REVEREND DONALD G. BIRCH

 1940 – 2016

Reverend Donald G. Birch, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Fallsington, died on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.

Father Birch was born on March 16, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Thomas J. Birch and the late Margaret D. (Chepigan) Birch. Father Birch attended Saint Bernard’s Parochial School, Philadelphia, and LaSalle High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Birch was ordained on May 20, 1967, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John J. Krol.  He served on the faculty of Saint James Catholic High School for Boys, Chester.  Father Birch served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Philadelphia; Our Lady of Charity Parish, Brookhaven; Saint Katherine of Siena Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Augustine Parish, Bridgeport; and Holy Cross Parish, Springfield.  Father Birch served as Pastor, Saint Madeleine Sophie Parish, Philadelphia, and in June 2000, he was appointed Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Fallsington, and named Pastor Emeritus there in 2013.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Queen of the Universe Church, Levittown, on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at 9:00 A.M., followed by a viewing.  Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Father Birch at Queen of the Universe Church, on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at 11:00 AM.  Among those concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend John J. Farry, Reverend Michael Hennelly and Reverend Michael Lonergan.  Father Hennelly will be the homilist.

Father Birch is survived by his sister, Marge Mossop and brothers, Ed and Raymond Birch and many nieces and nephews.  Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.