Monsignor Lizor marks 50 years in the priesthood

Monsignor Joseph S. Lizor Jr., the pastor of St. Luke, Edgemere, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination June 22 with a Mass at the parish and a celebration in Perry Hall.

A native of Hagerstown, Monsignor Lizor was ordained May 24, 1958. The seminarians in his class included Monsignor A. Thomas Baumgartner, the pastor emeritus of St. Ursula, Parkville, who was among the concelebrants at Monsignor Lizor’s jubilee Mass. Other concelebrants included Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, eastern vicar, and Bishop William C. Newman, retired eastern vicar.

Those in attendance included James B. Peake, the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The celebration turned into a reunion for Monsignor Lizor and Dr. Peake. A U.S. Army chaplain for 22 years, Monsignor Lizor’s overseas tours of duty included a stint in South Korea, where then Colonel Peake was his commanding officer.

Monsignor Lizor has been a parish priest, a volunteer firefighter and is a trained pilot who can operate small planes.

At St. Luke, his accomplishments include establishing First Friday and eucharistic adoration.

Those sending blessings and letters of congratulation to Monsignor Lizor include Pope Benedict XVI, President George W. Bush, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Archbishop William D. Borders. Monsignor Lizor also received a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol May 24, the 50th anniversary of his ordination.

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