Rev. Father Edward M. Lucas
Rev. Father Edward M. Lucas
Rev. Father Edward Michael Lucas, a retired priest of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, fell asleep in the Lord on January 7. He was born in Yonkers, N.Y. on Oct. 20, 1935, the son of the late Michael and Mary Hirko
Lucas. The family were parishioners of St. Nicholas Church in Yonkers.
His early education was in the public schools of Yonkers, and he graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1961. After completing his studies at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Father Edward was ordained to the priesthood with eight others by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko in St John Church, Parma, Ohio on Dec. 6, 1961.
He served the parishes of St. Nicholas, Youngstown, Ohio; Holy Trinity, Chicago, Ill.; St. Basil, East Chicago, Ind.; and SS. Peter and Paul, Patton; St. Mary, Duquesne; St. Elias, eternal memory rev. father edward m. lucas Munhall, and Transfiguration, McKeesport, all in Pennsylvania. From July 10, 1997 to his retirement on Nov. 10, 2015, he was the pastor of St. Mary Church in Weirton, W. Va. And the administrator of St. John Church in Avella, Pa.
Father Edward’s Archeparchial appointments included Deanery Moderator for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Professor of Liturgical Chant at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Notary of the Archeparchial Tribunal, and member of the Presbyteral Council.
Visitation was at his former parishes: St. John in Avella on Jan. 11 and St. Mary, Weirton on Jan. 12. The funeral service for a priest was celebrated on both days by Father Vasyl Symyon, present pastor and administrator of these parishes. The funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop William Skurla on Jan. 12 at St. Mary. Concelebrants were Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich, Archpriest John G. Petro, Very Rev. Frank A. Firko, Father Robert J. Karl, and Father Christopher R. Burke. Father Vasyl Symyon served as the Master of Ceremonies and Very Rev. Bryan Eyman was in attendance.
Father Lawrence W. Dorsch, pastor of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Weirton delivered the homily in which he said: “Father Ed heard the voice of Christ calling him as a young adult to serve Him and the Church and was ordained 54 years ago. He listened to that voice and served God’s people in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and ending here in West Virginia. He heard the voice of Christ and preached the Word, celebrated the Sacramental Mysteries and cared for the people entrusted to him.”
Father Edward is survived by his brother Frank Lucas of New York, his nephew Edward Lucas, and his niece Catherine Lucas. Because of the inclement weather, interment will be at a later date at St. Paul Cemetery in Weirton.
May God grant to His servant the priest Edward, eternal memory and blessed repose!
