Monsignor Thomas L. Holoman

1928 - 2011

GREENSBURG, Penn. – Monsignor Thomas L. Holoman, 83, of Greensburg, Penn., formerly of Lincoln, died March 19.
Holoman was born Jan. 1, 1928 to John M. and Mary K. (Tressa) Holoman in Calumet, Penn. He attended St. Florian's Catholic School and graduated from Hurst High School in Norvelt, Penn. He continued his education at St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, Penn. After graduating from St. Vincent's College with his philosophy degree, he continued with his theological studies at Conception Abbey Seminary in Conception, Mo. On June 4, 1955 he was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, Penn. by Bishop Hugh Lamb for the Diocese of Lincoln.
Father Holoman was first assigned to St. Andrew's Church in Tecumseh for the summer of 1955 and then in September 1955 he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Michael's Church in Hastings, where he taught third and fourth grade full-time. In 1959, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Joseph's Church, York. In October 1960 he was given his first pastorate at St. James Church, Curtis with missions at St. William, Wellfleet and St. Joseph's Church at Farnam. In 1962 he was assigned to the faculty of Pius X High School and Chaplain of the Veteran's Hospital in Lincoln. While assigned to Pius X, he was appointed Administrator of St. Michael's Church in Cheney. In 1966 Father Holoman was assigned to St. Wenceslaus Church in Bee and to the faculty of Aquinas Catholic High School.
Bishop Flavin appointed Father Holoman to St. John's Church and School in Lincoln in 1969 where he served as pastor until he was appointed as the founding pastor of St. Joseph's Church and School in
Lincoln in 1976. That same year he was appointed the Director of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese. In addition to his other assignments, he was also named Director of Diocesan Cemeteries, Director of Calvary Cemetery in Lincoln, Administrator of Holy Trinity Church in Brainard and the Station Church in Loma. In 1984, he was also appointed Director of Catholic Social Services and the following year he was appointed a Diocesan Consultor.
In 1991 Pope John Paul II invested Father Holoman as an "Honorary Prelate of His Holiness" with the title of Reverend Monsignor. In 1995 Monsignor Holoman was appointed as pastor of St. Mary's in Denton while continuing with his other diocesan assignments, as well as co-Chaplain of St. Elizabeth's hospital in Lincoln. In August of 2003 Monsignor Holoman retired from active ministry, continuing as Diocesan Pro-Life Director with residence at St. James Church, Mead as Senior Priest. In June 2005 Monsignor celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest and moved to Greensburg, Penn. to be with family. After serving for 50 years in the Diocese of Lincoln he was able to serve the people of his home parish of St. Florian's in United, Penn. and the people of the Greensburg Diocese. Monsignor was a faithful priest for over 55 years to the People of God. He was devoted to the Holy Mass, the Eucharist and the Holy Rosary.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Holoman; and a brother, Stephen Holoman.
He is survived by his brothers, John (Josephine) Holoman of New Castle, Penn.; William, of Calumet, P Penn.; sisters, Ann (John) Quinn, Warwick, R.I., Betty Holoman, Greensburg, Penn.; seven nieces and nephews; many grand nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will be received from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 in the Jay A. Hoffer Funeral Home in Norvelt, Penn., with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at St. Florian Church in United, Penn. with visitation continuing until 9 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 23 at St. Florian Church with Most Reverend Bishop Lawrence Brandt as Main Celebrant.
Family and friends will also be received from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 25 at Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home, 40th and A Street in Lincoln, followed by visitation at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 7900 Trendwood Drive in Lincoln, with Rosary at 7:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at Cathedral of the Risen Christ, 3500 Sheridan Blvd., in Lincoln.
Burial will be at St. Florian Cemetery in Trauger, Penn.
Memorials to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lincoln.