After a decade of faithful service to Walsh University, Senior Chaplain Father Thomas Cebula, 80, has been appointed by the Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, to serve as the administrator of St. Louis Parish in Louisville and Sacred Heart Parish in Harrisburg effective November 25, 2022. Father Cebula will continue to serve as Senior Chaplain at Walsh University until then.
Father Cebula came to Walsh University in 2013 after retiring from Saint Barbara Catholic Church in Massillon where he had served for 20 years. He felt at the time that he had a calling to continue to serve in a new vocational path. We have been blessed and honored to be the beneficiaries of that calling ever since.
During his time at Walsh University, Father Cebula has presided over daily Holy Mass, prayed for our community during countless campus and community events, and lent a helping hand whenever needed. Who could forget the image of Father carrying heavy equipment into the residence halls to assist students during move in weekends over the years? In addition, he assisted with the fundraising effort to raise $250,000 for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Giving Society. He has played an active role in campus ministry, partnering with Associate Chaplain Father Louis Bertrand, Director of Campus Ministry Ben Walther and the Campus Ministry staff to support faith-based experiential programs for Walsh students. He is also involved with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) on campus, where he interacts with students, Campus Ministry and Walsh professors of theology.
Unwavering in his kindness and compassion for people of all faith traditions, Father Cebula has been a comforting presence in both difficult times and joyous occasions. He has deeply enriched the religious experience of so many, and Walsh University is a better place due to the imprint he has left on us all through his chaplaincy.
We recently featured Father Cebula in the latest issue of the Walsh University Magazine which debuted in the Walsh Wire last week and is available here.
We will also have a going away reception for Father during Founders Week in November. Keep a look out in your email for details.
Read coverage in the Massillon Independent.
We wish Father Cebula God’s peace and happiness during this transition and we thank him for being a living example of our mission and serving our wonderful community.
