The communities of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague came together to celebrate the 50th ordination anniversary of their pastor, Father Wayne Varga on June 2, during a Mass at St. Thomas Church. A luncheon followed the Mass. Father Varga was ordained to the priesthood in 1974.
Father Varga’s colleagues, family, friends, and priests concelebrating the Mass, including people from parishes he previously served, attended the Mass. Retired priests included Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer, Msgr. James O’Rorke, Msgr. Kieran McHugh, and Msgr. William P. Stober. Priests from neighboring communities included Father Iván Csete of St. Mary Parish in Port Jervis, N.Y.; Vocationist Father Thomas Kuttikkatt, superior of the Sanctuary of Mary, Shrine of St. Justin, in Branchville; and Father Philip-Michael Tangorra, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Branchville. Deacon Wayne von Doehren of St. James and St. Thomas assisted with the Mass, along with Deacons Greg Szpunar and James Caulfield.
Father Raymond Pavlick offered a prayer of thanksgiving and led all in saying grace before the luncheon.
