By Lou Baldwin
Special to The CS&T
Deacon Charles F. Devine Jr., 60, a permanent deacon at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Glen Mills, died Aug. 29, 2008.
Born in Philadelphia, the son of Margaret M. and the late Charles F. Devine, Deacon Devine attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Bishop Neumann High School, La Salle College and Widener University’s Law School.
Married to Diane (Budetta), and the father of four children, David, Drew, Casey and Brittany, he was ordained a deacon May 24, 1987 by Bishop Martin N. Lohmuller at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
Early assignments were to St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lenni, and SS. Simon and Jude Parish, West Chester.
During his early adulthood he taught for several years at Roman Catholic High School and Archbishop Prendergast High School, but most of his business career was in the title insurance field.
“He was loved by many people and good at whatever he did and an excellent homilist,” said Diane Devine. “He was outgoing and even a bit goofy at times.”
His ordination to the diaconate came at age 38, relatively young for the program, and he was still in his formation when the family’s third child was expected. “I think we had the first baby shower ever given at the seminary,” Diane Devine said.
Deacon Devine came to St. Thomas Parish around 1994, recalls his pastor, Father Richard C. Williams. Although he was mostly inactive in the last few years because of illness, he had been very affable, and especially good with children.
As coordinator of the RCIA program, every year he would work through the summer lining up the fall class and had between 15 and 20 candidates and catechumens, Father Williams said.
Deacon Devine’s funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Louis A. DeSimone at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Sept. 4. Concelebrants included Father Paul J. Stenson and Father Williams, who was the homilist.
In addition to his wife and children, Deacon Devine is survived by his mother, two sisters, two brothers and 13 nieces and nephews.
Interment was at St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery.
Lou Baldwin is a member of St. Leo Parish and a freelance writer.
Compiled by Angela Arrington
Sister M. Vincentia Lawlor
Sister M. Vincentia Lawlor, I.H.M., formerly Helen A. Lawlor, died Aug. 22, 2008 at Camilla Hall, Immaculata.
She entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1932 and professed first vows in 1935. She taught elementary and high school. She also served in various congregational and educational leadership positions, including principal, teacher, local superior, vice principal and regional superior. Her last active dual ministry was as a member of the Camilla Hall staff and superior of Pacis Hall, the staff residence. She continued to assist at Camilla Hall until her retirement in 2004.
The funeral Mass was celebrated on Aug. 26 at Camilla Hall. Interment followed in the Immaculata Cemetery.
Sister Rose Veronica Leisner
Sister Rose Veronica Leisner, O.S.F., died Aug. 28, 2008. She was 93. She was a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 73 years.
She was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of St. Ludwig Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1933, she worked at S.S. Kresge Company. She professed her vows in 1935 and later earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Villanova University. She ministered primarily in elementary education both as principal and teacher.
After her retirement she served in health care in prison ministry. In 1994, she received an award from the House of Corrections for her volunteer work in prison ministry in Philadelphia. She volunteered at Holmesburg Prison where she tutored prisoners in reading and math. She also tutored in the House of Corrections, serving as caregiver for a family member, and prayer ministry at both St. Francis Convent and St. George Convent.
In 2004 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she continued to serve in prayer ministry until her death. She also ministered in the dioceses of Allentown and Harrisburg.
The funeral Mass was celebrated on Sept. 3 at the Assisi House. Interment followed at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.
She is survived by a sister, Caroline; nieces and nephews, and by her Franciscan family.
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