Reverend Monsignor Thomas Gerald Bender

Bender Reverend Monsignor Thomas Gerald Bender died February 4, 2015, at Mount Carmel East Hospital. The son of Thomas Francis and Ursula Helen (Fox) Bender, he was born July 8, 1930 in Lancaster, Ohio, baptized on July 13, 1930 at Saint Mary Parish (Lancaster), graduated from Saint Mary Elementary School (Lancaster) in 1944, Saint Charles Preparatory School (Columbus) in 1948, completed his college seminary studies in 1948 and received his Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1952, both from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (Columbus). Monsignor Bender was granted a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Theological College of the Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.) in 1956, and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest at Saint Joseph Cathedral (Columbus) on May 26, 1956 by the Most Reverend Michael J. Ready, Bishop of Columbus. Following ordination, Monsignor Bender pursued graduate studies, and was granted a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Ohio State University in 1961. During his decades of priestly service to Christ, His Church, and the people of the Diocese, Monsignor Bender was assigned to serve as Associate Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish (Newark) in 1956; Associate Pastor, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish (Columbus) in 1960; Assistant Principal (with residence there) at Bishop Hartley High School in 1965; Assistant Superintendent of Schools (with residence at Christ the King Parish, Columbus) in 1961; Principal of Bishop Flaget High School (Chillicothe) in 1965; Principal of Marion Catholic High School (Marion) in 1969; Co-Pastor, Saint Cecilia Parish (Columbus) in 1975; Associate Pastor, Saint Philip the Apostle Parish (Columbus) in 1984; Pastor, Saint John Neumann Parish (Sunbury) in 1985; Pastor, Saint Joan of Arc Parish (Powell) in 1993; and Pastor, Saint Mary Parish (Bremen) in 1997, serving there until his retirement in 2005. During his retirement Monsignor Bender helped out at many parishes in the Diocese. In recognition of his devoted service to the Church, Monsignor Bender was named Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1995. Monsignor Bender's body will be received at Holy Spirit Church, 4383 East Broad Street, Columbus, on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 4 p.m., with visitation continuing until 7 p.m. when a prayer service will begin. Visitation will resume Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 10 a.m. and will continue until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. The Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell will celebrate the Mass, priests of the Diocese will concelebrate; the homily will be delivered by Father Timothy Hayes. Burial will follow in the priests section at Saint Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne. In lieu of flowers, it was Monsignor Bender's expressed desire that donations be made to the Villas at Saint Therese, 25 Noe Bixby Road, Columbus, 43213. Funeral Arrangements completed by EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 403 East Broad Street. Visit www.egan-ryan.com to offer condolences.