Saint Valentine Church

Our Pastor and Priests

Rev. Alan Morris, Administrator

Rev. Jeremiah T. O'Shea, Parochial Vicar/Senior Priest

WELCOME FR. ALAN MORRIS

We extend a warm welcome to the new administrator of St. Valentine's, Rev. Alan Morris, who officially began his duties here at St. Val's this Monday, December 14, 2006. Please pray for him as he begins his new assignment here at St. Valentine.

Fr. Alan was born July 1, 1966 and spent his childhood, second of four brothers, in Rochester, Beaver County, where his parents, Paul and Peg still reside. His home parish is St. Cecilia. He attended high school at St. Joseph Prep Seminary in Vienna, WVA, college at St. Paul Seminary and Duquesne University, and theology at the Josephinum in Columbus, OH. After his ordination in 1992 his first assignment was St. John the Baptist Parish in Plum Boro, followed by St. Gabriel in Whitehall, St. Bartholomew in Penn Hills, and as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle in Clarksville, Greene County. Fr is a "music lover", sports fan, and devoted "civil war buff." Above all, he is deeply committed to his priestly ministry and the Church. "We welcome you, Fr. Alan, and offer you our support as you begin your ministry at St. Valentine as our "parish shepherd."

FR. FRANCIS FRAZER DEPARTURE
(posted November 28, 2006)

The St. Valentine's community was saddened to learn that Fr. Frazer was a given a new assignment, pastor of St. Thomas in Clarksville, Greene County, to begin on December 11, 2006. We thank Father for his 7 years of service to St. Valentine Parish and for his gentle, inspirational guidance. Click here for Fr. Frazer's new address.

WELCOME FR. FRANCIS FRAZER
(posted November 7, 1999)

We extend a warm welcome to the new pastor of St. Valentine's, Rev. Francis Frazer, who was appointed by Bishop Wuerl last week. Father Francis is currently the pastor of St. Philomena Parish in Beaver Falls, where he has been for the past 10 years. He brings a very gentle and warm spirit to our parish. He officially begins his duties here at St. Val's this Friday, November 12, 1999. Please pray for him as he begins his new assignment here at St. Valentine.

FR. ROBERT MILLER DEPARTURE
(posted September 16, 2001)

The Following letter is from Father Miller who has become pastor of Holy Martyrs in Tarentum.

JOY IN THE DESERT I can't believe I'm saying goodbye because it seems like I just arrived here. But I thank God for 2 1/2 wonderful years here. I have tried to serve you well and you have given me much love in return. For that I thank you and I am grateful

Moving is one of the worst parts of being a priest as he has to leave behind many friends. It's like going out into a desert. He leaves behind everything familiar and starts all over again. Although it's hard to go into the desert, there's also joy in the desert because the priest opens himself up to many wonderful new things. I entered the desert coming here and received many abundant blessings.

While I am sad about leaving. I am excited about my new assignment as Pastor of Holy Martyrs Parish in Tarentum. Only the Lord knows what lies ahead for me there. But I know that if I trust in Him, He will give me more joy and satisfaction than I could have ever imagined.

CLICK HERE

for a picture of Father Miller at his going away reception.

FR. JAMES IBEKWE DEPARTURE
(posted January 2, 2000)

Fr. James has completed his Masters Program at Duquesne and is very grateful for all the help he received over the last year and a half from the good people of St. Valentine. We too are grateful fro his presence and help at the parish. Father is leaving for Connecticut this week and is hoping to complete his Doctoral studies before returning to his home diocese. We wish him well.

FROM FR. JOHN HARVEY
(posted October 21, 1999)

Decisions are not always easy to make and one must spend time in prayer before making them. During my retreat in June and while in South Carolina in July, I did much praying about my future as a priest. I knew that I wanted to work as long as possible, but I also knew that the needs of a parish as large as St. Valentine often required more energy than I felt capable of giving. I spoke with Bishop Wuerl on September 10th, and we both agreed that it might be time for me to work at a slower pace. When the pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in McDonald retired, I felt that this would be the type and size parish that I could serve well for some time to come, if God grants me the health to do so. The priest personnel board and the Bishop both concurred with my request and I have been appointed Pastor of St. Alphonsus effective October 25, 1999.

It is with regret that I leave St. Valentine, but a regret tinged with a great amount of thanksgiving for four wonderful and busy years. I have learned to love so many people here. I have been greatly affirmed in my priesthood and have thoroughly enjoyed serving you as your Pastor. I trust that I have served you well. I do apologize for any times I may not have lived up to your expectations. If I have offended anyone, I beg your forgiveness. I thank each and every parishoner for all your support an promise that in return I shall remember you one and all in my prayers and Masses. God love all of you.

CONGRATS FR. DeWITT
(posted October 3, 1999)

Fr. David DeWitt, former parochial vicar at St. Valentine's, is now the new pastor at Mater Dolorosa Church in Chicora. We pray God's choicest blessings for Father as he begins his first assignment as pastor in the Diocese of Pittsburgh

FATHER MILLER ARRIVAL
(posted January 2, 1999)

Our new parochial vicar, Father Robert Miller, came to St. Valentine Parish on January 18, 1999. He had been a parochial vicar at Mary, Mother of Hope Parish in New Castle, PA. Please wish him a long and enjoyable stay.

FATHER CONNOLLY DEPARTURE
(posted November 22, 1998)

Although we knew that his assignment to St. Valentine was "Pro Tem", it is with great regret that we take leave of Father Robert Connolly as he assumes his duties as pastor of St. Mary Church, Cecil on Friday of this week. Father has endeared himself to many in the parish in the few months he has been here. His gentle ways and positive attitude, as well as his priestly example, are the qualities that will be remembered be those who came to know him. We thank him for all that he did for so many in the short time he was here and we wish him well in his new assignment.

FATHER KEVIN DEPARTURE
(posted August 4, 1998)

It is with joy for Father Kevin Dominik, but sadness for ourselves that we announce his appointment as Vice Rector and Director of Spiritual Formation of St. Paul Seminary and Director of the Department of Clergy and Ministerial Formation for the Diocese. Kather Kevin will take up residence at Saint Paul's Seminary. Although his stay with us as Parochial Vicar was short (about 14 months), Father Kevin endeared himself to the parish and was a vital force in the lives of so many, particularly the youth. He will be greatly missed, but our prayers are with him in his new role, a very important one in the formation of the future priests of our Diocese and the the continuing growth and development of those already ordained. We grieve our loss and congratulate the Diocese in their gain of a very dedicated and holy priest in a very important position.

FATHER CONNOLLY ARRIVAL
(posted August 4, 1998)

On August 17, 1998 when Father Kevin leaves us, Rev. Robert P Connolly will become our new parochial vicar Father Connolly has many special talents and will be most welcome as he begins his duties here. Please wish him a long and enjoyable stay.

FATHER RAGNI ARRIVAL

Father Richard Ragni, former Pastor of St. Januarius Parish in Renton, has been appointed as parochial vicar here at St. Valentine. He assumed his new duties on June 8, 1998. We welcome Father Ragni and look forward to his sharing his priestly talents with the parish.

FATHER JEROME DEPARTURE
(updated November 30, 1999)

Father Jerome Masawe, CSSp, our former resident from Tanzania left St. Valentine Parish on June 1, 1998. Father went to the Diocese of Syracuse for the month of June to make appeals for his religious community. During July and August he will be working in a parish in New York. We wish Father well in his summer work and are grateful for his presence with us this past year.

After his missions appeal, he spent nearly 1 year in residence at St. Martin De Porres Parish (McKeesport) and left this past summer to return to a parish in Tanzania. If you would like his mailing address, you can get it through Fr. Ray at St. Martin de Porres.

FATHER JAMES IBEKWE ARRIVAL

With the departure of Father Jerome, Father James Ibekwe, a priest of the Diocese of Awka, Nigeria, has taken up his residence at St. Valentine. Father James is a student of Duquesne University and will assist the Parish as his schedule permits. We welcome Father James and are sure that all our parishoners will make him feel at home at St. Valentine.

FATHER RAY TRANCE

After serving the St. Valentine Parish community for almost four years, Father Raymond Trance has begun his new duties at St. Martin De Porres Parish in McKeesport.

Father Ray's address is St. Martin De Porres, 704 Market Street, McKeesport, PA 15132. Phone Number is (412) 672-9763.

FATHER RAY GUALTIERI
(posted September 6, 1998)

We welcome a new neighbor who really is an old friend to many at St. Valentines. Former Parochial Vicar, Father Ray Gualtieri has retired from active ministry in the priesthood and is living with his brother Pat at the Brightwood Plaza.

Page groundbreaking on Jan 25 1998
Page last reviewed on June 21, 2006
Page last updated on December 10, 2007

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