Message from Our New Pastor, Father Dave Bonnar

In every life there is always a history—a collection of moments from the past that become treasured and honored.  How humbling it is for a priest to step into the history of a parish and its people.  It is even more humbling teaching, leading, and sanctifying God’s people into the future and a whole new history.

Today is the first day of Saint Aidan Parish.  After nearly two years of planning and preparing for a parish merger between Saint Alphonsus and Saint Alexis Parishes the moment has finally arrived.  We owe a debt of gratitude to Father Paul Zywan, Father Will Wuenschel, the staff, the councils and you the faithful for all of the hard work that has gone into this effort.  We are now officially one body in Christ under the patronage of St. Aidan.

While we must never forget our roots and the paths that got us to where we are, the rear view mirror is always smaller than the front windshield.  To that end, I invite you to join me in looking ahead to what can be with God’s grace, for I believe the best is yet to be. 
    
Ever since the Bishop called me and asked me to take this assignment I have been praying for you.  I arrive today as your pastor and servant who seeks to accompany you through the dyings and risings of life.  Even though I am a native of the South Hills, I am truly excited to call Wexford and the North Hills my new home. 
   
Over the next few months my focus will be on looking, listening, learning, and loving.  I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. In particular, I am excited to collaborate with the staff and church councils.  My primary goal will be to build community in the name of Jesus Christ.  I believe that this begins at the altar with good and prayerful liturgy and grows into a ministry of presence to each other that makes us one.   I sincerely desire to be present to you along with Fr. Will, Deacon Al and Deacon Jeff and the parish staff. 

Please allow me to introduce myself.  I typically go by Fr. Dave.   I am the fourth of five children to George and Mary Bernadette Wilson Bonnar both of whom are deceased. My mom’s oldest sister was the late Register of Wills of Allegheny County, Rita Wilson Kane.  My dad was a butcher and meat manager for Thorofare Markets.  My mom was the consummate homemaker.
   
I attended Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin School, South Hills Catholic.   During my senior year we became Seton La Salle High School.  I graduated from Duquesne University with a B.A. in Social Communications.
 
During my senior year of college I lived at Saint Paul Seminary and was subsequently sent to the North American College in Rome where I received an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

I was ordained a transitional deacon on April 14, 1988 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome.  I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in my home parish of St. Gabriel’s on July 23, 1988.

I served as a parochial vicar at St. Vitus, New Castle, St. Rosalia, Greenfield, and St. Thomas More, Bethel Park.  I also served as Rector of Saint Paul Seminary, Director of Pre-Ordination Formation, Director of Vocations and Director of the Permanent Diaconate.  I also served as Secretary of Parish and Ministerial Leadership for the diocese and Vicar of Clergy.  I was also a part-time chaplain at Central Catholic High School.  I also was blessed to be pastor of Saint Bartholomew, Penn Hills and Saint Bernard, Mt. Lebanon.  For the last two years I was also Administrator of Our Lady of Grace, Scott Township. 

For 12 years I was honored to serve as chaplain of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I am currently beginning my fifth year as editor of The Priest Magazine which is a national publication for priests published by Our Sunday Visitor. 

I enjoy writing, golfing, running, walking, and biking.  For 12 years I was a dog owner.  I absolutely love sports.  Above all, I love being a priest and I feel so blessed to now be your priest.

Even though we have not met, we share something in common.  We are founding members of the new Saint Aidan Parish.  Let us pledge to pray for one another.  Saint Aidan, pray for us!