Posted August 8, 2013

Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald (center) celebrates Mass for the installation of Father Joseph L. Farrell (left), pastor of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in the city’s Tacony section Sunday, Aug. 4. Father Tomas J. Dunleavy, dean for the parishes in upper Northeast Philadelphia and lower bucks County (Deanery 11), also concelebrated the Mass. To the right of bishop Fitzgerald is  Deacon David Schaffer master of ceremonies for the Mass.

Our Lady of Consolation merged with St. Leo Parish, with St. Leo becoming a worship site of the new OLC Parish, July 1. Father Farrell had been pastor of St. Leo prior to the merger.

Prior to the Mass, members of the newly merged parish processed approximately six blocks from St. Leo to OLC led by Irish bagpiper Chris O’Melvin for half of the way, and then by Italian bagpiper Charlie Rutan for the balance of the journey.