ALLENTOWN — The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, announced on Monday that Pope Francis has conferred a papal honor on the Rev. Francis P. Schoenauer, rector of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown.
The pope has named Schoenauer, 70, a chaplain to His Holiness, which carries with it the title of reverend monsignor.
The new monsignor was born in Lismulladuff, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1945. He moved to the United States the following year. He was educated at St. John the Baptist Grade School and Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary outside Philadelphia, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest on May 19, 1973, at St. Thomas More Church in Allentown by Bishop Joseph McShea.
He was a professor at Allentown Central Catholic High School in residence at Our Lady Help of Christians Church and St. Stephen Church, Allentown, and St. Ann Church, Emmaus. He was an assistant pastor at St. Ann Church, Emmaus, and Notre Dame Church, Bethlehem.
Schoenauer first became a pastor at St. Fidelis Church, Mahanoy City, in 1983. Over the next 33 years, he has also been pastor at St. Richard of Chichester Church, Barnesville; St. Mary, St. Boniface and Ss. Peter & Paul churches, Saint Clair; St. Margaret Church, Reading; St. Nicholas Church, Walnutport; and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Nesquehoning. He has been rector of the cathedral since August of last year.
Barres surprised the new monsignor by making the announcement at the 4:15 p.m. Mass at the cathedral Saturday. Formal ceremonies recognizing the conferral of the papal honor will be held at a later date.