The Reverend Monsignor Paul B. della Picca, Pastor Emeritus, of the former Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Bethlehem, died on Thursday, 22 September 2011, at the age of 76, in Udine, Italy. A native of Mereto di Tomba, Province of Udine, Italy, Msgr. della Picca was the son of the late James and Maria (Lizzi) della Picca. Msgr. della Picca received his education including his preparation for the priesthood in Italy. He received his Doctorate in Theology and Liceniate in Canon Law from the University of the Lateran, Rome. Msgr. della Picca was ordained to the Priesthood on 12 July 1959. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Allentown in 1963 and was named Honorary Prelate by Pope John Paul II in 1981. Msgr. della Picca’s priestly assignments in the Diocese of Allentown were Parochial Vicar, Saint Peter Church, Reading; Professor, Holy Name High School; Parochial Vicar, Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Easton; Pastor, Saint Barbara Church, Minersville, and Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Bethlehem. Additionally, he was confessor to the Sisters of Our Lady Help of Christians Convent, Allentown; Casa Belen Convent, Bethlehem, and Casa Guadalupe Convent, Bethlehem. Survivors: sister, Rosa, and a niece, with whom he resided, and a nephew. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, the Reverend Angelo A. della Picca. Services: A Memorial Mass for Msgr. della Picca will be celebrated on Sunday, 16 October 2011, at Incarnation of Our Lord Church, Thomas and Buchanan Streets, Bethlehem, at 10:30 AM. His Excellency, the Most Reverend John O. Barres, will be the Main Celebrant. The Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Chaback will be the Homilist. Local arrangements are entrusted to Cantelmi Funeral Home, Fountain Hill. An online memorial book will be sent to Msgr. della Picca's family in Italy. To sign and send a condolence please visit www.cantelmifuneralhome.com and click on online obituaries.

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