Fr. David M. Stopyra, OFM Conv., son of +Peter P. and +Agnes was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is the second youngest of twelve children.

 

He attended the Holy Trinity Parish School and Central Catholic High School. Upon completion of high school he entered the Franciscan Friars Novitiate in Becket, MA.

 

He received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Bonaventure Univeristy, Olean, New York and completed post graduate studies in theology at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary, Granby, Mass. Fr. David also received a master's degree in counseling psychology from St. Bonaventure University.

 

Fr. David was ordained a priest on May 28, 1960 by Bishop Christopher Weldon at St. Michael Cathedral, Springfield, MA. His first assignment was as a guidance counselor and teacher of Latin at Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, Maryland. He served as principal at the high school, an archdiocesan high school for boys, with an enrollment of 1200 from 1971-1976.

 

In 1976 Fr. David was named Director of Seminarians at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary. He also served on the Provincal Council from 1973-1979. His first pastorate was at St. Stanislaus Church, Trenton, New Jersey. From 1982 to 1991, Fr. David served as pastor of St. Hyacinth Church, Auburn, New York. From 1991 to 1997, he was assigned as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Athol Springs, New York.

 

On August 27, 1997, he was assigned pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church.