Msgr. Donald Mondello

Msgr. Donald J. Mondello, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died May 21 at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. He was 86 years old and would have celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood May 28. A native of Leechburg, Msgr. Mondello was born May 3, 1934, to the late Bartholomew C. and Sara Demma Mondello. His home parish was the former St. Catherine Parish in Leechburg. Msgr. Mondello was educated in Leechburg public schools, attended Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, and earned master’s degrees in philosophy and theology from the former Saint Francis Seminary, Loretto. He attended the North American College Institute of Continuing Theological Education in Rome in 1993. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1960, by Bishop William G. Connare at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Msgr. Mondello served as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville (1960-63), Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1963-65), St. John the Evangelist Parish, Latrobe (1965-68) and St. Sebastian Parish, Belle Vernon (1968-70). He served as administrator pro tem of St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish, Delmont in 1970. He served as pastor of St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish, Donegal (1970-75); St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish (1975-83); as rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg (1983-94); and pastor of Holy Family Parish, Latrobe (1994-2004). He retired from active parish ministry Aug. 26, 2004. Msgr. Mondello was named director of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) in 1974 and served the group as director and spiritual director for four decades. He also served one term as moderator of the National Council of Catholic Women. He served as diocesan pilgrimage director, on the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee, moderator of the Sodality and Catholic Youth Organization, district director for religious education in Deanery VI, moderator of the Deanery V Holy Name Society, and chaplain for the Westmoreland County Chapter of the Council of Catholic Nurses. In 2005, Pope John Paul II named Msgr. Mondello Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, the second highest rank of monsignor. At the request of Msgr. Mondello, and in accordance with current health guidelines, the Funeral Mass will be private. A live stream will be made available to the public on Wednesday, May 27 at 10 am by visiting the Diocese of Greensburg Facebook page.  A memorial Mass will be announced at a later date when health restrictions are lifted. Arrangements have been entrusted to the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, INC. Greensburg. To offer online condolences, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.