Father Bernardo Pistone loved the people of Saint Francis Xavier Gettysburg when he served as the parish’s pastor. Almost a decade has passed since the Italian native moved from here, but several of his former parishioners traveled to Lancaster on Sunday, June 11 to return the love.

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, where Pistone now resides, held a Golden Jubilee Mass to celebrate his 50 years as a Catholic priest. The man of honor himself celebrated the Mass with the assistance of several other priests. “Thank you all for being here today. I very, very much appreciate your presence,” an obviously humbled Pistone told the congregation.