Reverend Brian F. Van Fossen

Father Van Fossen received his early education in Diocesan Catholic schools.

Born on May 3, 1971, son of Teresa Bukofski Van Fossen, of West Nanticoke, and the late Charles Van Fossen, he is a member of St. Stanislaus Church in Nanticoke. He attended Pope John Paul II Elementary School, Nanticoke, and graduated from Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre.

Father Van Fossen earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from The University of Scranton in 1993 and a master’s degree in counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1998.

Having begun his studies for the priesthood at St. Pius X Seminary, Dalton, he was assigned to the Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he completed his theological preparation for ordination by obtaining a master’s degree in theology.

He currently serves as Assistant Pastor at St. Jude's, Mountaintop, PA.

Reverend Edward L. Michelini

Father Michelini is a native New Yorker, born in New York City on May 24, 1946 and his home parish is St. John Bosco Parish, Conyngham.

Son of the late Raymond and Anna Rossi Michelini, the Fr. Michelini received his early education at Sacred Heart Elementary School, Bronx, N.Y., and graduated from Mahwah High School in Mahwah, N.J.

He earned his bachelor of science degree in education in 1969 from the District of Columbia Teachers College and went on to obtain post-graduate degrees from Stanford University in California and Ohio State University.  He received his doctorate from Ohio State in 1988.  A former teacher at Bishop Hafey Jr./Sr. High School in Hazleton, Father Michelini completed his

theological training for the priesthood at Blessed John XXIII Seminary, where he earned a master of divinity degree. Prior to his priestly formation, Father Michelini was a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for 35 years. 

He currently serves as Assistant Pastor at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Towanda , Pa.

Reverend Joseph R. Hornick

Father Hornick, a 60-year-old widower and father of three grown children, considers Pittston his home in the Diocese of Scranton, after ministering in the parish community of St. John the Evangelist-St. Casimir-St. Joseph the past two summers.

Born in Trenton, N.J., on March 12, 1945, son of Mary Ellen Palowez, now of Bensalem, and the late Joseph Hornick, Fr. Hornick was raised in Levittown, where he

received his early education at St. Michael the Archangel Elementary School and Bishop Egan High School.

A two-year Army veteran, Fr. Hornick is a 1967 graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. He has had a career as a commodity broker and owned his own vending business. His wife of 16 years, Mary Ann, passed away in 1991, and the couple’s three children – one a former U.S. Marine and two presently serving in the Marines – reside in California.  One son has served in the war in Iraq, while a daughter is scheduled for deployment to Iraq later this year.

Father Hornick completed his theological studies for the priesthood at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, where he earned his master of divinity degree.

He currently serves as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary's Parish, Blossburg , Pa.