Tue, May 13 2008
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Pope Benedict XVI has named St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church pastor Rev. Samuel S. Sacus a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, entitling the Beckley priest to now be addressed as monsignor.
An installation Mass recognizing this pontifical honor will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis de Sales with a dinner celebration to follow in the school gymnasium.
The Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, nominated Msgr. Sacus in recognition of his 41 years of service as a priest in the diocese.
“He is a model priest, to young and old alike,” Bransfield said in an interview with The Catholic Spirit. “He is naturally kind and compassionate, and he has a good sense of humor. He is deeply prayerful.
“Msgr. Sacus leads a well balanced life, marked by evangelical simplicity.”
The bishop also pointed out that Msgr. Sacus has always been “exceptionally supportive of vocations to the priesthood” and has actively worked with the diocesan Office of Vocations in Wheeling.
“I hope I can be worthy of this great honor and the confidence that the bishop reposes in me, his unworthy servant,” Msgr. Sacus said.
In addition to Bishop Bransfield, concelebrating Saturday’s mass will be Msgr. Frederick P. Annie, Vicar for Clergy for the diocese, and Msgr. P. Edward Sadie, rector of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston.
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