Father McKenna

The Reverend F. Charles McKenna

The Reverend F. Charles McKenna died on Saturday, 4 January 2014, at Holy Family Villa

for Priests, Bethlehem, PA, at the age of 79.Born in Allentown, Father McKenna was the only child of the late Francis Charles and Ouida M. (Petit) McKenna.Father McKenna attended Thirteenth and Union Grade School, North East Junior High School, and Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading. He received his Masters Degree in American History from Villanova University, Philadelphia, PA. He studied for the Priesthood at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, PA.Father McKenna was ordained to the Priesthood on 14 May 1960 by The Most Reverend J. Carroll McCormick, D.D., at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.His first Priestly assignment was Parochial Vicar, former Saint Canicus Church, Mahanoy City, followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Easton; Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Church, Summit Hill; Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Church, Girardville; Professor, Nativity High School, Pottsville; Professor, Marian High School, Hometown; Vice Principal, Pius X High School, Roseto; Professor, Holy Name High School, Reading; Professor and Chaplain, Alvernia College, Reading; Parochial Vicar, Saint Patrick Church, Pottsville; Parochial Vicar, Holy Infancy Church, Bethlehem, and Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Church, Reading. Father McKenna retired in 1992.During the course of his Priestly Ministry, Father McKenna also served as Berks County Clergy Representative, Diocesan Board of Education.

 

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial for Father McKenna will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Church, 1022 North Eighth Street, Reading, Pennsylvania, by His Excellency, the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Allentown, on Friday, 10 January 2014, at 11:00 AM. The Reverend E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C., will be the Homilist.Main Concelebrants will be Reverend Monsignor Gerald E. Gobitas, Secretary for Clergy, Chancellor, and Rector, Holy Family Villa for Priests; Reverend George R. Winne, Pastor, Saint Joseph Church and Saint Paul Church, Reading, and Reverend E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C.  Calling Hours will be held on Friday, 10 January 2014, in Saint Joseph Church, Reading, from 9 to 11 a.m.Interment will take place at Gethsemane Cemetery and Mausoleum, 3139 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA.

 

 

Published in Morning Call on Jan. 8, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

                                               

 

Father McKenna

I wonder where is he now? Well, wonder no more!

According to the Allentown Diocese newspaper, the Rev. F. Charles McKenna II, is a retired priest in residence at Holy Family Villa for Priest, Bethlehem, who recently celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood May 13, 2010 with a Mass of Thanksgiving and a dinner at the villa.

Fr. McKenna was born July 27, 1934 in Allentown, son of the late Frances Charles and Ouida M (Petit) McKenna. He attended 13th and Union School, Northeast Junior High School and Reading Central Catholic High School, all in Reading. He received his bachelor of arts degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia in 1956. He also studied at Villanova, Penn State and Temple Universities. He was ordained May 14, 1960 at the Catheldral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by the Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, DD. He celebrated his first mass the next day at St. Joseph, Reading. He taught at Nativity 1964-1966 with residence at Mary Queen of Peace, Pottsville. He then taught at Marian High School...

Some memorable events of the era 1964-1966 include:

1964: TV Quiz show Jeopardy! premiered with Art Fleming as the host.

1965: "What's New Pussycat" sung by Tom Jones reaches Number 3 on the Billboard charts.
1966: All U.S. cigarette packs have to carry "Caution Cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health."

Father McKenna's history lesson

The second week of August 9th – 16th is chock full of history:

On August 9, 1974 Richard Nixon resigned from office and Gerald Ford was sworn in as president. On August 9, 1995 Jerry Garcia died.

On August 10, 1943 Ronnie Spector was born; in 1963 Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips Part 2” reaches Number 1 on the charts.

On August 11, 1965 the Watts Riots began in earnest;

On August 12, 1965 Ian Fleming died; not much else happened;

On August 13, 1995 Mickey Mantle died; in 1965 “I Got You Babe” hits Number 1.

On August 14, 1950 cartoonist Gary Larson is born;

On August 15, 1965 the Beatles perform at Shea Stadium; on August 15, 1969 the Woodstock Music & Arts Aquarian Exposition began in earnest. "We must be in heaven, man!"

On August 16, 1977 the King of Rock and Roll dies; in 1931 Eydie Gorme was born.