Father Michael A. Messaro, MSSCC, a native of Camden who served in the Diocese for more than 20 years, died March 21 in Timonium, Md. He was 84.
Born in Camden on April 7, 1941, he was baptized at Sacred Heart Church. He attended grammar school at the parish’s school, and went on to attend Camden Catholic High School for two years. He then transferred to Camden High School, graduating in 1959.
In 1960, he joined the Missionaries of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and studied in Rome for seven years. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 30, 1968. He returned to the United States and the Diocese of Camden and helped then-pastor Father Vincent Ferraro, MSSCC, with the newly established Our Lady of Sorrows, Linwood.
Ten years later, he became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Fatima in Camden, where he learned to speak fluent Spanish. At the parish, he worked with Hispanic youth, Cursillo and the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic movement, among others.
While serving in Camden, he earned two degrees at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa., where he would later return to help with spiritual direction for Spanish-speaking students. After 13 years of service in the Diocese, he was assigned two parishes in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa.: Saint Mary’s in Fairfield (the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and later to Saint Rita in Blue Ridge Summit. He went on to work as a chaplain in a local hospital and nursing homes, as well as being contracted with Fort Ritchie in Cascade, Md. He also sang for two years with the Emmitsburg Community Chorus and Gettysburg Chorus.
Father Messaro is survived by his brother, Richard Messaro (Patricia), and two nieces, two nephews and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, as well as his sister, Roberta DiDonato, and her husband, David.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 27. He was buried next to his parents in New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
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