Archbishop William Skurla celebrates Archpriest Dennis Bogda’s (center) 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 23. Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich is in back. For more photos by Nick Havrilla Sr.,
Three hundred fifty priests, religious, family and friends gathered at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. on April 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Archpriest Dennis Bogda to the priesthood.
Archpriest Dennis was born in Homestead, Pa., attended Catholic grade school and high school in Pittsburgh and entered the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in 1959. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Duquesne University in 1963 and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stephen Koscisko in the Seminary Chapel on April 23, 1967.
Archpriest Dennis celebrated his 10th anniversary at the Church of The Resurrection, Monroeville, Pa., and his 25th anniversary on Sept. 27, 1992 in St. Nicholas in Youngstown, Ohio. He celebrated his 40th anniversary on April 22, 2007 at St. John the Baptist Church in Lyndora, Pa.
Archpriest Dennis was appointed rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral, his home parish and site of his 50th anniversary celebration, on June 6, 2008. Archbishop William Skurla was the principal celebrant of the April 23 Divine Liturgy. Concelebrants were Archpriest Dennis; Bishop Gerald C. Dino, Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Phoenix; classmate Very Rev.
Archpriest David Petras, Retired; Very Reverend Archpriest Eugene Yackanich, Retired; Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich, Master of Ceremony; Deacon Tim Corbett; Cindy Corbett, reader; and George Janocsko, cantor.
Afterward, everyone gathered in the Cathedral Center for dinner.
Toastmaster Deacon Corbett presided and remarks were made by Archbishop William; Archpriest Dennis; and Father Frank A. Firko, Protopresbyter Greater Pittsburgh.
Special presentations were made by Patricia Bovee, Cathedral CAMEO Club; Andrea Harhai, Greek Catholic Union Lodge 2; and Joseph Varhola, manager, Munhall, and representing Mayor Raymond Bodnar and council President Rob Falce.
