Oct. 12, 2019, in her home at Jameson Place, with her family by her side. Dorothy was born in New Castle on June 24, 1925 to the late John and Mildred Young.

Pauline A. Comas, 97, of New Castle passed away the afternoon of October 13, 2019 at Edison Manor. Born on July 10, 1922 in New Castle she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Anderana Farbo. On August 1, 1959 she married her beloved husband, Henry F. Comas who preceded her in death on November 28, 1993.

Please keep in your prayers all of those who received the sacrament of anointing at a special Mass this Saturday morning. May this powerful sacrament they have received give them strength of mind, body and soul. Congratulations to our young people who received the sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Zubik this weekend. We pray that this sacrament will truly strengthen our young people to be more committed than ever to, Christ Jesus.

Mary A. Pagliaro, 93, of West Pittsburg, PA passed away the evening of October 10, 2019 at Quality Life Services of New Castle. Born in New Castle on February 5, 1926, Mary was the daughter of the late Charles and Nancy Isabelle Cappatt. Preceding her in death on February 15, 2011 was her husband, Anthony H. Pagliaro, whom she married on June 12, 1948.

James E. Cardella Jr., 52, of 217 E. Cherry St., New Castle, (Mahoningtown), passed away the evening of Oct. 9, 2019, at his residence. James was born on Sept. 12, 1967, in New Castle. He was a son of the late Alice J. Fleeger Cardella; she preceded him in death on July 20, 2011. His father, James E. Cardella Sr., survives at home.

Vincent Anthony Matteo, 27, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at his home in Greensburg. He was born December 5, 1991 in New Castle, a son of the late Jay Adam Matteo and Valerie (Lelii) Matteo, his mother survives in Pittsburgh.

James D. Karr, 72, of New Castle, passed away the morning of October 8, 2019 at UPMC Jameson Hospital. Born July 27, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of Clarence and Arlene (Krohn) Karr who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathleen L. (Zarder) Karr, whom he married September 10, 1977.

Ann M. Exposito, 101, of Edinburg passed away the evening of October 7, 2019 at her residence. Born on June 5, 1918 in Edinburg, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Peter and Carmella Minutillo Tommasone.

We know that the word “eucharist” means thanksgiving. But sometimes, we forget how important giving thanks to God truly is. The Gospel, this weekend, reminds us to recognize our blessings and to give thanks. It always amazes me the attitude of some in our community who are so negative and are filled with doom and gloom! They remind me of the characters on the old television show, Hee Haw. You know who I am talking about? The fellows who would lay on the floor and sing their song lyrics “Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep, dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me!”

Jean Ann Paglia, 73, of Bristol Lane, Neshannock Township, died Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. She was born November 20, 1945 in New Castle, the daughter of the late James and Audrey (McAllen) Pauline. She was married to Lucian A. Paglia on June 1, 1968, he survives in New Castle.

Billie Jean Cioffi, 67, of New Castle passed away the morning of October 2, 2019 at her residence. She was born on July 3, 1952 in New Castle, the daughter of Raymond and Florence Jacobs Moore. She was preceded in death by her father and her mother survives and resides in New Castle. Billie Jean is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Cioffi and he survives at home.

Rose Verhosek was a passionate, spunky, God fearing and family loving woman, who made her mark on this world for 99 years. Born on Oct. 19, 1919, she left only 21 days shy of turning 100. Although she would make certain you knew she was not a "hillbilly," her Kentucky roots gave her the ability to cook some amazing southern dishes that would provide comfort to anyone she fed. And Rose certainly fed the mouths and hearts of many.

Please keep our 76 confirmands in your prayers as they will be confirmed by Bishop Zubik on October 20 at 2:00 pm at St. Vitus. My sincere gratitude to all of the parents and catechists for helping our young people prepare for this important sacrament.

Janet Ann Nielsen, 81, of New Castle passed away peacefully Friday evening, September 27, 2019, in UPMC Jameson Hospital. Ms. Nielsen was born January 28, 1938, in New Castle, a daughter of Maurice and Mildred (Conn) Nielsen. A lifelong area resident, she graduated from New Castle High School in 1956.

Josephine M. “Jo” Burris, 84, a longtime resident of New Castle, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 25, 2019, in Oakwood Heights Presbyterian Senior Care Center, Oil City, PA. Mrs. Burris was born November 12, 1934, in The Bronx, New York City, to the late James and Johanna (Dalton) Sullivan.

Marguerite P. Rooney, 86, of Wampum passed away peacefully Thursday evening, September 19, 2019, in her residence. Mrs. Rooney was born September 30, 1932, in Wampum, a daughter of the late Bernard and Marie (McGuire) Maher. She was a 1950 graduate of the former Wampum High School.

This week Father Anthony, Father Brendan and myself are with other priests of the Diocese at the multi-day convocation in Oglebay, West Virginia. Our gratitude to Father Nick, Father Molka and our Deacons, John and Dan, for holding down the fort in our absence. Please keep all of clergy of the diocese in your prayers in a special way during this week.

Patricia Graham Dunkerley, 78, of Canfield, Ohio, died the morning of September 19, 2019 in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Born September 12, 1941 in New Castle, she was the daughter of J. Russell and Lucy (Nych) Graham. Patricia married her beloved husband and devoted caregiver, George O. Dunkerley, on November 27, 1965. She often said she would never have made it this last year without him by her side.