ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Reverend Ignatius J. Szal, Pastor Emeritus, Holy Martyrs Parish, Oreland, died at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Darby, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010.

Father Szal was born on January 30, 1918, in Minersville, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Joseph Szal and the late Anne Sowinski. Father Szal attended Minersville Public School, Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parochial School and Minersville High School, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Szal was ordained on June 3, 1944, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend Hugh L. Lamb. Father Szal served as Parochial Vicar, Our Mother of Mercy Chapel, Philadelphia; Saint Paul Parish, Reading; Saint David Parish, Willow Grove; Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Hugh of Cluny Parish, Philadelphia. Father Szal served on the faculty of Saint John Neumann High School, Philadelphia; and as Chaplain, Nazareth Academy Convent, Philadelphia. From 1968 to 1971, Father Szal served as Pastor, Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, Philadelphia. In 1971, Father Szal was appointed Pastor, Holy Martyrs Parish, Oreland, and named Pastor Emeritus there in 1989.

In the absence of Cardinal Justin Rigali, Most Reverend Martin N. Lohmuller will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Father Szal at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville, on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 11:30 AM. A viewing will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Francis G. Lendacky, Reverend Leo Maletz (Diocese of Allentown), Reverend Monsignor Robert J. Powell, and Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan. Father Lendacky will be the homilist.

Father Szal is survived by his nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish Cemetery, Minersville, Pennsylvania.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747