Obituary of Msgr. William Wamboldt

of Rev. Msgr. William John Stanislaus Wamboldt, JCD WAMBOLT, Rev. Msgr. William John Stanislaus, JCD - Priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax, Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Bridgewater, died at home in St. Joseph's Rectory, on Saturday, March 15, 2008, after several weeks of illness. Born in Halifax on October 11, 1942, to William Henry and Mary Dolorosa (Burke) Wamboldt, he received his early education in Halifax and Dartmouth and completed undergraduate studies at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, while living at Bishop Burke House. He was ordained to priesthood by Most Rev. James M. Hayes, Archbishop of Halifax, at St. Genevieve's Church in East Chezzetcook on May 30, 1970. He graduated from St. Paul's University in Ottawa in 1970 with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and a Master of Theology. In 1974 he began advanced studies in Canon Law at St. Paul's, and at the same time was appointed Secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio for Canada. From 1975-78 he attended the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, and graduated from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1978 with a Doctorate in Canon Law, magna cum laude, and a diploma in Diplomatic Studies and International Law from the Vatican Diplomatic College. In his first years of priesthood, he served as assistant in the Halifax City parishes of St. Patrick's, St. Joseph's and St. Stephens. He then served the Holy See, as Secretary for the Nunciature in Bangladesh (1978), Charge d'affaires at the Nunciature in Dacca (1979) and Chaplain of Honour to His Holiness. Returning to the Archdiocese of Halifax, he assisted in St. Catherine's Parish, Halifax, and St. John Vianney Parish, Lower Sackville, until 1981, when he began 14 years as Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Fall River. He then served as Pastor for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Rockingham (1995 – 2001) and, after a sabbatical, became pastor at St. Joseph's Parish in Bridgewater, St. Norbert's, Lunenburg, and St. Matthew's, Elmwood. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree. In addition to his service in parishes, Msgr. Wamboldt served the Archdiocese of Halifax as Chancellor (1980-1986), Coordinator of the 1984 Visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Canonical Advisor to the Archbishop, and Associate Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocesan Marriage Tribunal. He taught Canon Law to Roman Catholic seminarians, diaconal candidates, and lay students at Atlantic School of Theology for several years. He was highly respected for his pastoral application of canon law and his compassionate spirit, giving good advice to others in the diocese who depended on his wise counsel. Msgr. Wamboldt is survived by his sisters and their husbands and children, Sheila (Edgar) Wadden, Porters Lake; Marie (Edmond) Lorette, Elizabeth (Richard) Martin, Linda (Lewis) Goodyear, Darlene (Russell) Pettipas, all of Chezzetcook. He was always "Uncle Boo" to Lise, Danny, Scott, Jackie, Gregory, Stephanie, Billy, Stephen, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Meagan and Mackenzie. He was predeceased by his parents, and his nephew, Christopher Martin. Visitation will be in the chapel below St. Joseph's Church, 123 Pleasant St., in Bridgewater, Sunday, March 16 from 7-9 p.m., and on Monday, March 17, beginning at 2 p.m. The Evening Prayer Vigil will take place in St. Joseph's Church on Monday evening at 8 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated in the church on Tuesday, March 18, at 11 a.m., Most Rev. Anthony Mancini, Archbishop of Halifax, presiding. Committal will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. Funeral arrangements are through Sweeny's Funeral Home, Bridgewater.