10 Priests Marking Their 50th Anniversaries

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Ten archdiocese priests are marking the 50th anniversary of their ordination this year. Cardinal Dolan celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving with the jubilarians at St. Patrick’s Cathedral May 15.

Cardinal Terence Cooke ordained eight of the jubilarians May 31, 1969. Father Edmundo Gomez and Father Erno Diaz were ordained in their native countries and were later incardinated into the archdiocese.

Auxiliary Bishop Dominick Lagonegro retired last year after serving as an auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese since 2001. He was episcopal vicar of Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Rockland counties, 2014-2018, and Northern Westchester/Putnam, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess counties, 2009-2014. He served as pastor of Sacred Heart, Newburgh, 2002-2009; St. Columba, Hopewell Junction, 1993-2002; and St. Denis-St. Columba, Hopewell Junction, 1989-1993. He was parochial vicar of Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie, 1980-1989; St. Joseph’s, Kingston, 1977-1980; and St. Vito’s, Mamaroneck, 1969-1977. He was named a monsignor in 1995.

Father Erno Diaz, who retired in 2015, was coordinator of the Filipino Apostolate in the archdiocese, 1995-2009, and was founding director of San Lorenzo Chapel in Manhattan. He served as administrator of Guardian Angel, Manhattan, 2014-2015; temporary administrator of St. Margaret Mary, Staten Island, 2010-2014; and parochial vicar of St. Peter’s Manhattan, 2000-2001; St. Gregory the Great, Manhattan, 1999-2000; Epiphany, Manhattan, 1996-1999; St. Joseph’s, Yorkville, Manhattan, 1978-1982; and Assumption, Tuckahoe, 1978. Ordained in his native Philippines, he was incardinated into the archdiocese in 1998.

Father John Duffell has served as administrator of Blessed Sacrament parish, Manhattan, since 2014. He served as pastor of Ascension, Manhattan, 1994-2012, and St. Peter’s, Yonkers, 1981-1994, with a sabbatical to study at North American College, Rome, 1990-1992. He was administrator of Our Lady of Rosary, Yonkers, 1992-1993, and parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament, Manhattan, 2012-2014; St. Patrick’s, Yorktown Heights, 1977-1981; and Sacred Heart of Jesus, Manhattan, 1967-1977.

Father Edmundo Gomez, who retired in 2014, was pastor of St. John Vianney parish, the Bronx, 2004-2008, and was parochial vicar of St. Helena’s, the Bronx, 1990-2004 and 2009-2014, and SS. Peter and Paul, the Bronx, 1981-1990. He was ordained in his native Colombia and was incardinated into the archdiocese in 1994.

Msgr. Patrick Keenan retired in 2014 after serving at St. Columbanus, Cortlandt Manor, as senior priest, 2009-2014, and pastor, 1987-2009. He was parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception, Stony Point, 1979-1987; St. Mary Mother of the Church, Fishkill, 1974-1979; and St. Ann’s, the Bronx, 1969-1970. He served as a U.S. Navy chaplain, 1970-1974. He was named a monsignor in 1995.

Father John Kraljic, who retired in 2015, was on the faculty of Cardinal Spellman High School, the Bronx, 1996-2015, and Cardinal Hayes High School, the Bronx, 1974-1996. He was parochial vicar of St. Benedict’s parish, the Bronx, 1996; St. Joseph, Bronxville, 1969-1971; and St. Joseph, Croton Falls, 1969. He served in the U.S. Navy, 1971-1974.

Father Paul LeBlanc has been administrator of St. Joan of Arc, the Bronx, since last year, and served there as pastor, 2001-2018. He was at St. Pius V, the Bronx, as pastor, 1984-1996; administrator, 1983-1984; and parochial vicar, 1976-1983. He was parochial vicar of St. Peter’s, Yonkers, 1972-1976, and Sacred Heart, Staten Island, 1969-1972. He worked in the Diocese of Yarmouth, Canada, 1996-2001.

Father Peter Madori has served as pastor of St. Joseph’s parish, Wurstboro, since 2000. He was on the faculty of John S. Burke Catholic High School, Goshen, 1999-2000, and was parochial vicar of St. Stephen, Warwick, 1976-1999; St. Roch, Staten Island, 1969-1976; and Sacred Heart, Putnam Lake, 1969.

Father Timothy Scannell has been administrator of Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Pompeii parish, Dobbs Ferry, since 2018, and was pastor there, 2015-2018. He served at Sacred Heart, Dobbs Ferry, as pastor, 2000-2015, and temporary administrator, 2000. He served as administrator of Our Lady of Pompeii, Dobbs Ferry, 2004-2015. He was parochial vicar of Visitation, the Bronx, 1998-2000; Immaculate Conception, Irvington, 1969-1977 and 1981-1997; Most Holy Trinity, Mamaroneck, 1977-1981; and St. James the Apostle, Carmel, 1969.

Father Arthur Welton, who retired last year, served as pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish, the Bronx, 1989-1998. He was parochial vicar of St. Philip Neri, the Bronx, 2009-2018; Visitation, the Bronx, 1989-1998; St. Frances of Rome, the Bronx, 1985-1989; Our Lady of Mercy, Port Chester, 1980-1985; Our Lady of Fatima, Scarsdale, 1978-1980; Our Lady of Solace, the Bronx, 1969-1978; and Immaculate Conception, Woodbourne, 1969.