The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Birch

The Reverend Monsignor Thomas Joseph Birch, died Friday, 29, March 2013, at the age of 80, in Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem.

Born December 25, 1932 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Thomas Joseph, Sr. and Margaret Dorothy (Chepigan) Birch. He is survived by his three brothers, Raymond C., husband of Mary Ellen Birch of Bethlehem; Rev. Donald G. Birch of Fallsington, PA; Edward J., husband of Betsy Birch of Mays Landing, NJ; his sister, Margaret M. Mossop of Ocean City, NJ; and two brothers-in-law, Rev. Michael J. Lonergan of Bensalem, PA and Karl P. Mayer of Philadelphia. In addition, he is survived by 17 nieces and nephews and many many grand and great-grandnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Dorothy M. Lonergan and Kathleen M. Mayer.

Monsignor Birch was a 1950 graduate of LaSalle High School, Philadelphia. He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, PA. He was ordained on May 7, 1959 by Archbishop John F. O'Hara, C.S.C., at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. He was named a trelate to his holiness Pope John Paul II in 1993. He also studied at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, where he earned his Principal's Certification in 1972.

Monsignor Birch's first assistant pastoral assignment was with St. John Baptist, Pottsville, followed by Sacred Heart Church, Allentown. His first assignment as assistant pastor pro tempore was with St. Mary's Church, St. Clair; followed by, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem. Subsequently, his assignment was as a chaplain pro tempore with Sacred Heart Home and School, Coopersburg, PA.

He served as resident priest at Annunciation B.V.M., Catasauqua; St. Paul's Church, Allentown; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem; St. Thomas More, Allentown; Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown; Sacred Heart Church, Allentown; St. Joseph Church, Frackville; St. Vincent de Paul Church, Girardville and Sacred Heart Church, Allentown.

Monsignor Birch had his first pastoral assignment at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall, where he served 11 years, followed by St. John Baptist de la Salle Church, Shillington, where he served for 9 years, and was later named Pastor Emeritus.

Monsignor Birch served as a professor at Allentown Central Catholic High School, Vice Principal at Central Catholic High School, Allentown from June 1969-October 1969 and Principal at Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Springs, PA, from October 1969-June 1974, followed by Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown, from June 1974-September 1976.

Other priestly assignments included St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Shenandoah.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Monsignor Birch held the following auxiliary diocesan assignments: Knights of Columbus: 4th Degree; Member of Council of Priest/Diocesan Counselors; Regional Director of Social Action Bureau of Lehigh County; Board of Education, Priest Representative, Lehigh Deanery; Member of Diocesan Development and Endowment Committee; Member of Diocesan Budget Board, Allentown, Central Catholic High School from 1984-1987; Advisory Board Member, Holy Name High School, Reading, and Diocesan Board of Education, Berks County Representative.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. John Baptist de la Salle Roman Catholic Church, 420 Holland Street, Shillington, PA 19607. A viewing will be held Tuesday evening from 6-9, with a vigil service held at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday morning from 9-11; both viewings will be in the church. Entombment will be in Gethsemane Mausoleum, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Immaculate Conception Church, 905 Chestnut St., Douglassville, PA 19518 or St. John Baptist Church, at the above address.

Arrangements are entrusted to Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.