It was announced this morning at our Piqua Parishes, St. Boniface and St. Mary, that Father Angelo Caserta has passed away.

Father Angelo Caserta celebrated his 100th birthday in December. Father Angelo was born in Piqua Ohio and attended Saint Boniface school. He was ordained on February 24, 1945. Funeral Arrangements are as follows:

Reception of the Body: Monday, May 20, 2019 at 12:00 noon at St. Boniface Church, 310 S. Downing St., Piqua, Ohio 45356; (937-773-1656). Celebrant: Reverend Steve L. Shoup; Visitation following Reception of the Body and through the night, until 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr; Homilist: Reverend Edward J. Shine.

Burial: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 immediately following the Mass of Christian Burial in Forest Hills Cemetery, 8660 N. St. Rt. 66, Piqua, Ohio 45356 . Celebrant: Reverend Charles W. Caserta.

Here’s a reprint of Walt Schaefer’s Article from April 2015:

Father Angelo Caserta, at 96 the oldest active priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, called his priesthood a blessing from God.

Prior to celebrating his 70th anniversary Mass March 1 at St. Boniface Church in his home town of Piqua, Father Caserta said, “The Lord has taught me the great love that Christ and the Eternal Father have for people … to allow a priest to be the instrument of God’s love to His people and make Him alive in them and … experience that God is loving them. I have seen that so many times, in fact all of the time.”

Father Caserta was ordained Feb. 24, 1945, by then-Archbishop John Timothy McNicholas. He remembers the day well: “The temperature on that Saturday was a high in the 70s – in February. It was sunny and pleasant. When I was growing up, spring started in the middle of February,” he said.

Is there a secret to his longevity?

“My secret is the good Lord,” he said. “The Lord gets all the credit. I’m the only classmate surviving in my class. Not many average that milestone. There may have been some of the old-timers who did. You know, it’s a celebration of God’s goodness. How He could choose someone like me and take care of me for 70 years while doing His work in the priesthood.”

During his priesthood, Father Caserta served only two parishes, spending most of his years at St. Gregory Seminary, former college seminary of the archdiocese, which closed in 1980; and at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.

“I was born in Piqua and pastor at St. Boniface. I was pastor of St. Lawrence in Price Hill … from June 9, 1970, through August 7, 1984,” he said. “I spent a lot of time at the seminaries. I was at St. Gregory where I was secretary to the rector and then vice rector to the rector. And, I was at Mount St. Mary’s as well. In 1967, I was assigned to the business manager job.”

He has returned to St. Boniface, where today, “I’m on call … to assist at St. Boniface and at St. Mary parishes. I actually say two Masses on the weekend and then during the week as well I say Masses. I assist at funerals and special celebration of the parishes. I still hear confessions once or twice a week.”

Father Caserta reflects with fondness his life of service.

“In the priesthood one of the greatest gifts is that you meet so many wonderful people. I have met so many wonderful people. It is by the grace of God that I’m a priest. I have had so many wonderful blessings. Everything is still in my mind. I remember practically everything,” he said.

Funeral Services are pending.