Obituary for Bishop Joseph R. Cistone Our loving and caring Shepherd was called to his Heavenly home Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at age 69 years. The son of the late Daniel Cistone, Sr. and Josephine (Altomare) Cistone, Joseph Robert Cistone was born May 18, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His Seminary formation and education were completed at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania, earning his Bachelor of Philosophy in 1971 and a Master of Divinity in 1975.
He was ordained May 18, 1975 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by John Cardinal Krol. Bishop Cistone served as Assistant Pastor at numerous parishes in Philadelphia including Epiphany of Our Lord, St. Jerome, St. Jude, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Bernard. He was Chaplain of St. Maria Goretti High School, Advocate for the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Newman Chaplain at the Delaware Valley College of Science and Defender of the Bond for the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Bishop Cistone’s other assignments included Dean of Formation, Theology Division at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Bishop Cistone was named Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on March 4, 1998. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Titular Bishop of Casae Mediane on June 8, 2004.
His Episcopal Ordination took place July 28, 2004 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He also served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the following capacities: Associate to the Vicar for Administration, Assistant Vicar for Administration, Vicar General and Vicar for Administration, Defender of the Bond, Admissions Board for the Permanent Diaconate Program, Archdiocesan Admissions Board, Council of Priests, College of Consultors, Archdiocesan Finance Council (Chair), Priest Personnel Board, Archdiocesan Education Fund and Board of Trustees (Vice Chair) for St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Bishop Cistone was appointed Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw on May 20, 2009 and was installed on July 28, 2009.
For the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Cistone served on the following committees: Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, African American Affairs, Budget and Finance, Catholic Relief Services as well as the Audit Committee on Budget and Finance. Bishop Cistone served on other boards including the Board of Directors of the Michigan Catholic Conference, the Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma Finance Committee, the Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center Advisory Board, Our Sunday Visitor Institute Advisory Committee and the Dow Company Community Advisory Panel. Surviving are two brothers, Daniel (Joann) Cistone Jr., Anthony (Margaret) Cistone; nieces and nephews, Joann (Mark) Chiavon, Daniel (Angela) Cistone III, Andrew Cistone; great-nieces, Stella, Alessandra, Francesca and Mariella.
Bishop Cistone was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Cistone, Sr. and Josephine (Altomare) Cistone. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Street, Saginaw, Michigan. The Most Rev.
Allen H. Vigneron, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit will be the principal celebrant and the homilist will be the Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington. Interment will take place in the Priest’s Section at Mt.
Olivet Cemetery in Saginaw. The community is welcome to attend the Rite of Reception of Bishop Cistone’s body at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 21, 2018 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption. Bishop Cistone will lie in state at the Cathedral on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Monday, October 22, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass, October 21, 2018 at the Cathedral will be celebrated as usual with the Most Rev.
Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Saginaw, who will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Evening Prayer will follow at 7:00 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, Morning Prayer will take place at 9:00 a.m., the Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary 3:00 p.m. and an evening Vigil Liturgy will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Cathedral Renovation Fund or The Daniel and Josephine Cistone Endowment Fund.
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