Pastoral Message from Bishop Provenzano on the Death of the Rev. Canon Paul Wancura
April 18, 2018
Notice of Funeral Arrangements from Canon Pat Mitchell
The following are the funeral arrangements for the Rev. Canon Paul Wancura:
Visitation
Monday, April 23, 2018
10 am - 9 pm
Caroline Church
1 Dyke Road
Setauket, NY 11733
Funeral Liturgy
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Noon
Caroline Church
Interment
Immediately following the liturgy
Churchyard
Caroline Church
Reception
Following the interment
Stony Brook Yacht Club
21 Shore Road
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Faithfully,
The Rev. Canon Patricia Mitchell
Canon for Pastoral Care
April 17, 2018
Pastoral Message from Bishop Provenzano on the Death of the Rev. Canon Paul Wancura
(June 22, 1930 - April 16, 2018)
The sad news of the death of Canon Wancura has touched everyone in our diocese. Those who knew him well are suffering the loss of a devoted priest and friend who was quick to provide support and prayerful insight to all who sought his counsel. Those who did not know him personally are struck nonetheless by the reported cruelty and violence during a home invasion that resulted in the death of this beloved priest.
Father Wancura was a priest of this diocese for over fifty years, the second oldest priest still serving and living within the diocese. He began ordained ministry at Church of the Ascension in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, served as rector of Caroline Church in Setauket for almost thirty years, and in early retirement, he served as the priest of Trinity Church, Greenport on the North Fork of Long Island.
Canon Wancura was the Archdeacon of Suffolk from 1966 to 1974, providing assistance to parishes and missions, and administrative oversight on behalf of the diocesan bishop. At the time of his death, Canon Wancura was serving as the supply priest for the people of Church of the Messiah in Central Islip.
Paul was an old-fashioned priest with the sensibility and spirit of a very forward-looking man. He was spry and witty--the kind of person who would engage everyone in conversation and be interested in knowing about everything happening around him. To say he was an interesting man with an interesting background would be an understatement. Not only could he tell a story well, he was always interested in hearing the story of the people he met. His intellect and good humor were a delight to encounter.
He will be missed by his friends and neighbors, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Long Island.
The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop of Long Island
April 16, 2018
4:30 pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is with profound sadness that we inform you that the Rev. Canon Paul Wancura passed away at 2:45 pm today as a result of the injuries sustained during the home invasion last month.
We give thanks for his life and ministry in this diocese.
Details of the funeral arrangements will follow this coming week.
The Rev. Canon Patricia S. Mitchell
Canon for Pastoral Care
May the soul of God's servant departed rest in peace,
and may light perpetual shine upon him.
March 20, 2018
12:30 pm
Bishop Provenzano is currently with Canon Wancura at the hospital and says that, at this time, no visitors are allowed and there will be no exceptions.
He also asks that everyone continue to pray for Cn. Wancura's recovery.
March 19, 2018
5 pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Please keep Canon Paul Wancura, longtime priest of our diocese and former archdeacon of Suffolk County, in your prayers.
Yesterday, Paul was scheduled to supply at Church of the Messiah, Central Islip, but did not appear. After not being able to reach him directly, the wardens of St. Mark’s reached out to Canon Charlie McCarron this morning as he, like Paul, resides on Shelter Island. Charlie went to Paul’s home and discovered him seriously injured after what police are reporting to have been a home invasion. It is currently under investigation; no further details are known at this time.
Paul is currently being treated at the Stony Brook Medical Center. Members of the Peconic deanery are with him at the hospital; I plan to visit as soon as possible.
I will write with more details and updates as soon as they become available. In the meantime, please pray for Paul’s recovery.
+Larry
Bishop of Long Island
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant Paul for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Correction: The call for prayers originally said that Cn. Wancura was scheduled to supply at St. Mark's, Islip.