August 14, 2002

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Father Joseph Black dies at age 70

        Father Dennis Joseph Black, Pastor at St. Helen Parish in Junction City died on
August 12th. Dennis Joseph Black was born on October 9, 1931, at Drumlish, County
Longford, Ireland, the son of George Black and Mary E. Dorris. He went to primary
school in Drumlish and then entered St. Mel's Diocesan Seminary in Longford, Ireland.
In 1950 he entered All Hallows Major Seminary in Dublin. Father Black was ordained for
the Archdiocese of Portland on June 17, 1956, in Ireland.

        Father Black arrived in Portland immediately after his ordination and served as
Associate Pastor at St. Rose parish in Portland, at St. Mary Cathedral parish and at Star
of Sea parish in Astoria.

        On November 1, 1968, he was named Pastor of Star of the Sea parish in
Brookings and served there until 1977. On September 1, 1977, he was appointed
Pastor at St. Jude parish in Eugene and served there until August 1989. On August 1,
1989 Father Black was named Pastor at St. Helen parish in Junction City and priest
moderator of St. Rose parish in Monroe. He was serving those parishes at the time of
his death.

        Father Black earned a Master's Degree in Marriage, Family and Child
Counseling from the University of San Francisco in 1975, and was a certified Family
Counselor in the state of Oregon.

        A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:15 pm,
Monday, August 19, 2002 at St. Mary parish (1062 Charnelton Street) in Eugene.
Bishop Kenneth Steiner will preside. Burial will be in Ireland. Father Black is survived
by cousins in New York City and in Ireland.

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