Father Joseph Getz, O.S.A. By Father Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial
70 Anniversary th
J
O
n June 5, 2021, Fr. Joseph Getz, O.S.A., the senior-most member of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, observed the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. This milestone marks seven decades of generous service both to the faithful, as well as to his brother religious. This latter exercise of ministry continues still at St. Thomas Monastery where Fr. Getz has been stationed these past eleven years. Fr. Getz was ordained to the priesthood at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. by John M. McNamara, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. Bishop McNamara holds the distinction of having ordained some 2,000 men to the priesthood during his 33 years as bishop.
6
oseph J. Getz was born on July 14, 1924, in Atlantic City, NJ. He is the son of the late Peter F. Getz, an architect, and the late Eleanor A. Herbert Getz, whose family includes two other sons and three daughters. Fr. Getz was baptized at Holy Spirit Church, Atlantic City, NJ and attended St. Malachy Parish School, and LaSalle High School, both in Philadelphia, PA. In 1942, he became a postulant of the Order at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, and was received as a novice in September 1943. After a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1944 and solemn vows on September 10, 1947. He then attended Villanova College from 1944 to 1948, where he received a BA in Philosophy and pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, until completion in 1952. The newly ordained friar’s first assignment was to Our Lady of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, as assistant novice master. This two-year assignment was followed by five years as associate pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, NY. The Jamaica parish was considered a special training ground for many young priests of the province with its large parish school and engaging chaplaincy to nearby Queens General Hospital. In 1959, he began what was to become a twelve-year appointment as associate at St. Denis Parish, Havertown, PA. Here, among his various duties, he was especially active with youth programs and with the reorganization and embellishment of the extensive parish cemetery. At the conclusion of his assignment to St. Denis, a farewell reception in Fr. Getz’s honor, brought 3,000 people together to bid him thanks and farewell, so appreciative were they for his years of generous service to the parish.