Rev. William N. Seifert

The Rev. William N. Seifert (Ret) 70, of Bethlehem, died Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem.

He was born December 29, 1952, in Philadelphia, a son of the late Walter R. and Lucy Sandrock Seifert.  

Father Seifert attended Saint Patrick Elementary School, Pottsville and was a 1970 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville.  Father received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Scranton with a minor in concentrations in Psychology and Communications which he received in 1977.  He also received a Master of Divinity Degree from Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton. Father pursued advanced studies in Ministry to the Deaf and Hearing Impaired at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. and advanced studied were also completed at the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, Washington, D.C. as well as advanced studies in Theology at Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton. 

 He was ordained to the Priesthood on 23 May 1981 by the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Father Seifert’s first assignment was Professor, Allentown Central Catholic High School. He then served as Professor, Bethlehem Catholic High School followed by Director of Spiritual Activities, Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua. Father also served as the Chaplain, Saint Christopher Catholic Newman Center, Kutztown University.

Father Seifert’s first assignment as a Pastor was at Annunciation of the BVM Parish, Shenandoah, St. Mary Parish, Ringtown, and St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Lost Creek, followed by Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Easton and Pastor, St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, Allentown.  

Father Seifert also served as Parochial Vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading; Parochial Vicar, St Patrick Parish, Pottsville; and Parochial Administrator, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Lehighton.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Seifert served as Regional Director, Apostolate for the Deaf; Catholic Social Agency, Deaf Apostolate; Assistant, Episcopal Master of Ceremonies; Member, Diocesan Textbook Review Committee; Secretary, Diocesan Task Force on Chastity; Diocesan Director, Prison Ministry; Pastoral Ministry, Schuylkill Medical Center, Pottsville; and Priest Director, Region V, Catholic Youth Organization.  

On 7 January 2020, Father Seifert was granted the status of a Retired Priest of the Diocese of Allentown.

He is survived by a sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Yanni, and her husband, Robert of Pottsville; a niece and 2 nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11AM Wednesday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville with his Excellency, The Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Allentown as Main Celebrant and Homilist. Family and Friends are invited to a viewing from 5-7PM Tuesday and from 9:30AM-10:30AM Wednesday at the church. A Vigil service will be conducted at 7PM Tuesday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, with Msgr. William F. Glosser, V.F. presiding and Rev. Bernard J. Ezaki, President of Catholic Mission and Identity, Bethlehem Catholic High School as Homilist. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Father Seifert be made to St. Patrick Memorial 319 Mahantongo St, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.

Please share your memories and condolences with Father Seifert's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com