Father Michael A. Messaro MSSCC, died peacefully on Saturday, March 21, in Timonium, Md. He was 84.
Father Messaro was born on April 7, 1941, in Camden, N.J., son of the late Michael D. and Palmer (Antonine) Messaro.
He was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Camden, where he received his elementary school education. After two years at Camden Catholic High School, he transferred to Camden High School where he graduated in 1959.
After graduation, he worked for Di Paulo Close for two years. In 1960, he entered the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and studied in Rome for seven years, where he was ordained on March 30, 1968. He returned to the United States to help Father Ferraro build a new parish church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Linwood, N.J.
After ten years in Linwood, Father Messaro was assigned to serve the people of God in Camden, where he became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Fatima parishes.
While in Camden, he learned to speak fluent Spanish. He became director of Hispanic youth and helped with the Cursillo movement, the Charismatic movement and many other parish organizations. While in Camden, he earned two degrees at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia.
After 13 years of service in Camden, Father Messaro was assigned to two parishes in the Diocese of Harrisburg in 1993: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fairfield, and St. Rita’s in Blue Ridge Summit. In addition to his duties as a pastor, he established a parish council and finance committee for each parish.
Father Messaro was a contract chaplain for Fort Ritchie and was an active member of the Fairfield Ministerium. At the request of Bishop Nicholas Dattilo and with the help of faithful parishioners, Father Messaro built a new facility on Tract Road in Fairfield, on land bought by a former pastor.
He served as pastor of the parishes for 25 years. In his retirement, he assisted with Mass and confessions at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Md.
Father Messaro also served as chaplain in the local hospital and nursing homes, and sang for two years with the Emmitsburg Community Chorus and Gettysburg Chorus.
For many years, he was a member of the Upper Room Prayer Group in Abbottstown. He also helped with spiritual direction at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg with Spanish-speaking students.
Father Messaro loved all his assignments and the people he worked with. He always said he was blessed to serve God as a Missionary of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
He is survived by his brother, Richard Messaro, sister-in-law, Patricia, two nieces, two nephews and great nephews. He was predeceased by his sister and her husband, Roberta and David DiDonato.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27, at Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Fairfield, with Father Peter DiTomasso, MSSCC, as celebrant. A viewing will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. at the church on Friday. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, N.J.
At Father Messaro’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the foreign missions of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The Monahan Funeral Home is assisting with the funeral arrangements, online tributes and condolences may be made at the funeral home’s website.
