Franciscan Father Thomas Hartle, of St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., died on Feb. 5 while in Aruba. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
During his 49 years as a friar, Father Hartle was known as a compassionate retreat leader and pastor, with a wonderful sense of humor and a deep joy.
Born on Christmas Eve, 1944, in Clarion, Penn., Father Hartle came from a large family that included parents Urban and Bessie (née Myers) Hartle and six siblings. He grew up in Pennsylvania and was educated there, including at Immaculate Conception High School in Clarion and Gannon College in Erie.
On May 20, 1971, Father Hartle was ordained a priest at 26 years old for the Diocese of Erie, Penn. He then discerned a vocation to religious life as a Franciscan and was received into the Order of Friars Minor in 1975, professing first vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1979 and served at the St. Francis Retreat Center in Rye Beach, N.H., until 1990.
Father Hartle was then assigned to reside at the St. Francis Friary Novitiate in Brookline, Mass., and continued to offer spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops at various locales.
In 1994, he joined the team at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Andover, Mass.
From 1999 to 2008, Father Hartle was pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Butler, N.J., where his compassionate leadership and pastoral care deeply impacted the parish community.
During his ministry spanning more than five decades, Father Hartle conducted numerous pilgrimages to Italy, helping the faithful connect with their spiritual heritage. He was widely respected for leading retreats and days of recollection focused on Franciscan themes, sharing his wisdom and spiritual insights with all who sought guidance.
Throughout most of his ministry, Father Hartle served as the spiritual assistant for the Poor Clare Nuns of the Holy Name Federation, a ministry to which he dedicated himself since 1989.
In a video recorded a few years ago, Father Hartle summarized his Franciscan vocation in one word: love.
“The Franciscan journey is an adventure in love, falling in love with God and opening yourself up and being receptive to God’s love for you,” he said.
Father Hartle was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul (Virginia) Hartle. He is survived by his siblings, Martha Siegel, Gary (Marcia) Hartle, Bruce (Cheryl) Hartle, Emerson Hartle, and David (Stacy) Hartle; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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Obituary: Franciscan Father Thomas Hartle, former Butler pastor, 81 #Catholic –
Franciscan Father Thomas Hartle, of St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., died on Feb. 5 while in Aruba. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
During his 49 years as a friar, Father Hartle was known as a compassionate retreat leader and pastor, with a wonderful sense of humor and a deep joy.
Born on Christmas Eve, 1944, in Clarion, Penn., Father Hartle came from a large family that included parents Urban and Bessie (née Myers) Hartle and six siblings. He grew up in Pennsylvania and was educated there, including at Immaculate Conception High School in Clarion and Gannon College in Erie.
On May 20, 1971, Father Hartle was ordained a priest at 26 years old for the Diocese of Erie, Penn. He then discerned a vocation to religious life as a Franciscan and was received into the Order of Friars Minor in 1975, professing first vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1979 and served at the St. Francis Retreat Center in Rye Beach, N.H., until 1990.
Father Hartle was then assigned to reside at the St. Francis Friary Novitiate in Brookline, Mass., and continued to offer spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops at various locales.
In 1994, he joined the team at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Andover, Mass.
From 1999 to 2008, Father Hartle was pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Butler, N.J., where his compassionate leadership and pastoral care deeply impacted the parish community.
During his ministry spanning more than five decades, Father Hartle conducted numerous pilgrimages to Italy, helping the faithful connect with their spiritual heritage. He was widely respected for leading retreats and days of recollection focused on Franciscan themes, sharing his wisdom and spiritual insights with all who sought guidance.
Throughout most of his ministry, Father Hartle served as the spiritual assistant for the Poor Clare Nuns of the Holy Name Federation, a ministry to which he dedicated himself since 1989.
In a video recorded a few years ago, Father Hartle summarized his Franciscan vocation in one word: love.
“The Franciscan journey is an adventure in love, falling in love with God and opening yourself up and being receptive to God’s love for you,” he said.
Father Hartle was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul (Virginia) Hartle. He is survived by his siblings, Martha Siegel, Gary (Marcia) Hartle, Bruce (Cheryl) Hartle, Emerson Hartle, and David (Stacy) Hartle; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.