Bishop Visits Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center on Feast of St. Joseph

Members of the Penn State Health St. Joseph community gather for the morning Mass on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, during which Bishop Schlert commented in his homily that St. Joseph’s role as described in sacred Scripture was often behind the scenes. He made the comparison that the staff of the hospital in many ways are like St. Joseph. Day in and day out, behind the scenes, they provide care and compassion to the patients entrusted to their care.

Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center

Bishop Alfred Schlert, center, celebrates Mass on St. Joseph’s Day March 19 at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center (PSHSJ), Bern Campus, Reading. With him are, from left: Deacon Joe Lombardo of St. John Baptist de la Salle, Shillington, a member of the Spiritual Care staff at PSHSJ; Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) Father E. Michael Camilli, senior priest at Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; Father Joseph Ganser, assistant pastor of St. Joseph and St. Paul, Reading; Deacon James Bardi of Immaculate Conception BVM, Douglassville, a member of the Spiritual Care staff at PSHSJ; Father Frank Grundowski, pastor emeritus of St. Bartholomew, Brockton and St. Bertha, Tuscarora; and Father Keith Mathur, assistant in the Diocesan Curia and director of the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship. (Photos by John Simitz)

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Bishop Schlert visits a patient with, Father Joseph Ganser, left, and Sister Rose Dvorak, a chaplain at PSHSJ. It was the Bishop’s first official visit as Bishop of Allentown to Penn State Health St. Joseph and part of the annual feast of St. Joseph activities at the medical center.

Bishop Schlert visits a patient with, Father Joseph Ganser, left, and Sister Rose Dvorak, a chaplain at PSHSJ. It was the Bishop’s first official visit as Bishop of Allentown to Penn State Health St. Joseph and part of the annual feast of St. Joseph activities at the medical center.

Bishop Schlert chats with Jessica Henry, Penn State physician assistant student, left, and Dr. Francis Quigley, hospitalist. During his visit Bishop Schlert celebrated Mass, had lunch, enjoyed a meet-and-greet with board members and visited patients at the Bern Township Campus.

Bishop Schlert chats with Jessica Henry, Penn State physician assistant student, left, and Dr. Francis Quigley, hospitalist. During his visit Bishop Schlert celebrated Mass, had lunch, enjoyed a meet-and-greet with board members and visited patients at the Bern Township Campus.

Bishop Schlert speaks with Joan Zupicick, clinical instructor at Reading Area Community College, center, and Sister Rose Dvorak.

Bishop Schlert speaks with Joan Zupicick, clinical instructor at Reading Area Community College, center, and Sister Rose Dvorak.

Bishop Schlert greets John Morahan, CEO and President of Penn State Health St. Joseph, and his wife, Anne Morahan. Bishop Schlert expressed gratitude to Morahan; Susan Sullivan, vice president of Mission and Ministry; and the entire administrative team for their dedicated leadership in ensuring the Catholic identity and mission of the hospital. He thanked his brother priests, deacons and dedicated religious sisters for their pastoral service that they show to the patients and staff.

Bishop Schlert greets John Morahan, CEO and President of Penn State Health St. Joseph, and his wife, Anne Morahan. Bishop Schlert expressed gratitude to Morahan; Susan Sullivan, vice president of Mission and Ministry; and the entire administrative team for their dedicated leadership in ensuring the Catholic identity and mission of the hospital. He thanked his brother priests, deacons and dedicated religious sisters for their pastoral service that they show to the patients and staff.

The display table of St. Joseph’s Mission in Action on St. Joseph’s Day.

The display table of St. Joseph’s Mission in Action on St. Joseph’s Day.

Gathered after the Mass are, from left: Alan Brechbill, executive vice president and COO at Penn State Health; John Morahan; Heidi Masano, vice chair, St. Joseph Regional Health Network (SJRHN) Board of Directors; Mike Duff, member, SJRHN Board of Directors; Bishop Schlert; and Bruce Smith, member, SJRHN Board of Directors. “Even though we are part of Penn State Health, we have retained our Catholic identity...,"said Mike Jupina, vice president of marketing and communications.

Gathered after the Mass are, from left: Alan Brechbill, executive vice president and COO at Penn State Health; John Morahan; Heidi Masano, vice chair, St. Joseph Regional Health Network (SJRHN) Board of Directors; Mike Duff, member, SJRHN Board of Directors; Bishop Schlert; and Bruce Smith, member, SJRHN Board of Directors. “Even though we are part of Penn State Health, we have retained our Catholic identity...,"said Mike Jupina, vice president of marketing and communications.

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