The Parish Community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel extends a heartfelt thank you to parishioners Mike Prelee and Pete Tierney for making our 10 A.M. Mass special each week by their dedicated and ongoing service. No Mass is complete without their welcoming smiles!
Pete Tierney
Pete and Liz have been married for 56 years, raised three children (all of whom graduated from OLMC), and are the proud grandparents to three granddaughters. They have been parishioners for 45 years.
Their service to our community began when their children attended school. Pete and Liz served as co-presidents of the Parents Guild and worked to bridge both the school and parish communities with fundraisers and social events. Pete also served as the president of the Board of Education, attended deanery meetings, and was treasurer of the Boy Scouts. When asked for their most memorable moments from their years of school service, they both agree that the friendships they formed over 40 years ago are still vibrant and cherished today.
Pete’s career as a tax collector spanned over two decades before he retired. But he wasn’t retired for long! That’s when his service to our parish community began. Frank Tarsney quickly recruited him to volunteer at the Office of Concern Food Pantry at St. Cecilia Church, a ministry that he continues to this day.
Pete and Liz were also part of the team that was entrusted with counting the weekly collection, a role they had for over 14 years up until the pandemic. Perhaps his most visible role is usher at the 10 o’clock Sunday Mass. Pete greets each parishioner as they enter, escorts them to a seat if needed, takes the headcount, helps with the collection, and, on your way out, will hand you a bulletin and thank you for coming.
Mike Prelee
How many years are you and Arlene parishioners?
Over 40 years.
How many children/grandchildren do you have?
The Prelee family includes five children, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Career
I grew up in Sharon, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. I began my broadcasting career in my hometown at the age of 17. I was on the air at the local station. I later became a journalist and news director at various stations including many in the mid-West, then in New York (WNEW, WHN, NBC, and Mutual Broadcasting), with various overseas assignments. I also enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War broadcasting on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Overall, I covered major news stories worldwide for over 60 years. I retired in 1993.
Service to OLMC Parish/School Community
I served as a lector for about 40 years and am still ushering. I try to welcome and smile at everyone, especially the children, as they arrive and leave Mass. I thank them for coming to Mass and enjoy the smiles as I hand out the bulletins.
Hobbies
Hobbies include model trains and playing the piano. I love music and have played an instrument since I was in the sixth grade, along with my brothers who were both professional musicians. I still play piano several times a week.
Anything else you would like to share?
I will be 94 on March 31, 2023!