North Country Catholic Newspaper

Father Jonas to move to Pa., Father Frank arrives

May 6, 2020

WATERTOWN – Effective June 29, Father Jonas Tandayu, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Watertown, has accepted a transfer to Holy Family Parish in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Father Frank Natale, also a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and currently parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in Nazareth, will become pastor of Sacred Heart in Watertown.

Father Tandayu spent a year at Holy Family Parish in Nazareth before becoming pastor of Sacred Heart in Watertown in January 2013.

The Pennsylvania parish has 2,000 families, an elementary school, a large religious education program and has many active parish groups.

Father Natale, 41, was born in Canton, Ohio. He was ordained a Missionary of the Sacred Heart in 2013.

“Father Frank (Natale) will officially become pastor of (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) on June 22, 2020,” wrote Father Richard Kennedy, provincial superior of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in a letter to Sacred Heart parishioners. “Father Frank has the qualities to become a well-beloved pastor. I know you will give him a true ‘Sacred Heart’ welcome. Please pray for him as well as for all the MSC priests and brothers.”

In his letter officially appointing Father Natale to the position of pastor at Sacred Heart, Bishop Terry R. LaValley thanked the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for the service of Father Tandayu.

“Allow me to thank you for the outstanding pastoral ministry the people of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church have received under the leadership of Father Jonas Tandayu over the past seven years,” Bishop LaValley wrote. “His fatherly presence as pastor has greatly benefited the people of the parish and his insights on the diocesan level, including those shared on the Council of Priests, have been greatly appreciated. While he will be missed, I have no doubt the people in his next assignment will be greatly blessed.”

The assignment changes were necessitated by the retirement of Father Joseph Tobias, current pastor of Holy Family Parish in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Father Tobias’ retirement comes after 50 years of priestly ministry.