Father Michael P. Bafaro, 92

Father Michael P. Bafaro, 92, of Worcester, long-time pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 28, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester. 

Father Mike was born in Worcester, son of the late, Victor and Rose S. (Pingatore) Bafaro, and has lived most of his life here.  He went to Worcester Classical High School and in 1945, he entered Saint Thomas Preparatory Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut; he then entered the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal, Canada and in 1949 he matriculated at Seminario Vescoville Pordenone, Udine, Italy.  In Concordia, Italy on June 28, 1953, Most Reverend V. DeZanche D.D. ordained Father Bafaro into the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church.

Upon his return to Worcester, Father Bafaro was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in East Millbury, where he served until June 1955 when he was named curate at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Worcester.  In 1964, Father Bafaro moved to the Diocese of Sicuani in Peru, under Bishop Nevin W. Hayes, where immersed himself with the people and their culture, spreading the Word of Christ to those less fortunate.

Father Bafaro returned to Worcester in 1976 and was named coordinator for the Spanish Speaking Apostolate for the Diocese.  He was named pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Church in 1983 and in September of 1985 he was named administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Parish, and five months later named pastor, where he served the people of the parish and beyond until 2007, when he was named a senior priest of the Diocese, retiring from active ministry.

Throughout his priesthood, Father Mike strove to deliver the message of Christ to all people. He was a founder of Centros Las Americas, receiving the organization's first life-time achievement award for his service to the Hispanic community. He served as chairman of the Affirmative Action Committee of Worcester; and was awarded the Eleanor T. Hawley Award from the City’s Human Rights Commission.

Father Mike founded the Pro Deo Club of Mount Carmel, where many social dances took place and many people remember his words to young couples as they slow danced …”leave room for the Holy Ghost.”  He was instrumental in the construction of the Mount Carmel Apartments on Shrewsbury Street for low-income and handicapped persons, and initiated construction of an addition to the parish center to house the Italian-American Cultural Center.  He served as president of the Worcester Community Cable Access television Station, where a studio was named in his honor to recognize his selfless dedication.  He received the Beacon Award from the Unitarian Church, as well as several Keys to the City. He was the author of the book “Stand Tall;” was a member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 168 and the Knights of Columbus.

Father Mike believed in the love of God and he cherished the love of his family and of his parishioners past and present.

Father Mike is survived by a brother, Victor V. Bafaro and his wife Paula of Mesa, Arizona; a sister, Genova “Jana”, wife of the late George Dagnese of Worcester; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephew, and cousins.  Father Mike was predeceased by his parents and his brother Alfred C. Bafaro.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Sister Maryann, Joan D’Argenis, and the wonderful caregivers at Christopher House for their continued loving care of Father Mike.

Father Bafaro’s body will lie in repose for Calling Hours on Wednesday, December 4, at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., where his family will receive relatives, friends, parishioners, and clergy.  There will be a Vigil Service at 7 p.m.

The Funeral Mass, with BIshop McManus as celebrant, will be on Thursday morning December 5, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester.  Interment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady Loreto Parish or the Priests' Retirement Fund, Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609.

Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel in Worcester, in honored to assist the Bafaro Family.