Mcfadden And Whitehead

Monsignor Vicent Topper celebrates 75th anniversary of ordination

Seventy-five years, eight popes, five bishops, 12 presidents and 16 governors later, Topper continues to celebrate Mass and attend parish functions at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Swatara Township.

On Tuesday, he celebrated his 75th anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Catherine’s. The Mass, concelebrated by four other elderly priests on the altar and more than 75 priests who sat in the pews, became what Topper called “a celebration of the priesthood.”

Topper, who will celebrate his 99th birthday on July 28, is the oldest and longest-serving priest in the Diocese of Harrisburg and one of the oldest in the United States, diocesan officials said. On Tuesday, Topper appeared to be one of the most beloved, too.

The two-hour Mass began with a stately procession that included nearly two dozen sword-carrying Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Color Corps members, more than 75 priests, the Most Rev. Joseph P. McFadden, bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg; the Right Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, arch abbot and chancellor at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, and Topper.

Brilliant sunlight shone through the stained glass windows depicting Christ’s crucifixion and the seven sacraments. The rich voices of the Bishop McDevitt High School Concert Choir brought special beauty to the Mass.

Topper, moving around the altar purposefully and speaking in a firm voice that sounded decades younger than his 98 years, said in prayer that “as unworthy as I am, you have chosen me to share in the holy priesthood.”

Monsignor Hugh A. Overbaugh, Topper’s cousin and former pastor at St. Catherine’s, said that Topper brought Christ to many people.

“If Monsignor Topper offered just one Mass each day of the 75 years he was a priest, that translates into 27,375 Masses,” he said in his homily. Overbaugh turned to his cousin and added “in 75 years, you ministered with a priestly heart and gave outstanding service. May your priestly heart always have the freshness of spring time.”

Topper spoke at the end of the Mass, joking with McFadden that, “I have buried eight bishops and eight popes in my lifetime.” He reminisced about being born in a family of seven children, three of whom, along with his mother, died from tuberculosis.

He credited his late father with encouraging him to become a priest and his parents with giving him a Catholic upbringing that included saying the Rosary each night after dinner, reading lives of the saints and discussing their faith.

Chief Of Affections: Vinyl Sunday: "McFadden & Whitehead"

It's Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start to summer, so of course that means it's time for those pool parties and good old fashioned cook-outs! It seems like every cook-out that I've ever been to with people over the age of 25 comes complete with a standard list of old school jams that must be played. Come on now, you know and I know that it just wouldn't be right if we didn't hear some Earth, Wind, & Fire, Frankie Beverly & Maze, and The Gap Band. Throw in McFadden & Whithead's "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" and the list is complete.  All I need is a beat and a drink and I'm good to go and ready to party.

OH yeah, when you hear them strings, you already know what it is. I love when Larry Gold and Black Thought remade this a few years ago for the compilation Larry Gold presents Don Cello and Friends . Larry Gold was the original string arranger for MFSB and the Philly International label, and I believe he arranged this joint as well. Dope post, you're right on the money! Classic!

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