Saint Anselm All Stars
Mary & Dominic Bucciarelli
Mary and Dominic were both raised in West Philadelphia. Mary was from Our Mother of Sorrows Parish; whereas, Dominic was reared in Our Lady of the Rosary Parish. They met when several Catholic Youth Organizations in the West Philadelphia Region were sponsoring a variety show. Mary graduated form West Catholic and Dominic from Saint Thomas More.
Married while Dominic was still a member of the U.S. Army and stationed in Hawaii, Mary joined him there. Their first child, Dom, was born in Hawaii. They are the parents of seven children, Dom, Elena, Teresa, Kathleen, Daniel, Maria, and Claire. All their children attended St. Anselm School and Archbishop Ryan High School.
Mary and Dominic moved to St. Anselm Parish in 1969, and immediately Mary assisted Father McGonigle in forming the first High School CYO here. She helped with the Campfire Girls and Girl Scouts, joined St. Vincent DePaul Society and using her wifely persuasion, got Dominic involved.
Mary told Frank Nessel that she was sure Dominic would be president of the organization if someone asked him.For many years, they have been one of the backbones of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which aides people with food clothing and material resources for people who are experiencing financial difficulties.
Aware that God has blessed them with a wonderful life, their ministry to people is the way they choose to give back in a small way. Mary and Dominic are choir members and Eucharistic Ministers; Dominic also lectors.
They humbly acknowledge how they have been blessed. Dominic has been inspired working with wonderful clergy who have served St. Anselm Parish. They have made many friends along the way, especially Frank and Adele Nessel, Joyce and Ed Erwin, Betty and Charlie Clifton, and Mary Elmer to name a few. They cannot say enough about how friendly and supportive their neighbors and people of the parish are towards themselves and each other.
Mary and Dominic are an inspiration to our parish. By using their talents to do God’s work, whether it is delivering food, taking the Eucharist to the sick, enhancing our liturgies, or just being there to listen to a friend, they are a beacon for us to emulate
Thank you and God bless you!!