A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Henry A. Lang, former pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine parish, Bayside, was celebrated Aug. 1 at the church. He died July 27 in the rectory. He was 92.
Born in Brooklyn, Father Lang was baptized in St. Michael’s Church, East New York. He attended St. John’s University, Brooklyn; and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I. He was ordained June 15, 1946 by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.
He served as an assistant at Sacred Heart, Cutchogue, L.I., 1946-53; St. Edmund, Breezy Point, 1953-57; St. Agatha, Sunset Park, 1957-67; Presentation B.V.M., Jamaica, 1967-76; and St. Bernadette, Dyker Heights, 1976.
In December, 1976, he was named pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine parish and served there until he retired as pastor emeritus in 1995.
Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgr. Martin Geraghty and Fathers Ronald D’Antonio and John Kwon.
“He was beloved by the people.” said Msgr. Geraghty, current pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine.
“Many parishioners have been coming to say how kind he was in different times of their lives. He was present. People saw him in the church.
“He was a very gentle quiet man. He cared about the people and the parish and he was a Yankees fan.
“He kept a regular schedule. He would wake up at 7 a.m. and say his prayers, then had his coffee.
“He always joined the priests for dinner at 6 p.m. and enjoyed the table fraternity,” he said.
“In the past few days many people came and shared memories of kindness he gave them in different parts of their lives.
“He would always be there. He wrote notes of his thoughts to people, even recently,” Msgr. Geraghty added.
Immediate survivors include his brother August Lang of Tennessee.
Burial was in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Bushwick.
When I was a kid at St. Agatha’s (1963 to 1971) we all loved Fr. Lang. He gave the best sermons of all the priests, and was especially good when he talked to the kids of St. Agatha’s.
We were all very sad when he was transferred in 1967.
Our family lived in the St Robert Parrish for 27 years. We were on parish counsel and PTA with him. He lead St. Robert’s in a very positive way. Today (for no apparent reason) I felt that something happened to him. When I googled his name I found out that he passed away. My sons (who are now adults) were altar boys for Fr. Lang. We respect all Fr. Lang has done for the people of St. Roberts. We extend our deepest sympathy to all who knew him and we appreciate all he has done as a priest and pastor. God Bless you Father Lang.