A new chapter unfolded for Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish on June 17, 2023, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At the 12:05PM Mass, Bishop Paul Sanchez proclaimed the appointment of Father Francis J. Passenant as pastor.
After an entrance procession, Father Passenant opened the Mass with a prayer. After the readings, Bishop Sanchez, his predecessor as OLQM pastor, introduced Father Passenant and gracefully presented the parish members—the priests and deacon, the civil trustees of the parish, the representatives of the parish’s Catholic academy and religious education programs, and the parish staff—to their new pastor. Two witnesses came forward to sign a civil document and declaration of the installation. Father Passenant then led the congregation in the Profession of Faith and, afterward, read a new pastor’s Oath of Fidelity. The Mass continued with the presentation of the altar gifts.
During this homily from the pulpit, Father Passenant addressed the congregation and energetically spoke about the pulse of the parish, his goals for the parish, and his desire to seek basilica status for Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church. You can rewatch the installation Mass in full on our YouTube channel.
Slide show photos courtesy Denise DeMaria, Robert Schnell, and kb.
