About Rev. Robert Burns

NEWLY ORDAINED PRIEST DIES
The Catholic Witness — Harrisburg Diocesan Newspaper
June 15, 2001

Father Robert Burns, Jr., died in his sleep June 3, in North Wales, PA. He was 56 years old.

Father Burns had been ordained to the priesthood for the Harrisburg Diocese the previous day by Bishop Nicholas Dattilo at St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg. He was to have celebrated his first Mass as a priest on June 3 in the afternoon, at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, North Wales, his home parish. His first assignment was to have been as parochial vicar at St. Leo the Great Parish, Rohrerstown.

Father Burns was the son of the late Robert Burns, Sr., and the late Cecelia (Burns) Walsh. He is survived by his stepfather Edward Walsh, two sisters and a brother.

Father Burns received his elementary education in Glenside, PA., and attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, PA. He attended Chatfield College in St. Martin, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education from Edgecliff College of Xavier University in Ohio. He continued studies in the field of education at Gwynedd Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA.; La Salle University, Philadelphia; and Penn State University. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Following a career in education that included teaching and school administration, Father Burns felt the call of a priestly vocation. He completed his priestly formation at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

As part of his seminary formation, Father Burns served during two summers at Seven Sorrows BVM Parish, Middletown, and Prince of Peace Parish, Steelton. He was ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Dattilo on May 20, 2000, and during the summer that followed, he served at Divine Redeemer Parish, Mount Carmel.

Commenting on the loss, Bishop Dattilo said: “Father Burns’ death stunned us all. It seems so untimely, but our faith tells us something else. It tells us that he wanted to become a priest and that God allowed his dream to come true.

“On June 2 he was ordained a priest and celebrated Mass with his bishop and fellow priests in the presence of his family and friends. In retrospect, what a wonderful preparation for heaven.”

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 7 at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church in North Wales. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham, PA.