The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Rev. Msgr. Joseph R. Sobiesiak, 80, into eternal life on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, while under Hospice care following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.  Monsignor Sobiesiak was a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, who relocated to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 2016, residing full-time in Citrus County, where he provided assistance in both English and Spanish to local parishes over the past ten years.

“Monsignor Joe,” as he was commonly known, was ordained for the Diocese of Allentown on May 15, 1976. During his nearly 50 years of priestly ministry, he served in parishes throughout his home diocese, making occasional visits to Citrus County beginning in 2011, assisting with Masses and confessions during vacation breaks until his permanent move to Florida five years later. In recent years, he regularly used a walker and would sit throughout the Mass but was faithful to offer a helping hand to parishes throughout the Citrus Deanery for as long as his health allowed. He was also a regular attendee at deanery meetings and diocesan events, even though he was not officially assigned to a parish and had no obligation to attend. Still, he enjoyed the camaraderie of meeting and dining with his brother priests and was often a steady support and mentor to them. Parishioners in Pennsylvania and Florida will fondly remember his kind smile and friendly nature.

There will be three Funeral Masses for Monsignor Sobiesiak in the parishes where he frequently served in Citrus County. The days, times, and locations are as follows:

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 6:00 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 7040 S. Suncoast Blvd. (U.S. 19), Homosassa.

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1460 W. St. Elizabeth Place, Citrus Springs.

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 6 Roosevelt Boulevard, Beverly Hills.

Burial will take place in Pennsylvania at a later date.

Please keep Monsignor Sobiesiak’s family members and loved ones in your kind thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed by the mercy of God, rest in peace!