Reverend Henry E. Strassner

The Morning Call
November 21, 2009

http://articles.mcall.com/2009-11-21/news/4479647_1_allentown-diocesan-development-family-life-bureau

The Reverend Henry E. Strassner, pastor emeritus, of St. Paul Church, Allentown, died on Friday, November 20, 2009 at the age of 86. A native of Philadelphia, Father Strassner was the son of the late Harry and Irene (Wintroath) Strassner. He is survived by a brother, Joseph and sister-in-law, Agnes; nieces, nephews. Father Strassner attended St. Bonaventure Parochial School and roman Catholic High School, both in Philadelphia. He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia and was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1947 by the Most Reverend Hugh L. Lamb at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. Father Strassners first assignment was at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cornwells Heights. He was then a professor at Allentown Central Catholic High School and principal of Notre Dame High School, Green Pond. He was later assigned as administrator and then pastor of St. Paul Church, Allentown and senior priest and parochial vicar, St. Jerome Church, Tamaqua. Father Strassner was in residence at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown; Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Allentown; St. Francis Retreat House, Monocacy Manor; Holy Ghost Church, Bethlehem; Notre Dame of Bethlehem; St. Bernard Church, Easton and Immaculate Conception B.V.M. Church, Allentown. During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Strassner had the following auxiliary diocesan assignments, regional director  of the Holy Name Society, Lehigh Deanery; diocesan director of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; member of the Council of Priests; member of the College of Consultors; regional director of the Family Life Bureau; member of the Diocesan Development and Endowment Committee; vicar forane of Lehigh Deanery and member of the advisory board of Allentown Central Catholic High School. Upon retiring, Father Strassner was named pastor emeritus of St. Paul Church, Allentown.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Strassner will be celebrated in St. Paul Church, 902 S. Second St., Allentown by his Excellency, the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Allentown on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 11 a.m. The Reverend Monsignor Edward R. Sacks, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Bethlehem, will be the homilist. The vigil service will be on Monday, November 23, 2009 in St. Paul Church, 902 S. Second Street, Allentown at 7:30 p.m. The Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Yenushosky, Dean of Lehigh Deanery will preside. The homilist will the the Reverend Larry J. Hess, pastor, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Reading. Calling hours will be in St. Paul Church on Monday, November 23, 2009 from 6-9 p.m. and Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 9-11 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to the ODonnell Funeral Home, 908 Hanover Ave., Allentown.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Immaculate Conception Church, 501 Ridge Ave., Allentown, PA 18102.