Rev. Msgr. Bernard E. Yarrish

Monsignor Bernard E. Yarrish, a resident of Little Flower Manor, died Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Monsignor Yarrish, son of the late Stanley A. and Blanche Kaminski Yarrish, was born in Wilkes-Barre on Jan. 8, 1951. He received his early education at Marymount Grammar School and Marymount High School. He graduated from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre in 1972. He completed his formation for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1976, by the Most Rev. Leo T. Maher, D.D., then Bishop of San Diego, Calif. Monsignor Yarrish remained in Rome to continue his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, receiving his Licentiate in sacred theology with a specialization in biblical theology in June 1977.

Monsignor Yarrish returned to the Diocese of Scranton and served as an assistant pastor at St. John’s in Wilkes-Barre; Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton; and Holy Family Parish, Scranton. He was appointed Assistant Chancellor and secretary to Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, DD.. on Sept. 6, 1977. Simultaneously, he served as adjunct lecturer in fundamental theology at the University of Scranton. He remained in his position as secretary to Bishop McCormick until Bishop McCormick’s retirement in 1983, assuming the same responsibilities under the seventh Bishop of Scranton, the Most Rev. John J. O’Connor, D.D. Monsignor Yarrish was appointed to serve on the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., serving as a local collaborator to Archbishop Pio Laghi, D.D., the first Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Monsignor Yarrish was named a Chaplain to His Holiness on July 10, 1990, and given the title of Monsignor. As his tenure at the Apostolic Nunciature was nearing its end, Bishop Timlin received a request from Monsignor Edwin F. O’Brien, then the rector of North American College in Rome. In answer to this request, Monsignor Yarrish was appointed to the faculty of the North American College in Rome on Aug. 27, 1991, where he served as Vice-Rector. Monsignor Yarrish was named a Prelate of Honor on July 14, 1996, by Pope John Paul II.

As Monsignor Yarrish’s health began to decline, he left his position as Vice-Rector of the North American College in 2000, after nine years of generous service, to return to his beloved home diocese and his appointment as pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Wilkes-Barre. It was during this time he served as dean of the Wilkes-Barre/Central South Deanery and was elected as the Region 4 Representative to the Council of Priests. He also served as an advisor to the Board of Continuing Education for Priests. On July 3, 2003, he was appointed Vice-Rector of St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton and, in addition, his tremendous knowledge of the Church in the United States led to his appointment as director of the Office of Continuing Education for Priests on Nov. 11, 2003. During the years after his return from Rome, Monsignor Yarrish also served as spiritual director for many of the diocesan priests. He has continued to serve his brother priests, often times by his courageous example of heroic service despite his failing health.

He is survived by two brothers, Stanley and wife, Nancy; and Joseph and wife, Mary; and several nieces and nephews.

A viewing will take place at Our Lady of Hope Parish at St. Mary of the Maternity Church, 40 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, on Sunday, June 10, 2018, from 2 to 5 p.m. Vespers will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Maternity Church, Wilkes-Barre, at 5 p.m., with the Rev. J. Duane Gavitt, Dean, presiding.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and co-celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Monday, June 11, 2018, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Maternity Church, Wilkes-Barre. A viewing also will take place prior to the 10 a.m. funeral Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary of the Maternity Cemetery, West Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at NationalMSSociety.org to aid in research for the disease at msfocus.org. D.D., on Sept. 6, 1977. Simultaneously, he served as adjunct lecturer in fundamental theology at the University of Scranton. He remained in his position as secretary to Bishop McCormick until Bishop McCormick’s retirement in 1983, assuming the same responsibilities under the seventh Bishop of Scranton, the Most Rev. John J. O’Connor, D.D. Monsignor Yarrish was appointed to serve on the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., serving as a local collaborator to Archbishop Pio Laghi, D.D., the first Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.