I’m convinced that if you traveled the country, you wouldn’t find a community as tight-knit as Dunmore. If you were at the Dunmore Community Center on Saturday, April 20th, you’d see why.
For the past 10 years, the annual Jog for Jude event has brought many people together to raise awareness and funds for S.I.D.S. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) research. The event honors Jude Zayac, who tragically passed away in July 2014.
Jog for Jude is a shining example of the Dunmore community rallying around one of our own and turning an unimaginable tragedy into an opportunity to inspire hope in all of us.
All photos courtesy of Liza Gillette Photography and used with permission.
Father David Cappelloni–pastor of SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, both in Dunmore–was raised by devout Italian parents. Going to Mass for the early 8 a.m. service was always a part of his family’s weekly Sunday tradition. There were six children, five of them boys, in the family.
Their local pastor at the time, Msgr Anthony Marra, would often ask Father Cappelloni’s mom if her sons could help in the parish. The annual pasta dinner would serve over 5,000 people. Homemade pasta, meatballs, bread, cannoli and drinks were served. Most of the women in the parish did the cooking.
And Msgr. Marra, who came often to the family home to play cards at night, inspired Father Cappelloni to enter the priesthood.
Msgr. Marra took him to visit St. Pius X Seminary in the diocese one day. Young David was captivated by it and later made the decision to enter the priesthood. But he first took a job in New York City working in a department store after his senior year in college. Then his calling came as he decided to go back to the seminary and become a priest.
Father Cappelloni has been pastor of Sts. Anthony and Rocco Parish, 303 Smith St., Dunmore, since 2007. He has been pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 322 Chestnut St., Dunmore, since June 2023. He is also in charge of St. Mary’s and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Father Cappelloni is Dean to the Deanery covering many parishes in the area. It covers parishes from Olyphant to Moscow. Father Cappelloni said he feels his best accomplishment is celebrating the Mass and Eucharist and experiencing the Body of Christ.
He is also responsible for many of the buildings owned by the three parishes. He is also chairman of many of the parishes’ societies and committees. He serves as the religious representative for the Dunmore Bucks football team. He has led the team in prayer before every game for the past 17 years.
Father Cappelloni received a bachelor of science degree in Human Services from the University of Scranton in 1981 and he also earned a master of science in Psychology from Marywood University. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1986 after receiving a Master in Divinity from Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, PA.
“My ongoing goal is to bring both of these Dunmore parishes together into the community,” he said. “I want to bring them together and work together as one community of parishes in Dunmore. I want to see them come together as a church. It’s a great way to build and unify the community. We have a great spirit between the two churches and it’s very positive.”
Known for his love of Italian cooking, he is the pastor for the annual Sts. Anthony and Rocco Festival held each August in the Bunker Hill section of Dunmore. The festival features a wide variety of ethnic foods dating back to over a century.
Father Cappelloni said the annual Sts. Anthony and Rocco Festival will be held on the parish grounds August 9-10-11.
“It really brings the people together,” he said. “It’s a great way to build and unify the community.
“It’s a festival where we all come together in a different way. We have over 100 volunteers helping each night. It is truly a community event.”
Connor Penasck is one of the sweetest six-year-olds you would want to meet.
And despite his very young age and zest for normal child play, Connor has endured quite a lot of health issues and hospital stays.
He was diagnosed at age three with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEOIBD) Ulcerative Colitis.
Over the course of the past two years, his disease has progressed, and it has been a struggle to find the right course of treatment for him.
Son of Jason and Danielle Pensack, Connor’s parents often found themselves feeling helpless. After one challenging hospital stay, they decided to create a foundation in Connor’s name that allowed the family to spread awareness about VEOIBD and put forth fundraising efforts to raise money for needed research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It is there where Connor is fortunate enough to receive excellent care from doctors who are second to none in their field.
Connor’s mom is the curriculum coordinator for the Dunmore School District. Born and raised in Dunmore, she is a former fourth and fifth grade teacher at the Dunmore Elementary Center.
The second annual Connor Cup will be held Saturday, July 13, at Pine Hills Country Club. Last year the Connor Pensack Foundation raised $15,839 through this fundraiser. The hope is that this year’s tournament will be even bigger and better as more funds are raised for continued research.
Inflammatory bowel disease is the fastest growing autoimmune disorder for children younger than age five.
Each year, the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia treats more than 1,800 young patients who suffer from abdominal pain, intestinal inflammation and other symptoms of this often-debilitating disease.
The past few years produced an explosion of knowledge about the genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and expanded treatment options. Today, expert gastroenterologists, geneticists and researchers work together to evaluate each child’s DNA and microbiome with the goal of developing truly personalized medicine, Walk for Hope funds these discoveries taking us one step closer to a cure.
Connor Pensack is shown with his parents (Jason and Danielle), and his siblings, from left: Connor, Cole, 10, and Cooper, 7, and Sadie, 12.
Connor’s mom said he was originally diagnosed at the Geisinger Danville Children’s Hospital and then again at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “He was having loose stools 12 to 15 times a day,” she said. “There was blood and mucus in his stools daily.
“It all happened in the blink of an eye on a Monday night. He woke up out of a dead sleep with a high fever shaking and mumbling. After a long and uncomfortable night, we knew he needed immediate medical attention. Since then, there have been many stays at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“He has good and bad days now. Some days are better than others. We try to make the best of the situation.”
Connor, 6, is in kindergarten at South Abington Elementary School.
“His school is very accommodating. His teachers are in constant communication with us.”
Connor’s mom credited Dr. Judith Kelsen for her research work of VEOIBD at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Connor was recently chosen as an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelpia.
The Walk for Hope fundraiser will take place Sunday, June 9, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Those wishing to donate to the Connor Pensack Foundation can mail checks to: Connor Pensack Foundation, 503 Hickory Lane, South Abington Township 18411 or directly to First National Community Bank, 269 E, Grove St., Clarks Green, PA 18411.
Proceeds from Connor Pensack Foundation fundraisers will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia VEO-IBD research.
