St. Gerard Majella Parish Pastor Named Monsignor

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, June 8, 2007— Pope Benedict XVI conferred the papal honor of monsignor on Father William A. Hanson, pastor of St. Gerard Majella parish, Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.

“I was so flabbergasted,” Msgr. Hanson said of learning of the papal honor. “When I thanked Bishop Murphy I said ‘Thank you very much, monsignor [rather than Bishop]!’”

Msgr. Hanson said the announcement is an honor for him and his parishioners.

“It helps all of us to feel Bishop Murphy’s appreciation,” he said.

Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Msgr. Hanson grew up in Wantagh, N.Y., and attended St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, Uniondale, N.Y. He graduated from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, N.Y., and was ordained into the priesthood May 27, 1972.

His first assignment was to St. Bernard parish, Levittown, N.Y. In 1977, he was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul parish, Elmont, N.Y., followed by St. Sylvester parish, Medford, N.Y., Maria Regina parish, Seaford, N.Y. and St. Martin of Tours parish, Amityville, N.Y. He has been pastor at St. Gerard Majella parish since 1990.

In Msgr. Hanson’s earlier days, he designed the interiors and stained glass windows of about 25 churches and chapels throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre as well as other dioceses. He has continued studies in stained glass techniques from the Middle Ages and Renaissance period.

He is on the Board of Directors of the International Catholic Stewardship Conference. He has also been invited to a dozen dioceses or archdioceses to help the Gallup Faith Division analyze Church attendance. The goal of this project has been to help parishioners become more engaged and help people discover individual talents given by God. Msgr. Hanson travels nationally and internationally to help promote the program.


Editor’s Note: Photo Courtesy of The Long Island Catholic/Greg Shemitz





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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island. (4/20/07)
 

For more information Contact:
Sean P. Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
sdolan@drvc.org
 

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