News Release
November 20, 2007
REVEREND MONSIGNOR ARTHUR J. CENTRELLA
1927 - 2007
Reverend Monsignor Arthur J. Centrella, Pastor Emeritus, Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown, and Resident, Holy Cross Parish, Springfield, died of end stage Melanoma at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Darby, on Friday, September 28, 2007.
Monsignor Centrella was born on May 4, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Bernard Centrella and the late Elvira Fischetti. Monsignor Centrella attended Saint Monica Parochial School, Philadelphia, and Southeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Monsignor Centrella was ordained on May 8, 1954, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O'Hara, and named Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1982. Monsignor Centrella served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Parish, Reading; Immaculate Conception Parish, Kelayres; Mother of Divine Grace Parish, Philadelphia; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Bridgeport; and Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Philadelphia. Monsignor Centrella served as Pastor at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Chester; Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Philadelphia; and Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown. In 2002, he was named Pastor Emeritus, Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali at Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown, on Thursday, October 4, 2007, at 11:00 a.m.. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend George J. Boyle, Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Duncan, Reverend James W. Gormley, Reverend George G. Hagenbach, Reverend Monsignor Charles L. Sangermano, and Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Skelly. Monsignor Sangermano will be the homilist
Monsignor Centrella is survived by his sister, Mary Marchesano, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Bernard, Nicholas, Albert, Rita Essig, and Olga Fryer. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR: David Caramenico, 610-275-7777
Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747