Bishop Efren Esmilla celebrated a Mass at St. Dominic officially installing the Rev. Brian Connolly as pastor.
The Revs. Edward Kearns and John Gabin, former pastors at St. Dominic, were among the clergy in attendance at the Sept. 20 Mass. Also on hand was the Rev. Patrick Welsh, pastor at St. Matthew.
The Knights of Columbus St. John Neumann Assembly 933 assisted at the Mass, attended by, among others, St. Dominic principal Christopher Pugliese.
In his homily, Esmilla asked members of the Holmesburg-based, 176-year-old parish – the oldest Catholic church in the Northeast – to support their new pastor.
“The family that prays together,” Esmilla said, “stays together.”
Connolly was ordained in 2017 and named parochial administrator of St. Dominic in June 2023. He has been pastor since June 16 of this year.
“I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
A reception for Connolly followed in Marian Hall. There was plenty of food and desserts, and bagpiper Gary Guth performed Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral and other Irish songs. ••
