SILVER JUBILARIAN'S LIFE SKETCH
Monsignor Joseph Bodnar was born in Forest City, Pa., Gateway to the Anthtacite Coal Region, the son of Joseph and Mary (nee) Matircho. He received his education in public elementary and high school of the city. During his high school days he participated in football, basketball and baseball. After graduation from Forest City High School, he was being scouted to play in Major League baseball, but instead enrolled in Saint Thomas College, Scranton, Pa., and later studied at the University of Scranton. After two years of his college life, Monsignor pursued his studies at Saint Procopius College, Lisle, Illinois, where he received the Batchelor of Arts Degree in Education.
Upon completing his studies in Philosophy and Sacred Theology at Saint Procopius Seminary, he was ordained a priest on July 23,1944 at Saint John's Cathedral, Munhall, Pa., by the Most Reverend Basil Takach, D.D. Following his ordination his bishop assigned as assistant to the Very Reverend Nicholas Chopey at Saint Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. While he was assistant there, he also administered Saint John's Church, Georgetown and Saint John's Church, Lopez, Pa.
After one and a half years of these duties, Monsignor was assigned by his bishop as pastor of Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Barberton, Ohio. There he remained for five years. In the meantime there arose the need for organizing the large number of Byzantine-rite Catholics in Maple Heights, Ohio. This task fell to Monsignor Bodnar, who also initiated plans for the erection of a new church. After successfully organizing Saint Eugene's Church in Maple Heights, he was appointed as pastor of Saint Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Cleveland, Ohio.
Besides his regular pastoral work at St. Mary's, Monsignor Bodnar, looking forward to the years ahead and the coming generations, worked hard to establish a parochial school for the children. He is very adept in not only planning, but also in realizing his plans concretely. Hence he purchased Old Corpus Christi Church on Biddulph Avenue, near Saint Mary Church and renovated this building. This was the first Saint Mary's Elementary School, and with the Sisters, Servants of Mary Immaculate, he operated this elementary school.
Progress in spiritual growth was considered further. His faithful at St. Mary's realized the fruits of a Catholic Education, so with their cooperation and encouragement, Monsignor was ready to expand the facilities of Saint Mary's School. He constructed a modern well-built school with the facilities and all modern methods of education conducted now by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and lay teachers. There are 400 children registered at Saint Mary's School now for the fall term. Besides the building of the school, Monsignor purchased several homes, provided a play ground around the school and excellent space for parking of the church and school.
In addition to taking such excellent care as a shepherd and pastor of his faithful and children at Saint Mary's, Monsignor Bodnar was also a most cooperative and willing worker for the establishment of our own high school at Saint Joseph's on Orleans Avenue, where he was appointed as Coordinator.
Byzantine Catholic High School was then transferred to Parma, Ohio, on Broadview and Snow Road. Here at Byzantine Catholic High which now has approximately 568 students, Monsignor was appointed as Administrator. After two years, he was relieved of this administration, but was reappointed as administrator of Byzantine Catholic High in 1966, which office he holds today.
Besides his pastoral work at Saint Mary's, in 1963 Monsignor was made Director of our Deanery Holy Name Society. In the diocese of Pittsburgh at the time, he was also appointed as Consular in 1965 and that same year was on the Ecumenical Commission of the Diocese.
Now with the division of the Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, and the creation by the Holy Father of our Parma Byzantine Catholic Diocese, he was appointed by our Bishop, His Excellency, Emil Mihalik, D.D., as Vicar General and Consular of the diocese of Parma.
On the silver anniversary of his priesthood, together with his bishop, the faithful of Saint Mary's Church, clergy, relatives and friends, Monsignor gives thanks to Almighty God for being a priest, and this Eucharistic Sacrifice, this Liturgy of Thanksgiving, is the pinnacle of his joy, to be a priest for 25 years. The prayers of His Excellency, Bishop Mihalik, of his countless priest friends and of his faithful of Saint Mary's Church are that he would be blessed to the crown of glory when he reaches his Golden Anniversary - 25 years hence, for the Greater Honor and Glory of God, the Glory of the Church and the Diocese of Parma, and for the salvation of souls.