Pakistani Deacon Will Be Remembered As a ‘Loving, Humble, God-Fearing’ Man
Deacon Anwar Iqbal, a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Brooklyn who served at the Parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Feb 18. He was 66.
He was born on June 4, 1954, in Pakistan.
Deacon Iqbal was ordained on May 25, 2019, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights and assigned to ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Windsor Terrace.
He held a master’s degree in Theology.
A member of the Charismatic Renewal movement since the 1970s, he was chairman of the Catholic Charismatic in Pakistan and also Youth director of the Archdiocese of Karachi.
“Anwar was ministering long before he was ordained to the diaconate. He welcomed those who came into the church, prayed with the sick and worried, advised people with problems. Our parishioners really loved him,” said Father Thomas Leach, pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven, Mill Basin, where Deacon Iqbal was a sacristan for the last several years and an active lay leader as a lector, acolyte, and Eucharistic minister, as well as being involved in youth ministry.
At the end of his funeral Mass at Mary Queen of Heaven Church, before the Final Commendation, his son Francisco said about his father in a very moving brief eulogy, “Today I’m here to summarize the great life of one of the most loving, pure at heart, humble and God-fearing people that I have known in my life.”
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Theresa, and his son Francisco, 24.
His burial was held at Gora Qabristan Cemetery, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sister Patricia Ann Regan, CSJ, formerly Sister Francis Agnes, a member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph for 69 years, died on Jan. 6.
She entered the congregation on Sept. 4, 1952, from her home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bushwick.
She earned her BA from St. Joseph’s College and also studied at Wesleyan University, teaching Science at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead.
Her ministries included St. Brendan’s in Brooklyn (1954-65), Holy Child Jesus, Richmond Hill (1965-66), St. Gabriel’s, East New York (1966-67), Sacred Heart Academy HS, Hempstead (1967-80), Our Lady of the Snows, Floral Park (1980-2000), Our Lady of Sorrows, Corona (2000-2006).
Sister Pat ministered to young children and their families, revealing God’s gentleness and compassionate love. She was committed to excellence tempered with gentleness, peace, and joy.
Her funeral Mass took place in Sacred Heart Chapel on Jan. 13, followed by her burial in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.
Sister Linda Vdorick, CSJ, formerly Sister Theodore Marie, a member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph for 58 years, died on Jan. 4.
She was born in Brooklyn and attended St. Edmond’s High School. She entered the congregation on Sept. 8, 1962, from her home parish of St. Rose of Lima, West Midwood.
She earned her LPN from Huntington Hospital School of Nursing, and in 1974, she earned an RN degree from Kings County Hospital School of Nursing. She continued her education at St. Joseph’s College, where she earned her BS degree in Community Health in 1985.
Her ministries included St. Joseph Convent, Brentwood (1962-68), St. Joseph’s Hospital (1968-70), Maria Regina Residence (1970-71), Kings County Hospital (1971-77), Long Island Jewish Medical Center (1977-85), Mary Immaculate Hospital (1985-86), and Catholic Charities (1986-91).
Her funeral Mass took place in Sacred Heart Chapel on Jan. 7, followed by her burial in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.
