Rev. Michael A. Messaro, MSSCC, age 84, died peacefully on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Timonium, MD.
Rev. Messaro (Fr. Mike) was born on April 7, 1941, in Camden, NJ, the son of the late Michael D. and Palmer (Antonine) Messaro. Father was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Camden, where he received his grammar school education. After two years at Camden Catholic High School, he transferred to Camden High School, where he graduated in 1959. After graduation, he worked for Di Paulo Close for two years. In 1960, he left home and joined the Missionaries of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and studied in Rome for seven years, where he was ordained on March 30, 1968. His studies completed, he returned to the United States to help Fr. Ferraro build a new parish church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Linwood, NJ.
After ten years in Linwood, Father was assigned to serve the people of God in Camden, NJ, where he became pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-Fatima parishes. While in Camden, he learned to speak fluent Spanish. He became director of Hispanic youth, helped with the Cursillo movement, the Charismatic movement, and many other parish organizations. While in Camden, he earned two degrees at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. After thirteen years of service in Camden, Father was assigned two parishes in the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA: St. Mary’s in Fairfield, PA, and St. Rita’s in Blue Ridge Summit, PA, in 1993. Besides the usual parochial duties, he established a parish council and finance committee for each parish. He was a contract chaplain for Fort Ritchie and was an active member of the Fairfield Ministerium. At the request of Bishop Ditillo, Father, with the help of good men, built a new facility on Tract Road in Fairfield, on land bought by a former pastor. Father also helped as a chaplain in the local hospital and nursing homes, and sang for two years with the Emmitsburg Community Chorus and Gettysburg Chorus. For many years, he was a member of the Upper Room Prayer Group in Abbottstown, PA. Father also helped with spiritual direction at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary with Spanish-speaking students.
Father loved all his assignments and the people he worked with; he always said he was blessed to serve God as a Missionary of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Father is survived by his brother Richard Messaro, sister-in-law Patricia, two nieces, two nephews, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his sister and her husband, Roberta and David DiDonato. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 27, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 256 Tract Road, Fairfield, PA, with Fr. Peter E. DiTomasso, Celebrant. A Viewing will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church on Friday. Father Mike will be buried next to his parents in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, New Jersey. At Father’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the foreign missions of the MSSCC. The Monahan Funeral Home is assisting with the funeral arrangements. Online tributes and condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.