Renovo’s Saint Joseph’s Church Losing Priest

RENOVO — Longtime Renovo landmark Saint Joseph’s Church is in transition. Parishoners were recently made aware that Father Donald Dusza is being transferred to Cambria County, his last Mass on June 25. The church will now be sharing Lock Haven’s priest, Father Joseph Orr.

An Altoona-Johnstown Diocese spokesman confirmed the changes and provided this information:
“Bishop Mark Bartchak has appointed Father Joseph Orr as Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish in Renovo effective June 28. Father Orr will continue as Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Lock Haven and will continue to reside there. Saint Joseph Parish will not be a mission church. It will continue to be a parish, but it will share a priest with Holy Spirit Parish.

“The sacramental life of Saint Joseph Parish will continue. It is Father Orr’s intention to celebrate Mass at Saint Joseph every Sunday at Noon. He will also celebrate baptisms, weddings, and funerals at the parish. Saint Joseph will continue to have its own Pastoral Council and Finance Council, and religious education will continue.

“Father Orr and the outgoing Pastor, Father Donald Dusza, met with parishioners Tuesday night to outline Father Orr’s intentions and answer questions from the faithful. Here in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown — and in many other dioceses — it is not uncommon for two parishes to share a priest. Within the past year, two parishes in Altoona began sharing a priest with neighboring parishes, and for many years, several parishes have shared a priest and other resources.

“Our Diocese is facing a shortage of priests, and, as a result, it is becoming increasingly necessary for parishes to share priests. It places an added burden on our clergy, but they are willing to do it to serve God’s people.

“Bishop Bartchak is committed to maintaining the life of our parishes. He is grateful to his priests for their extra efforts, and he asks the faithful to continue to support their parish with their time and talent. The Bishop is working hard to encourage more young men to consider the Priesthood to serve our Diocese in the future. He asks for the prayerful support of all Catholics in Altoona-Johnstown in this effort.”