St. Joseph Church
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust
A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

The Reverend John S. Szczesny             The Reverend Alan W. Grote
         Pastor                                           Parochial Vicar

Father George W. Swast
Pastor 1996-2001

            Ordained in 1980 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Father George was, in many ways, a "builder" for the Catholic Church.  While undertaking his first pastorate at St. Mary, Yatesboro, Father George oversaw construction of a new church.

            Father George said he was excited by the St. Joseph parishioners' willingness to rally toward improvements in the church.

            Father George also spent his spare time building on a smaller scale.  He constructed miniature doll houses and furnishings.  A very special doll house went to his nieces; others were given as charitable donations.

            Father George earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1976 at St. Pius X, Erlanger, KY, and master's of divinity and theology degrees in 1979 at Mary Immaculate, Northampton, PA.